Construction is underway at The Shops at the Crossings in Burlington Township, where The Ferber Co. plans to build a 1.9 million-square-foot industrial park and 30 acres of retail space at the former Burlington Center Mall property on Route 541. — Courtesy: Ferber
By Joshua Burd
A real estate firm has unveiled its plans for a three-building, 1.9 million-square-foot industrial park and 30 acres of retail space at the former site of the long-vacant Burlington Center Mall.
The Ferber Co., which has a regional headquarters in the Basking Ridge section of Bernards, said construction and site work are underway at what it calls The Shops at The Crossings along Route 541, part of a retail phase that reportedly will span 100,000 square feet. It’s working alongside lead developer MRP Industrial to complete the project in Burlington Township, aiming to revive a site that had been vacant since Sears, its last remaining tenant, closed in 2018.
In the process, it will look to capture the demand for modern warehouse and retail space, capitalizing on a location near Interstate 295 and the New Jersey Turnpike. The Ponte Vedra, Florida-based firm said operators such as Raising Cane’s, Panera Bread, Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, Discount Tire and Sleep Number have already committed to the project.
“We are currently working on construction of phase one of the project, with many of the tenants projected to open December 2023 and are hoping to confirm a possible medical office, dual-branded hotel, and/or fitness center for phase two,” said Justin Hollander, vice president and retail development lead with Ferber.
The firm noted that the property had been to the Burlington Center Mall since 1982. When Sears closed, Ferber said, township officials quickly collaborated on how to create a mixed-use development to improve the underutilized area for future use, approving the plans and demolishing the old structure in 2021.
Keith Seymour and David Goodman of Equity Retail Brokers represented Ferber in the first five retail deals at The Shops at the Crossings.
