Pier Village in Long Branch — Courtesy: Pierson Commercial/Kushner Cos.
By Joshua Burd
Kushner Cos. has named Pierson Commercial as its retail leasing agent at Pier Village, the popular mixed-use, oceanfront development in Long Branch.
With the new assignment, the brokerage team is marketing a retail component that includes more than 50,000 square feet that was completed this summer. The new phase is already home to operators such as Salt Steakhouse, Hot Mess Studio, Baked Bear and Boardwalk Fun & Games Arcade, part of a site that houses 170,000 square feet of shopping, dining and entertainment space.
“Pier Village has become a bustling ‘South Beach-Style’ town center,” said Pierson Commercial Director Ryan Starkman, who is spearheading the leasing assignment. “It is the epicenter for dining, shopping, entertainment, hospitality and living.”
Located between Ocean Boulevard and the Atlantic Ocean, Pier Village spans 2,000 feet of beachfront property, drawing more than 2.3 million visitors annually. The development also includes 492 luxury apartments, 245 upscale condominiums and 91 hotel rooms.
Kushner and Pierson touted the property as a year-round destination, but one that also has a built-in population. Occupancy across its apartments is more than 98 percent, while 80 percent of the new condos at Pier Village were presold.
“We are excited to add Pierson Commercial as the retail leasing specialists to our best-in-class team,” said Nicole Kushner Meyer, principal of Kushner. “The Shops at Pier Village are coming alive and we are proud to welcome a diverse group of new retailers, restaurants and service providers to the neighborhood.”
The population growth in and around the complex has attracted a range of new local, regional and national retailers to Pier Village while also spurring expansions among current tenants, Pierson said. Recent leasing activities include an expansion by Salt Nation, formerly Sundaze, and the addition of tenants such as Robinson Ale House, Kahuna Burger, Mr. Wish and Hummus Republic.
“We are pleased to be named the exclusive leasing agents for Pier Village’s retail component, which continues to keep pace with the diverse lifestyle desires of area residents and visitors drawn to the area and its upscale amenities,” said Jason Pierson, president of Pierson Commercial. The firm’s other current and past leasing assignments include The Yard in New Brunswick and Newark properties including The Junction at Gateway Center, Ironside Newark and Shops at Hahne’s.
