Slated to break ground in late 2024, the transformation of Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus will include a town green that will integrate the mall with the new retail offerings and 550 luxury apartments at the crossroads of routes 17 and 4. — Courtesy: Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield
By Joshua Burd
The owner of Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus is offering a fresh look at its plan to reimagine the iconic mall, as it prepares for a late 2024 groundbreaking at the 30-acre site.
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, along with co-developer Mill Creek Residential, sought to highlight the planned town green that it says will integrate the mall with the new retail offerings and 550 luxury apartments at the crossroads of routes 17 and 4. The one-acre public space is on full display in new renderings and a virtual walkthrough released by the firms, as are the concepts behind the new shopping and dining options within the redevelopment.
“The focal point of the project is the town green, which when completed, will serve as a destination for the entire Paramus community while seamlessly connecting the existing mall with the new residential development,” said Stephen Fluhr, senior vice president of development for URW. “As part of our overall placemaking strategy, we intentionally included significant community and sustainability features — like the restored Sprout Brook and an outdoor marketplace — that aim to enhance the lifestyle of all Paramus residents.”
Spanning more than 2 million square feet, Garden State Plaza is one of the nation’s top-performing malls. URW announced last year that it would team with Mill Creek for its plan to bring apartments and mixed-use development to the site’s excess parking lots, as mall owners across the country look to reposition their properties.
The developers expect to welcome their first residents in 2027 under the first phase of the proposal, according to a news release. As part of the integration with the existing mall, the firms will introduce an outdoor district with restaurants and everyday conveniences and services that will bring a large degree of walkability to the newest offerings.
They also plan to focus on sustainability through the use of renewable energy, natural materials and increasing access to public transportation, retail and entertainment, according to a news release. Meantime, they expect the project to draw a multigenerational renter pool, as mixed-use settings increasingly do.
“We’ve been fortunate to develop similar high-quality, mixed-use environments across the country and through this experience, have seen the positive impact these developments can have on building a true sense of community,” said Russell Tepper, senior managing director of development for Mill Creek Residential. “We appreciate our partnership with URW and Paramus’ vision for sustainable growth.”
While phase one will focus on the development of luxury rentals and green space, URW is exploring the incorporation of a hotel, medical offices and senior living in future phases.
“We’re excited to see this project progress as it will provide benefits to a variety of constituents,” said Wesley Rebisz, senior general manager of Westfield Garden State Plaza. “For potential residents, the development will not only offer housing, but a sense of community and easy access to a host of amenities including retail, dining, and entertainment options. For the greater Paramus area, the development will provide a green space that we plan to activate with exciting family-friendly activities. The proximity to the mall will also offer the potential for increased foot traffic for our retailers.”
URW taps Mill Creek in plan for 550 rentals, public space at Garden State Plaza
