Monmouth Mall Rebirth Brings Trendy Retailers, Luxury Living

The transformation of Monmouth Mall into an open-air destination called Monmouth Square is taking shape as Kushner Cos. announces several new high-profile tenants that will join the $500 million redevelopment project. The ambitious overhaul will blend retail, dining, leisure, and residential living in a pedestrian-friendly town center concept.

Five additional trendy retailers and eateries have committed to the project, joining Whole Foods Market as anchor tenants in the reimagined shopping destination. According to Kushner Cos., the development has now reached 75% of its pre-leasing goal for the 990,000-square-foot retail and restaurant space.

New Dining and Lifestyle Destinations

The latest additions to Monmouth Square include a mix of established New York City favorites and wellness-focused businesses. Prince Street Pizza, known for its thick-cut Sicilian slices from its original Manhattan location, will bring its acclaimed recipes to New Jersey shoppers.

Cava, a fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant chain that has expanded rapidly nationwide, will offer its signature bowls and pita wraps. The addition of Van Leeuwen Ice Cream brings a premium Brooklyn-born brand known for its French-style recipes made with high-quality ingredients to the development.

Local coffee purveyor Offshore Coffee will establish a presence in the new complex, while STRONG Pilates will introduce a fitness studio combining Pilates principles with cardio-focused rowing workouts on custom-designed Rowformer machines, according to Asbury Park Press.

“At Monmouth Square, we are assembling a tenant mix that responds to the changing preferences of today’s consumers while enhancing the quality and variety of offerings for the area,” Nicole Kushner Meyer, president of Kushner Cos., said in a prepared statement. “These leading retailers and restaurants reflect our commitment to attracting the best operators, ensuring a destination that surpasses expectations and has a lasting impact on the community.”

Reimagining the Traditional Mall

The redevelopment, which broke ground last spring, represents a significant evolution from the traditional enclosed shopping mall format that has struggled nationwide in recent years. The project will reduce the mall’s retail footprint by approximately 40 percent, creating a more modern, experiential shopping environment.

Several established tenants remain operational during the transformation, including AMC, Macy’s, Boscov’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, LensCrafters, and the Senior Citizens Activities Network. Barnes & Noble recently relocated within the property to accommodate the ongoing construction work, as reported by Asbury Park Press.

Whole Foods Market, which had previously been announced as a key anchor tenant, will occupy a 40,000-square-foot space in the development. The natural foods grocer has been expanding its footprint throughout New Jersey in recent years and represents a significant draw for the property.

Residential Component

Perhaps the most substantial change to the property is the addition of 1,000 luxury apartments, transforming the site from a pure retail destination to a mixed-use community. This residential component aligns with nationwide trends of repurposing mall properties to create live-work-play environments that offer greater resilience against e-commerce competition.

The apartments will be integrated into the development’s open-air concept, which will feature an expansive public green space designed to foster community gathering and outdoor activities. This design approach, created through collaboration between Minno + Wasko and retail architects Benoy and the Dietz Partnership, aims to create a more walkable, community-oriented experience, according to New York YIMBY.

Strategic Location

Monmouth Square enjoys a prime location in Eatontown off Route 35, less than a mile from Exit 105 of the Garden State Parkway. This accessibility has been a key factor in attracting both commercial tenants and prospective residential occupants, positioning the development as a regional destination rather than merely a local shopping center.

The $500 million investment represents one of the largest redevelopment projects in Monmouth County in recent years. Kushner Cos. secured $451 million in financing last year to fund the massive overhaul, demonstrating significant confidence in the project’s long-term viability.

Timeline and Expectations

While specific completion dates have not been announced for all phases of the project, the new retail components are anticipated to open next year. The development is progressing in stages to allow existing tenants to continue operations during construction.

Retail analysts view the project as a test case for mall redevelopments nationwide, with many traditional shopping centers facing similar challenges adapting to changing consumer preferences. The integration of residential units with experiential retail and dining options represents an increasingly common approach to revitalizing these once-dominant commercial properties.