Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield and co-developer Mill Creek Residential breaks ground on the first phase of a landmark transformation of Westfield Garden State Plaza into a vibrant, walkable town center in Paramus, NJ. The 13-acre mixed-use development will feature residential apartments, street-level shops and restaurants, parks and greenspaces, and a one-acre community green.

The groundbreaking ceremony took place on Wednesday, April 29 at the West Lot across from Neiman Marcus, located at One Garden State Plaza, Paramus, NJ 07652.

The long-anticipated Garden State Plaza redevelopment moved from planning to reality in 2026. Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW), a Paris-based real estate company, partnered with Mill Creek Residential as co-developer to transform the Westfield Garden State Plaza — one of New Jersey’s largest malls and a top-performing retail center in the United States.

First phase set to deliver 550 luxury apartment homes, targeted to open to residents in 2028. The apartments were designed to integrate with the shopping center via a one-acre town green, alongside a new main street outdoor district featuring restaurants and everyday conveniences. Future phases were also expected to bring a hotel, medical offices, and senior living, as part of a broader plan to evolve the mall into a mixed-use town center for the Paramus community.

Creating a Live-Work-Play Destination in Paramus

This project was first unveiled by URW in May 2019, with Mill Creek Residential joining the team in August 2022. Their vision is clear: transform the mall into a vibrant mixed-use property that will become the heart of the community. The new units, green spaces, and the existing retail, dining, and entertainment offerings all coming together in one dynamic space.

The redevelopment of Garden State Plaza reflects a broader nationwide shift in which aging retail centers are being reimagined as mixed-use districts that combine housing, entertainment, dining, and public space. Similar transformations are also advancing at San Jacinto Mall in Texas. Where developers are repositioning former mall properties into modern live-work-play destinations.

The first phase of the Garden State Plaza redevelopment project

First phase of this project initially envisioned 550 luxury apartments, but it has now grown by an additional 25 units.

However, the redevelopment isn’t just about apartments. The comprehensive plan includes three distinct mixed-use areas. The first of these areas features a 230-unit, 248,000-square-foot continuing-care facility for seniors, complete with 9,000 square feet of retail space on the ground floor. In addition, this zone will house a two-story, approximately 40,000-square-foot medical office building and a six-story parking garage, all integral parts of the Garden State Plaza redevelopment.

Read also: Austin Council Approves $1B Brodie Oaks Redevelopment Project

Another exciting facet of the plan involves the construction of a seven-story, 180-room hotel sprawling over 85,500 square feet. Accompanied by a 42,000-square-foot regional bus transit center, a 286,000-square-foot residential building, 2,550 square feet of retail space, and yet another six-story parking garage.

The third designated area in the Garden State Plaza redevelopment blueprint will boast two five-story residential buildings. Along with approximately 2,500 square feet of retail space, all ensconced within a six-story parking garage.

Additionally, the project’s master plan charts a course for an additional 809 multifamily units across three future phases. Potentially bringing the total number of apartments to an impressive 1,384. Of these, 112 units will be designated as affordable housing, a crucial aspect of the Garden State Plaza redevelopment.

The redevelopment of Garden State Plaza reflects a broader nationwide shift in which aging retail centers are being reimagined as mixed-use districts that combine housing, entertainment, dining, and public space. Similar transformations are also advancing at San Jacinto Mall in Texas. Where developers are repositioning former mall properties into modern live-work-play destinations.

Garden State Plaza Redevelopment – Factsheet

Project: Redevelopment of Westfield Garden State Plaza into a mixed-use “town center” district.

Developers: Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield and Mill Creek Residential

Scope: Multi-phase redevelopment of roughly 30 acres around the existing mall.

Key Features:

• 550 luxury apartments in Phase 1
• Potential long-term buildout of nearly 1,400 units
• Outdoor Main Street-style retail and dining
• One-acre town green/public gathering space
• Entertainment venues and pedestrian areas
• Sprout Brook restoration and green corridors
• Parking and infrastructure upgrades

Timeline:

• Vision unveiled: 2019
• Mill Creek partnership announced: 2022
• Approvals advanced: 2024–2025
• Groundbreaking: April 29, 2026
• First residential delivery expected: 2028

Why It Matters: One of New Jersey’s largest mall redevelopments, transforming a traditional shopping center into a walkable live-work-play destination with housing, public space, and experiential retail.