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A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Thursday, May 9 at the Monmouth Mall in Eatontown, developer Kushner said in a news release on Monday, May 13. The mall will be redeveloped into a modern center with luxury apartments, new retail options, and medical office space called Monmouth Square.
Kushner said the project to "de-mall" the property off Route 35 will bring a new purpose to the historic Monmouth Mall, which has been open for 64 years.
"This notable project will serve as a model for transforming underused malls into vibrant, community centers that cater to residents' lifestyle needs," said Kushner CEO Laurent Morali. "We are turning the traditional mall concept inside out, creating free-standing, easily accessible retail and dining spaces seamlessly integrated with a public green and new luxury apartments."
Monmouth Square will have more than 900,000 square feet of restaurants and shops, including a Whole Foods Market. There will also be 1,000 residential units, a large public green, medical office space, and walkways.
About 600,000 square feet of existing mall retail space will be demolished. That includes the former Lord & Taylor anchor tenant, which left in 2018, and JCPenney, which closed in 2022.
Whole Foods will move into the Barnes & Noble storefront and the bookstore will be relocated to a new building in the town center. Macy's, Boscov's, and the AMC movie theater will remain open during construction.
The luxury housing will be a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes. The community will also have its own 40,000-square-foot clubhouse.
The clubhouse's amenities will include a fitness center, spa, juice bar, pickleball court, half basketball court, and a golf simulator.
"This project is about more than just modernizing infrastructure; it is about fostering a vibrant, sustainable environment that enriches the experience for residents and visitors alike," said Kushner chief development officer Michael Sommer. "We are excited to lead this innovative endeavor, setting a new standard for adaptive reuse and community development."
Kushner, which has headquarters in Florham Park and New York City, is developing several projects throughout New Jersey. In Monmouth County, the company is building a development with 299 housing units, a SuperFresh grocery store, and a neighborhood cafe in downtown Long Branch.
Kushner is also planning a housing development in Colts Neck with 360 units in 15 three-story buildings.
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