Transformative Housing and Retail Expansion at Garden State Plaza Set to Begin Demolition in Paramus

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Paramus NJ,  the highly anticipated construction of a new housing and retail expansion at Garden State Plaza is slated to begin next year. However, the initial phase of the project, involving demolition to clear the way for this mega-development, is about to commence.

In recent days, workers have erected a fence around the former Best Buy and Bank of America locations at the mall in Paramus. According to Amy Stern, a spokesperson for the Westfield Garden State Plaza, these buildings will be torn down starting in early August to make room for additional parking spaces.

This demolition will create 180 new parking spots, addressing some of the spaces that will be lost to accommodate the thousands of new residents expected from the expansion.

Significant Housing Additions

The ambitious project aims to add up to 1,400 residential units to the site, alongside new shops, a hotel, a senior care facility, and a park-like “town green.” This development is expected to create a vibrant new community hub within Paramus.

Following the approval of the first stage by Paramus’ planning board in January, the mall is collaborating with development partner Mill Creek Residential Trust LLC to finalize design drawings for the proposed buildings and green space. Megan Redzia, another spokesperson for the project, indicated that groundbreaking is anticipated in early 2025.

First Phase Details

The initial phase will feature two five-story mixed-use buildings with 575 housing units located in the mall’s western parking lot, along with approximately 50,000 square feet of retail space. This phase will also introduce a 1-acre town green designed for outdoor markets, dining, and gatherings, promoting it as a new “downtown” area for Paramus.

Developers envision the green as a communal space for farmers markets, holiday markets, and art fairs, accessible to all, not just the new residents.

Future Project Phases

Preliminary site plans for future phases were also approved in January, with final approval required from the Planning Board for each subsequent phase.

• Second Phase: This phase includes a five-story, 250,000-square-foot building for a senior assisted-living and memory-care facility with 230 units, additional retail space, a two-story medical office building, and a six-story parking garage.
• Third Phase: Plans for this phase feature a seven-story, 85,000-square-foot hotel, a regional bus transit center, a 286,000-square-foot, five-story residential building, more retail space, and another six-story parking garage.
• Final Phase: The last part of the project will add two more five-story residential buildings with an additional 2,500 square feet of retail, surrounded by a third six-story garage.

This expansive development marks a significant transformation for Garden State Plaza and the broader Paramus community, promising to bring new life and economic opportunities to the area. Stay tuned for more updates as the project progresses.

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