Quaker Bridge Mall Renovations Underway

Editor’s Note: The following is a news release that was issued earlier this month on behalf of Simon Property Group, owner of Quaker Bridge Mall in Lawrence Township.

Simon Property Group Inc., the world’s leading retail real estate company, announced that Quaker Bridge Mall, a major Central New Jersey shopping destination for 37 years, will undergo a major redevelopment. Work has already begun behind the scenes to create a property well-positioned for the future.

Simon will bring a completely revamped tenant mix at Quaker Bridge Mall along with a significantly upgraded merchandise selection in the categories of apparel, accessories, and home furnishings.

The extensive renovations will include new interior and exterior features and amenities such as a new food hall, upgraded escalators, an elevator, updated restrooms, redesigned mall entrances, landscaping, new flooring, ceiling and handrails among other items.

Quaker Bridge Mall Renovation

Specific projects include:

• A contemporary food hall including eight new restaurants with amenities such as soft seating, landscaping, and skylights.
• The arrival of The Cheesecake Factory and an upscale Italian restaurant. The Cheesecake Factory is projected to open in the fall of 2012 and will accommodate 229 diners inside the restaurant as well as 64 patrons in an outdoor patio setting, in approximately 9,100 square feet. There will be an outdoor patio with a capacity of 64 patrons. The restaurant will employ 250-300 workers in full-time positions.
• Redesign of all mall entrances and updated outdoor signage and landscaping. New monument signs at each mall entry will be part of this package.
• Landscaped soft seating areas added throughout the mall for customer comfort.
• Redesign of hand railings to include contemporary glasswork.
• Cosmetic upgrades to the texture and color palette of the entire property.
• New carpet and flooring installed throughout the mall.
• New rest rooms including family restrooms.
• Redesign of the mall’s common areas with new ceilings, new finishes and lighting.
• Replacement of escalators in Macy’s court and a new escalator in JCPenney court.
• New elevator in the Lord & Taylor court.
• New graphics on directional signs throughout the mall.

“This renovation will better serve the needs of our loyal customers,” said Quaker Bridge Mall Manager Lynda Benedetto, “whether they are here to shop, dine, to be entertained, or just to enjoy a welcoming and comfortable environment.

“Moreover,” Benedetto continued,“this transformation will be attractive to both current and prospective tenants, several of which will be new to our market. We’re already working on lease commitments with new tenants in conjunction with the renovation plans. With new tenants and a renovated mall, we feel we can truly launch Quaker Bridge to the next level.”

All work related to the renovations will be performed in a manner that will minimize interference or customer inconvenience during the mall’s operating hours.