Garden State Plaza in Paramus — New Jersey’s most-visited mall, with 300+ stores — has announced a major redevelopment plan kicking off in early 2026. The project will add 550 luxury apartments, a one-acre public town green, and a new outdoor retail and dining district alongside the existing enclosed mall. Phase one targets completion by the end of 2027.
What’s Being Built: Phase One Details
The first phase of the Garden State Plaza redevelopment includes three major components:
- 550 luxury apartments integrated with the existing shopping center footprint, targeting residents who want walkable access to retail and dining
- A one-acre town green — a public outdoor gathering space designed to anchor community activity around the property
- A new outdoor retail and dining district — described as a “main street” feel, with everyday retailers, restaurants, and service businesses alongside the existing enclosed mall
Construction on phase one is expected to begin in early 2026, with a targeted completion date at the end of 2027. The existing mall will remain open and operational throughout the construction period, though visitors should expect some changes to the parking configuration near the construction zone.
Why Malls Are Going Mixed-Use
Garden State Plaza’s transformation reflects a broader shift in how America’s major shopping centers are reinventing themselves. The core challenge for large enclosed malls is traffic variability — peak foot traffic on weekends and holidays, but relatively thin weekday activity. Adding residential units directly addresses that problem by creating a permanent resident base that generates daily, year-round foot traffic.
The town green and outdoor district also respond to changing shopper preferences. Increasingly, consumers want destinations that feel like places — not just transactional retail environments. An outdoor main street with a park-like gathering space creates the kind of community feel that pure-retail shopping centers struggle to deliver. Furthermore, the outdoor format makes the expansion feel less like an extension of the existing mall and more like a genuine neighborhood addition.
The Bergen County Blue Laws Factor
One notable context for this redevelopment: Garden State Plaza and neighboring Paramus Park are closed on Sundays for retail due to Bergen County’s blue laws. That’s a significant constraint on a mall’s weekly earning potential — and it makes the case for residential integration even stronger. Residents living on-site don’t stop generating spending just because the retail stores are closed on Sundays. Restaurants, services, and community amenities can still operate.
For visitors planning a shopping trip, the Sunday closure remains in effect. However, American Dream Mall — just five minutes away in East Rutherford — is open on Sundays and offers a complementary destination if you’re in the area on a weekend. See our guide to which NJ malls are open on Sundays.
What Shoppers Can Expect in the Near Term
For current Garden State Plaza shoppers, the immediate experience doesn’t change significantly. The 300+ stores remain open, the anchor tenants (Nordstrom, Macy’s, Lord & Taylor) are in place, and the food court and dining options continue to operate. Additionally, the existing parking structure will be supplemented as the project progresses.
Pro tip: If you’re visiting Garden State Plaza and want to avoid the Sunday closure issue, plan for Monday through Saturday. Weekday mornings are the least crowded, which we’ve found makes for a significantly more enjoyable experience at a large, busy mall. And as always — zero sales tax on clothing and footwear across all of New Jersey.
Source: NJ.com — Garden State Plaza redevelopment announcement, 2026.
