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The more than $500 million effort to turn Monmouth Mall inside out – and into Monmouth Square – is progressing, with Kushner revealing several new commercial tenants joining the property.

Totaling nearly 50,000 square feet, the leases include Whole Foods Market, which was previously set to take over the old Barnes & Noble spot in Eatontown. Other businesses lined up, according to a March 11 announcement from Kushner, include:

• Cava – Nationwide fast-casual Mediterranean concept known for its customizable and fresh offerings
• Offshore Coffee – Local brand from Long Branch blending quality and charm with a refined café experience
• Prince Street Pizza – Renowned New York City pizzeria with a cult following for its bold flavors and balance between crunch and chewiness
• STRONG Pilates – High-intensity, low-impact fitness studio combining Pilates principles with cardio-focuses rowing workouts
• Van Leeuwen Ice Cream – Premium dessert brand know for its rich, French-style recipes that also offers vegan options made with cashew and oat milks

According to the New York-based real estate development and management firm, the additions reflect top-tier specialty brands selected for their ability to enrich the community’s lifestyle. Additionally, the slate brings Monmouth Square’s 990,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space to 75% pre-leased, Kushner said.

Boutique real estate and hospitality advisory firm BOND RP manages the Monmouth Square leasing program.

“At Monmouth Square, we are assembling a tenant mix that responds to the changing preferences of today’s consumers while enhancing the quality and variety of offerings for the area,” said Kushner President Nicole Kushner Meyer. “These leading retailers and restaurants reflect our commitment to attracting the best operators, ensuring a destination that surpasses expectations and has a lasting impact on the community.”

Open for business

Kushner broke ground on the Monmouth Square redevelopment last spring. The project aims to preserve, enhance and reimagine the community staple of more than 60 years. Before, occupancy levels at the indoor shopping mall dwindled to around 60%, according to reports, as department store JCPenney shuttered its spot there in 2022.

The site’s “de-malling” into an open air, mixed-use concept will reduce the overall retail component by 40%, comprising free-standing spaces for shopping, dining and medical; a public green; pedestrian pathways; and 1,000 luxury apartments.

Take a look: Monmouth Square

Opened in 1960 as a 600,000-square-foot open air center, Monmouth Mall is tearing down walls. Click through to see what the reimagined space will look like.

“Monmouth Square’s transformation is advancing with purpose, bringing together best-in-class retail and dining options that align with our vision for a vibrant, mixed-use community,” said Kushner Chief Development Officer Michael Sommer. “The construction and leasing progress reflects both our team’s expertise and the strong partnerships we’ve built to execute a project of this scale and significance. We’re excited to see Monmouth Square take shape as a destination that sets a new standard for adaptive reuse and community development.”

With its 40,000-square-foot location, Whole Foods will anchor the project. Speaking at the Monmouth Square groundbreaking ceremony last year, Sommer said, “The Whole Foods deal was the official validation of our vision for this project.”

Recent progress on the transformative project includes the opening of Barnes & Noble’s new location within the center, including an updated B&N Café. Demolition is underway in addition to extensive infrastructure improvements, Kushner said. All the while, remaining retailers AMC Theatres, Macy’s and Boscov’s continue to operate.

Minno + Wasko Architects and Planners, Benoy and the Dietz Partnership lead architectural design for the project, located off Route 35, and 1 mile from Exit 105 of the Garden State Parkway.