A multimillion-dollar redevelopment effort started last fall is already proving beneficial at West Orange Plaza.

New leasing commitments at the West Orange retail complex put the center on track – and its Phase 1 expansion – to full occupancy. Levin Management Corp. announced the progress March 18. LMC serves as leasing and managing agent for the property.

Located at 235 Prospect Ave., work at the Whole Foods Market-anchored shopping center kicked off last fall, following a new lease with Target. At the time, Levin said the redevelopment efforts would take the complex from 296,500 square feet to 311,500 square feet over a multiphase plan.

Last month, Dogtopia opened a 5,000-square-foot location at West Orange Plaza. The new store offers pet day care as well as boarding and a range of spa services. The growing category leader is on pace to launch more than 400 centers by 2026. Fast-growing brand Club Pilates will also join the roster as part of the redevelopment, LMC said.

Leasing Representative Ed Vasconcellos III arranged the Dogtopia and Club Pilates leases on behalf of West Orange Plaza ownership. JLL Managing Director David Townes and Vice President Alana Friedman (with Cushman & Wakefield at the time of the transaction) represented Dogtopia. RIPCO Real Estate Executive Vice President Florian Suserman repped Club Pilates.

“We are seeing, firsthand, the momentum that redevelopment can bring at West Orange Plaza, in the form of sustained interest among best-in-class, expanding retailers,” Vasconcellos said.

“The addition of two strong, nationally recognized brands like Dogtopia and Club Pilates underscores the success of our efforts to secure this shopping center’s position as a preferred retail destination. We look forward to announcing more new leases – curated to align with evolving consumer demands and elevate the property’s appeal – in the coming months,” he continued.

Totaling approximately 25,000 square feet, six further leases are in negotiations – with additional letters of intent in process. Levin said that activity could fill available in-line spaces at the site, as well as the new under construction, and soon to be at work, outparcel buildings.

Located just off Interstate 280, at the corner of Eagle Rock and Prospect avenues, West Orange Plaza serves a 3-mile population of more than 165,000 people and draws more than 2.6 million annual visits, LMC said citing Placer.ai real-time traffic data.

LMC’s in-house construction management team is overseeing the construction work at West Orange Plaza as an owner’s representative, including common area improvements in addition to the new outparcel development. The retail property’s joint venture ownership came up with he redevelopment vision, planning and orchestration, Levin said.