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Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, a Paris-based firm that is bringing 550 luxury apartments to Bergen County, on Aug. 22 announced Mill Creek Residential will serve as co-developer for the first phase of the Westfield Garden State Plaza “transformation.”

Anticipated to break ground in 2024 and slated to open to residents in 2026, the first phase will include construction of the apartments, which will be linked with a shopping center by a one-acre “town green.” There will also be a “main street” outdoor district featuring restaurants and other services. 

The plaza will boast sustainability features such as parks and greenspaces, green building construction, upgraded connectivity to public transportation, electric vehicle charging stations, and the restoration of a section of Sprout Brook. 

“Our bold vision for Westfield Garden State Plaza is about transforming the shopping center into a true town center where the local community can come together to live, shop, work, and play,” Geoff Mason, URW’s executive vice president, U.S. development, design and operating management, said in a statement. 

Mason said the partnership with Boca Raton-based Mill Creek Residential “will help bring this vision to life.” 

Robyn Cottelli, URW senior director of corporate communications, told NJBIZ that there will be four phases of the project. The firm is not disclosing the cost of the development.

As part of the project, Garden State Plaza — a 2.1 million-square-foot destination anchored by Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Macy’s and AMC Theatres — will be reimagined, with the surface parking areas to the west of the shopping center converted into the luxury apartments, plazas, parks, gardens, health and wellness amenities, commercial office space, as well as a transit center – alongside new outdoor shops, restaurants and community event spaces.