Construction on a long-awaited, mixed-use development that will bring a Whole Foods Market grocery store to Montgomery is set to begin in January 2023.

The project, which was approved Aug. 22 by the local planning board, calls for a 292,700-square-foot center and 34 single-family detached homes to be built on an undeveloped 54-acre parcel located along Route 206, just north of Princeton Airport. 

Other confirmed tenant leases at Montgomery Promenade include Tim McLoone’s dual concept restaurants Iron Whale and The Robinson Ale House, New York City’s Dor L Dor women’s apparel, Kirk Ruoff’s breakfast/lunch concept Turning Point Restaurant, More Than Q, European Wax Center, Spavia and Norman’s Hallmark, according to SJC Ventures, the Atlanta-based commercial development firm behind the project.

In a statement, SJC Ventures partner Jeff Garrison said, “We’re extremely pleased to be able to bring this project to fruition after working with community leaders and stakeholders to get it right for quite some time. The product that came from that intensive collaboration is something the community can be extremely proud of.”

According to SJC Ventures Senior Vice President of Leasing Justin Latone, the company is actively pre-leasing for the space and “still seeking high-end shops, services and additional dining for Montgomery Promenade to round out the carefully curated tenant lineup in place.”

Montgomery Promenade will include open green spaces, outdoor dining spots and palisades for walking, as well as infrastructure upgrades to make the area safe for pedestrians.

Construction at the site – which has sat undeveloped for more than 15 years – is scheduled to begin in January. The first tenants are expected to open during the summer of 2024, according to SJC Ventures.

“We’ve enjoyed being deeply engaged with the community to create a truly special and transformative project,” said Garrison. “The future of commercial space is looking beyond what the traditional mall used to be and creating centers of engagement where people can gather and work, dine and enjoy entertainment all in one place. Montgomery Promenade will be a sustainable catalyst for future investment in this area and a wonderful asset for the community.”