Roxbury Macy's demolished to make way for Ledgewood Commons

ROXBURY – A new open-air shopping mall is one step closer to reality with the demolition of the former Macy's department store building.

The work is the latest hurdle toward turning the Ledgewood Mall into The Shops at Ledgewood Commons. The mall is expected to open in 2019 with construction set to begin early 2018.

Roxbury Planning Director Russell Stern said traffic improvements, including turning lanes and signals, have been approved to provide easier access to the area. Once the New Jersey Department of Transportation signs off, possibly in December, developers will have the go-ahead to start building.

Demolition is the first step in “de-malling” the existing Ledgewood Mall, according to Bridgewater-based Advance Realty and Tampa-based DeBartolo Development. Those two companies, along with Atlanta-based Invesco, acquired the property in summer 2015 for a sale in the “high $20 million range,” according to Advance Realty managing director Christopher Bellapianta, who led the transaction for the joint-partnership.

“The demolition of this antiquated mall is an important first step in our plan to transform this prime commercial property into a place where locals can eat, shop and gather,” Advance Realty Founder and CEO Peter Cocoziello said. “We’re grateful and excited that Roxbury Township supports our vision for the property, and we look forward to taking the next steps in delivering a world-class shopping and dining destination to the community.”

The companies noted the mall’s high visibility on Route 10, convenient access to key roadways, and more than 2,000 parking spaces as reasons for the acquisition. That more than 100,000 people reside within a five-mile radius, with an average household income of more than $125,000, was also cited as a reason.

The 46-acre property was built in 1972 and includes three one-story buildings totaling 517,000 square feet. The 445,000-square-foot enclosed mall sits behind the property, while 60,000 and 12,000-square foot buildings are closer to Route 10.

“We could not be more excited to begin work building The Shops at Ledgewood Commons,” said Edward Kobel, DeBartolo’s President and Chief Operating Officer. “Retail properties around the country are undergoing a rapid evolution, and our plan for this formerly aging property will ensure it remains a vibrant destination for decades to come.”

At the time of the sale, Bellapianta said the property had been neglected for years. The mall has seen an increased number of vacancies in the past decade. Macy’s closed in 2015, and The Sports Authority, Pizza Hut, and Ruby Tuesday closed in 2016. Less than a dozen stores remain in the mall’s concourse, with more than two dozen empty and closed spaces.

According to the Ledgewood Commons website, Ashley Furniture, Marshalls, Men’s Wearhouse, Red Lobster, Walmart, and Wendy’s remain part of the project. Walmart, Marshall's and Ashley Furniture are the last anchor stores to the main mall.

Township officials believe tenants have already been signed, with rumors of specific businesses circulating through town, but developers are waiting for a “critical mass” of tenants to make an official announcement.

During construction, Barnes & Noble, currently a freestanding store set to be demolished, will move to the former location of The Sports Authority, located on a strip next to Men’s Wearhouse.

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The mall was previously owned by New York-based Armstrong Realty. Acadia Realty Trust of White Plains before selling to AC I Ledgewood LLC & Baltoro Capital Management for $37 million on May 9, 2011, according to the company website and Roxbury tax records.

Michael Testa, William Farkas and Shane Wierks of Jeffrey Realty are the exclusive leasing agent for the property, according to the Ledgewood Commons website.

Staff Writer Michael Izzo: 973-428-6636; mizzo@GannettNJ.com