Mall Will Add Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ-Owner Simon Property Group announced in September that it would redevelop and expand its 1.1 million-sf Quaker Bridge Mall here, and that project has just taken a major step forward. The Indianapolis-based Simon and its Kravco Simon Co. subsidiary have signed letters of agreement with Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom to add the two department stores to the center's anchor list. The two new stores and new smaller tenants will add a total of 600,000 sf to the mall.

"This is a milestone event for Quaker Bridge Mall," says Richard S. Sokolov, president and COO of SPG. "The addition of Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom and the renovation of the mall will transform this property. We are now embarking on the approval process that will enable us to accomplish this plan."

Quaker Bridge Mall, located on US Route 1 in the Princeton market, has a roster of anchors that currently includes JC Penney, Lord & Taylor, Macy's and Sears and has more than 100 smaller stores. It originally opened in 1976, underwent an expansion in 1995, and was added to SPG's portfolio in 2003 when that company acquired the Pennsylvania-based Kravco Co.

Besides the addition of Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and new smaller tenants, which haven't been announced yet but some of which may emerge in the wake of the annual Spring Convention of ICSC currently under way in Las Vegas, the existing Quaker Bridge is also getting a makeover. New structured parking is also part of the plan. The cost of the expansion/renovation hasn't been released.

"This is wonderful news," says Lawrenceville Mayor Michael Powers. "With the addition of retailers like Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom, Quaker Bridge should be the premier destination for shoppers."

According to details released by SPG, the Dallas-based Neiman Marcus, will occupy about 90,000 sf on two levels. Nordstrom will occupy about 144,000 sf, also on two levels, and both are expected to open in spring 2010. It will be the fifth Nordstrom store in the Garden State.