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Bridgewater Commons mall will undergo a major interior renovation expected to be completed next year, the property’s owners announced. The renovation will feature a redesigned food court, updated lighting fixtures, interior landscaping, and fresh paint throughout the 1.2 million-square-foot shopping center. Work will begin this month with minimal disruption to customer traffic, according Pacific Retail Capital Partners, which purchased the mall in 2023. “Bridgewater Commons has continued to strengthen its place as the dominant retail center for Somerset County,” Annmarie Plenge, chief creative officer at Pacific Retail Capital Partners, said in a statement. “Now we are giving our community an upgraded experience designed for their convenience and enjoyment, evolving it for the next generation of retail, dining, and entertainment.” The food court renovation will organize seating into sections called “The Lounge” and “The Little Lounge,” designed as a welcoming space for children and families with unique furnishings and playful aesthetics, officials said. The space will also feature new interior landscaping, a fresh color palette and artwork. Additional improvements include modern art throughout the center, updated lighting fixtures and fresh paint and bannisters in the center court, department store wings, and mezzanine levels. Plenge, who heads acific Retail Capital Partners in-house design team, will oversee the renovation, with local firms The Martin Architectural Group and Unified Construction Group serving as architect of record and general contractor. The new owners have completed 87,000 square feet of leases to retailers, restaurants, and service providers, including Kendra Scott, Alo Yoga, Fogo de Chão, Miniso, Pop Mart, JD Sports, Millburn Deli, Club Champion, Big Chicken, Face Foundrié, Pure Green and Summit Medical. “We acquired Bridgewater Commons with the intention of evolving an already dominant property into one of the top performing malls in all of New Jersey,” said Steve Plenge, founder and CEO of Pacific Retail Capital Partners. Bridgewater Mayor Matthew Moench welcomed the “exciting news” in a statement. “Bridgewater Commons is not just a place to shop; it’s at the economic and social core of our town,” he said. Bridgewater Commons opened in February 1988 and is located along Interstate 287 at the intersections of Route 22 and Route 202/206.
