New Jersey's struggling Raritan Mall faces potential redevelopment of a 276-unit apartment complex with retail space after years of decline.
A long-stalled plan to redevelop a deteriorating New Jersey shopping center is once again before local officials. The Raritan Borough Planning Board recently reviewed a new site plan application for Raritan Lofts, which calls for a five-story, mixed-use building that would replace much of the largely vacant Raritan Mall in Somerset County, roughly 45 miles southwest of New York City.
Submitted by Raritan Mall Urban Renewal LLC, the proposal outlines the demolition of the aging strip mall and the construction of a 70-foot-tall building featuring 276 rental apartments and 20,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space, according to planning documents. The project would include 42 affordable rental units. MAJOR RETAILERS ARE FLEEING ANOTHER POPULAR MALL A separate one-story building on the property would remain and be converted into retail space. The redevelopment marks the latest effort to revive the 10.88-acre site, which has struggled since its anchor tenant, Stop & Shop, closed in 2016, according to NJ.com. The shopping center is now largely vacant. A 2022 preliminary study described the site as "mostly abandoned" and "dilapidated," citing vandalism and flood damage, the local outlet reported. SHOPPING MALLS BETTER ADAPT TO MODERN TIMES TO AVOID TOTAL DEATH, SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR SAYS The hearing represents the newest push to revive a redevelopment plan that has stalled for years. After the Raritan Borough Council rejected an earlier redevelopment plan, the mall’s owner filed a lawsuit in August 2024. The $100 million suit alleged the vote involved a conflict of interest but was withdrawn in February 2025, NJ.com reported. The Raritan Mall’s decline also mirrors broader challenges facing traditional shopping centers nationwide. TRUMP SAYS AMAZON 'DESTROYING' SHOPPING MALLS, HOLLOWING OUT TOWNS GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, malls were losing ground as online retailers such as Amazon drew customers away from brick-and-mortar stores. Lockdowns then accelerated the decline by keeping shoppers home. Economic pressures stemming from inflation made matters worse with households tightening their budgets and spending less on discretionary items. FOX Business reached out to The Raritan Borough Planning Board and Raritan Mall Urban Renewal LLC for comment. FOX Business' Daniella Genovese contributed to this report.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
New Jersey is a rising hotspot for 'the hardest' St Paddy's Day celebrations: studyToday's Video Headlines: 03/10/26
Read more »
Strong storms could hit the New York, New Jersey area as warm weather continuesShowers and a few thunderstorms are expected to develop in the afternoon and evening as the warm weather continues across the Tri-State Area.
Read more »
Dog missing from Texas for 2 years found in New JerseyA dog missing for two years has been reunited with its Texas family after being found in New Jersey.
Read more »
4 dead in suspected New Jersey murder-suicide, prosecutors sayA domestic dispute in New Jersey turned deadly when a man chased the mother of his children down a street before killing her, as well as murdering her parents.
Read more »
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill wants to ban 'sketchy' surveillance pricingThe governor called the practice 'creepy AF' and 'sketchy.'
Read more »
New Jersey is among the states reviving a push to tax the richNew Jersey joins a handful of blue states, including California, Maryland and Minnesota in pushing towards implementing a higher tax for the rich.
Read more »