Built in the 1960s, Hamilton Plaza had served the Hamilton Township community for decades. By 2009, however, the aging center was facing significant leasing challenges. A major anchor closing left approximately 50,000 square feet of difficult-to-lease vacancy with limited frontage, while the center's previous ShopRite operator had also closed its store.
The vacancies presented an opportunity to rethink the property rather than simply refill existing space. Levin Management Corporation developed a strategy to secure a strong grocery anchor, reconfigure the center and position Hamilton Plaza for long-term success.
The Levin Solution
In 2010, LMC secured a long-term lease with Saker ShopRites for 80,675 square feet, bringing a new ShopRite operator to Hamilton Plaza and establishing the cornerstone for a major redevelopment of the property.
The Saker commitment enabled LMC to reconfigure the former retail space around a significantly larger, modern grocery store and undertake a $20 million center-wide transformation. The redevelopment included new facades, landscaping, pylon and monument signage, improved parking circulation and other site enhancements.
LMC also created new leasing opportunities through the redevelopment, including a 10,000-square-foot end cap initially occupied by Sleepy's and now home to Mattress Firm, along with additional pad-site opportunities.
And the evolution did not stop when the redevelopment was completed. LMC has continued to adapt Hamilton Plaza as consumer preferences and tenant demand have changed. A later drive-thru development brought Habit Burger to the center in 2024, while newer additions including Poke Bros. and Ivy Rehab have further diversified the tenant mix with dining and healthcare uses.
The Results
Today, Hamilton Plaza is 100% leased and attracts approximately 3.4 million visits annually. Its 80,675-square-foot Saker ShopRite has become a powerful traffic driver and is the most visited ShopRite in its local chain.
More than 60 years after Hamilton Plaza was first developed, the center remains a vibrant community shopping destination. Its evolution demonstrates how strategic leasing can serve as the catalyst for redevelopment — and how continued investment, leasing and hands-on property management can extend the life and relevance of an established retail asset for generations.
JOIN OUR TEAM
Make your move to Levin.
If you are looking for a career that stimulates and challenges, sparks creativity, fosters productivity and relationships, and provides opportunity for growth, Levin could be the place for you.
