Redevelopment to Bolster Somerset County Property’s Market-Leading Position
A new, 72,000-square-foot lease and in-center relocation by ShopRite marks the start of the next chapter for Blue Star Shopping Center in Watchung. As the property’s managing and leasing agent, Levin Management Corporation (LMC) is taking major steps to redevelop, renovate and re-tenant the 420,000-square-foot, destination retail property on Route 22.
LMC’s leasing team served as landlord representative in the lease transaction. Operated by Village Supermarkets, ShopRite has been a Blue Star tenant since 1980.
ShopRite will remain operational in its existing space at Blue Star while the new location is built; the grocer is expected to begin the ground-up development of its brand-new, larger store this summer. Following the relocation, LMC will reconfigure the vacated store to accommodate multiple tenants.
LMC secured land use approvals for this ambitious redevelopment project, and is spearheading a program of center-wide renovations to modernize Blue Star Shopping Center. This includes façade and common area updates, an extensive landscaping redesign, and the addition of outdoor seating. New lighting, parking lot refurbishments and the incorporation of infrastructure to support EV charging stations are also in the plan.
“Blue Star Shopping Center has long served as a preeminent Somerset County shopping destination,” said Maxim Gagneron, LMC’s vice president of construction and development. “We are thrilled to unveil the details of its bright future, centered on the addition of this state-of-the-art ShopRite. It is always gratifying to work with long-term tenants to accommodate their evolving needs. The end result will be a source of pride for property ownership, every Blue Star tenant and the entire community.”
Located on Route 22 between Terrill and Bonnie Burn roads, Blue Star Shopping Center is one of the most successful long-time retail destinations for area residents, serving a population of more than 254,000 people within a five-mile radius. The center draws more than 2.6 million visits annually, according to real time traffic data from Placer.ai.
Also anchored by Kohl’s and Marshalls, Blue Star Shopping Center houses an outstanding tenant lineup including Dollar Tree, The Children’s Place, Roma Salon, and Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa. Its well-rounded dining options include TGI Friday’s, Five Guys, Wendy’s and Arby’s.
