Listen to this articleThe basics:
- PRCP to refresh 1.2M-sf Bridgewater Commons‘ interiors and food court
- Updates include bright colors, modern art, new seating & interior landscaping
- Mall totals 1.2M sq. ft., with 94,000-sq.-ft. adjacent Village at Bridgewater Commons
- Leasing momentum features Kendra Scott, Alo Yoga, Fogo de Chão, Anthropologie & more
Pacific Retail Capital Partners acquired Bridgewater Commons two years ago with an eye toward updating and improving the Somerset County shopping mall.
Building on significant leasing progress since then, and in particular in 2025, PRCP announced Oct. 20 plans to refresh the Commons’ interiors.
The renovation will lean into light, bright colors and add modern art throughout. It will also reimagine the property’s center court and interior to better appeal to current customers evolving preferences. Additionally, on the second floor, PRCP said it plans to reorganize the food court.
With work set to begin presently, the venue says it expects to complete the changes in the second quarter of 2026.
“Bridgewater Commons has continued to strengthen its place as the dominant retail center for Somerset County,” commented PRCP Chief Creative Officer Annmarie Plenge. “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 details
The work at Bridgewater Commons aims to brighten and enliven the center, according to PRCP. It will bring:
- Updated lighting fixtures
- Lush interior landscaping
- Fresh paint and bannisters throughout the center court, department store wings and mezzanine levels
In the food court, new interior landscaping, a fresh color palette and artwork will complement updated seating. PRCP said it will set up “The Lounge” as well as “The Little Lounge,” designed to serve children and families with unique aesthetics and furnishings.
Bridgewater Commons debuted as Somerset County’s first shopping mall in 1988 with about 80 stores. It is situated at the nexus of Interstates 78/287 along with Routes 202, 206 and 22. Plenge described the mall as “pioneering” upon its arrival, featuring an open design and diverse retail mix. “We are now building upon that legacy,” she said.
As head of PRCP’s in-house design team, Plenge will oversee the refresh. The team’s work includes master planning and coordinating other PRCP properties, such as District Galleria in White Plains, N.Y.; Yorktown Center in Lombard, Ill.; and Queen Kaʻahumanu Center in Maui, Hawaii.
The Martin Architectural Group and Unified Construction Group will serve as architect of record and general contractor, respectively.
Big plans
PRCP’s acquisition of the 1.2 million-square-foot mall and adjacent 94,000-square-foot open air The Village at Bridgewater Commons marked its entrance to the New Jersey market.
“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 PRCP. “After a highly successful two years highlighted by our many leasing wins, we’re ready to take the next step to reimagine this property to better align with consumers’ shopping, dining and entertainment needs.”
In December 2022 – before PRCP’s acquisition was announced the next May – Bridgewater Township passed an ordinance to amend the types of businesses allowed in the Bridgewater Regional Center Zone where the mall sits.
However, those plans will not include housing, according to the township.
The move expanded permitted uses at the Commons to include “establishments for games, entertainment and/or amusement.” Such businesses, per the ordinance, are limited to an aggregate combined gross leasable area of 90,000 square feet — the same minimum square footage the existing ordinance allowed for the “major department stores” at the regional shopping center.
According to the measure, the request was made by the owner of the mall, and it will serve to “help attract and maintain tenants and merchants that will serve residents and support the local economy.”
The mall declined to comment beyond the press release regarding plans for the property’s shuttered Lord & Taylor department store, the mall’s occupancy rate or estimated costs for the refresh.
New for you
Under PRCP, Bridgewater Commons has drawn new occupiers and experienced significant leasing momentum recently.
Ownership says it executed more than 87,000 square feet at the property. Newest tenants include:
