Forrestal Village
Encyclopedia
Forrestal Village is a 720000 square feet (66,890.2 m²), 52 acres (210,436.7 m²) mixed-use retail and office complex in Plainsboro Township, New Jersey
along Route 1
. It is just north of Princeton University
's Forrestal campus, and is named for James Forrestal
. The center is anchored by Can Do Fitness (an upscale chain of fitness centers in the northeast) and a Westin hotel. In recent years, it has suffered a sharp decline, turning into a dead mall
. Renovations and rebranding as an "office" complex are underway to bring customers back. The center has spawned some development in the area, including an adjacent office complex and several apartment and condo communities, including Princeton Windrows, which is right across the street.
was completed at the intersection to ease the congestion of the then-planned center. The center's developer ultimately paid for the intersection after a two year battle against the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
.
Designed by Sasaki Associates of Watertown, Massachusetts
, and Bower Lewis Thrower/Architects of Philadelphia, the initial goal of the center was to "Create a retail mix that will not just bring people in every few weeks like the regional malls do".
When it opened, it contained nightclubs, several restaurants, a 300-room Marriott
hotel, an indoor food court, and many upscale stores, all set up in an open-air Main Street
-style village area. To lure "everyday" shoppers, a barbershop, a tailor and custom shirt shop, a shoe repair establishment, an express mail operation and a video rental store were also opened.
Since the area was surrounded by competitors, such as downtown Princeton, Palmer Square
, and the Quaker Bridge Mall
, it wasn't as successful as planned. As many of the upscale tenants moved out, the owners brought in outlet stores and the Forrestal Village became an outlet mall. The concept was successful for a brief period.
In 2003, the owners, The Praedium Group, sold the center for $39.6 million to the Gale Company. In 2007, the mall rebranded itself as mainly an office and professional complex with some retail stores, mainly for the office workers. By that time, the Marriott, which moved across Route 1 to the site of the former Scanticon Hotel, was replaced with a Westin. The first change was the Can Do Fitness, which opened up in the 60000 square feet (5,574.2 m²) "Market Hall" building, which includes a Koi Spa, physical therapy center, nail salon, and other small retail stores inside. Also, Luxe Home, a furnishings store, relocated to the center from Princeton's Palmer Square
.
Several restaurants, such as the Salt Creek Grille and Ruth's Chris Steak House
have also opened. The food court, which was relocated from the Market Hall to an area in the main retail area, only has four current tenants, a Subway
, a Pizza Place, an Asian Cuisine vendor, and a Deli. Most of the other tenants in the retail spaces are offices and services.
Plainsboro Township, New Jersey
Plainsboro Township is a township in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2000 United States Census, the township population was 20,215.Plainsboro was incorporated as a township on May 6, 1919...
along Route 1
U.S. Route 1 in New Jersey
U.S. Route 1 is a United States highway which parallels the East Coast of the United States, running from Key West, Florida in the south to Fort Kent, Maine at the Canadian border in the north. Of the entire length of the route, of it runs through New Jersey...
. It is just north of Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
's Forrestal campus, and is named for James Forrestal
James Forrestal
James Vincent Forrestal was the last Cabinet-level United States Secretary of the Navy and the first United States Secretary of Defense....
. The center is anchored by Can Do Fitness (an upscale chain of fitness centers in the northeast) and a Westin hotel. In recent years, it has suffered a sharp decline, turning into a dead mall
Dead mall
A dead mall or greyfield is a shopping mall with a high vacancy rate or a low consumer traffic level, or that is dated or deteriorating in some manner. Many malls in the United States are considered "dead" when they have no surviving anchor store or successor that could serve as an entry into or...
. Renovations and rebranding as an "office" complex are underway to bring customers back. The center has spawned some development in the area, including an adjacent office complex and several apartment and condo communities, including Princeton Windrows, which is right across the street.
History
Princeton Forrestal Village broke ground in 1986 on land leased from Princeton University, at Route 1 and College Farm Road. A cloverleaf interchangeCloverleaf interchange
A cloverleaf interchange is a two-level interchange in which left turns, reverse direction in left-driving regions, are handled by ramp roads...
was completed at the intersection to ease the congestion of the then-planned center. The center's developer ultimately paid for the intersection after a two year battle against the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is the United States' largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to health and health care; it is based in Princeton, New Jersey. The foundation's mission is to improve the health and health care of all Americans...
.
Designed by Sasaki Associates of Watertown, Massachusetts
Watertown, Massachusetts
The Town of Watertown is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 31,915 at the 2010 census.- History :Archeological evidence suggests that Watertown was inhabited for thousands of years before the arrival of settlers from England...
, and Bower Lewis Thrower/Architects of Philadelphia, the initial goal of the center was to "Create a retail mix that will not just bring people in every few weeks like the regional malls do".
When it opened, it contained nightclubs, several restaurants, a 300-room Marriott
Marriott International
Marriott International, Inc. is a worldwide operator and franchisor of a broad portfolio of hotels and related lodging facilities. Founded by J. Willard Marriott, the company is now led by son J.W. Marriott, Jr...
hotel, an indoor food court, and many upscale stores, all set up in an open-air Main Street
Main Street
Main Street is the metonym for a generic street name of the primary retail street of a village, town, or small city in many parts of the world...
-style village area. To lure "everyday" shoppers, a barbershop, a tailor and custom shirt shop, a shoe repair establishment, an express mail operation and a video rental store were also opened.
Since the area was surrounded by competitors, such as downtown Princeton, Palmer Square
Palmer Square
Palmer Square is a collection of shops, restaurants, offices and residential spaces in Princeton, New Jersey. Originally built in 1936-1939 by Edgar Palmer, heir to the New Jersey Zinc fortune, the Square was created by architect Thomas Stapleton in the Colonial Revival style as the town's...
, and the Quaker Bridge Mall
Quaker Bridge Mall
Quaker Bridge Mall is a two-level, major shopping center located in Lawrence Township, New Jersey, on U.S. Route 1 near Interstate 295. The mall opened in 1975, and has over 120 retail establishments. Owned by Simon Property Group, the mall's anchor stores include J.C. Penney, Lord & Taylor,...
, it wasn't as successful as planned. As many of the upscale tenants moved out, the owners brought in outlet stores and the Forrestal Village became an outlet mall. The concept was successful for a brief period.
Revitalization
By the late 90's, the center was almost dead. Some changes were made, including the opening of the Tre Piani restaurant and a new office building on the site.In 2003, the owners, The Praedium Group, sold the center for $39.6 million to the Gale Company. In 2007, the mall rebranded itself as mainly an office and professional complex with some retail stores, mainly for the office workers. By that time, the Marriott, which moved across Route 1 to the site of the former Scanticon Hotel, was replaced with a Westin. The first change was the Can Do Fitness, which opened up in the 60000 square feet (5,574.2 m²) "Market Hall" building, which includes a Koi Spa, physical therapy center, nail salon, and other small retail stores inside. Also, Luxe Home, a furnishings store, relocated to the center from Princeton's Palmer Square
Palmer Square
Palmer Square is a collection of shops, restaurants, offices and residential spaces in Princeton, New Jersey. Originally built in 1936-1939 by Edgar Palmer, heir to the New Jersey Zinc fortune, the Square was created by architect Thomas Stapleton in the Colonial Revival style as the town's...
.
Several restaurants, such as the Salt Creek Grille and Ruth's Chris Steak House
Ruth's Chris Steak House
Ruth's Chris Steak House is a chain of more than 121 steakhouses across the United States and in several international locations. The restaurant is regarded as an upscale fine dining establishment, marking a gradual elevation in its status since its founding in the 1960s...
have also opened. The food court, which was relocated from the Market Hall to an area in the main retail area, only has four current tenants, a Subway
Subway (restaurant)
Subway is an American restaurant franchise that primarily sells submarine sandwiches and salads. It is owned and operated by Doctor's Associates, Inc. . Subway is one of the fastest growing franchises in the world with 35,519 restaurants in 98 countries and territories as of October 25th, 2011...
, a Pizza Place, an Asian Cuisine vendor, and a Deli. Most of the other tenants in the retail spaces are offices and services.
Current Tenants
| A.G. Edwards/Wachovia Securities LLC | Koamtac Inc | |
| AARP AARP AARP, formerly the American Association of Retired Persons, is the United States-based non-governmental organization and interest group, founded in 1958 by Ethel Percy Andrus, PhD, a retired educator from California, and based in Washington, D.C. According to its mission statement, it is "a... |
LUXE Home | |
| Adecco | Maloy Risk | |
| AIG AIG AIG is American International Group, a major American insurance corporation.AIG may also refer to:* And-inverter graph, a concept in computer theory* Answers in Genesis, a creationist organization in the U.S.* Arta Industrial Group in Iran... Investments |
Mariner Investment | |
| Ajilon | Model N | |
| AllenPort | Monday Morning Flowers | |
| Allstate Allstate The Allstate Corporation is the second-largest personal lines insurer in the United States and the largest that is publicly held. The company also has personal lines insurance operations in Canada. Allstate was founded in 1931 as part of Sears, Roebuck and Co., and was spun off in 1993... NOTO Insurance |
NAFA | |
| APEX Group Holdings Inc | NCS Pearson | |
| Apple One | NERC | |
| Beacon Management | Oxford Princeton Programme | |
| Beauty Land BLC | Patient Marketing Group | |
| Bonworth | Piazza & Associates Inc | |
| Calico Homes | PLC | |
| Cando Fitness Center | Pride Tech | |
| Charter Private | Princeton Art Gallery | |
| China Chen Village Grille | Prineton Dance & Theater Studio | |
| Clear Horizons Inc | Princeton Partners | |
| Cody Eckert & Associates | Princeton Partners Health | |
| Comag Marketing Group CMG | Qugen | |
| Custom Strategy Consulting | Randstad North America L.P. | |
| David Lerner Associates | Reed, Smith, LLC | |
| Dennigan Cahill | ReMax Greater Princeton | |
| Digital Group | Right Management | |
| Directravel | Ruth's Chris Steak House Ruth's Chris Steak House Ruth's Chris Steak House is a chain of more than 121 steakhouses across the United States and in several international locations. The restaurant is regarded as an upscale fine dining establishment, marking a gradual elevation in its status since its founding in the 1960s... |
|
| Document Depot | Salt Creek Grille | |
| ECHL ECHL The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States... |
Shawnee Chemical | |
| Edible Arrangements Edible Arrangements Edible Arrangements is a U.S.-based franchising business that specializes in fresh fruit arrangements, melding the concept of fruit baskets with design inspired by the floral business.-History:... |
Silver Shop | |
| Ergonomic Group | Skura Ltd. | |
| Exquisite Bride | Sovereign Investments | |
| Foxcom | Staffing Now | |
| Gallagher, Broidy, & Butler | Subway Subway (restaurant) Subway is an American restaurant franchise that primarily sells submarine sandwiches and salads. It is owned and operated by Doctor's Associates, Inc. . Subway is one of the fastest growing franchises in the world with 35,519 restaurants in 98 countries and territories as of October 25th, 2011... |
|
| Gymboree | Tapestry | |
| Harmony School | Teachers Insurance & Aunnuity/ TAII-CREF | |
| Hearx | Teryaki Boy | |
| Hip 2 | The Thomas Group | |
| Hollyrock Miller | Tre Piani Restaurant | |
| HQ Global Workplaces-Regus | Toscano, Clemens, Taylor/Thomas Grp. | |
| IFS | Valentino's | |
| Incremental Advantage | Village Convenience Store | |
| Intelliswift | ||
| Koerner Walker | Westin Hotel | |
| Pink Turkey | William Gallagher Associates | |