Westfield Garden State Plaza
A super-regional shopping mall in Paramus, New Jersey, and one of the largest retail destinations in the New York metropolitan area.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Westfield Garden State Plaza, officially Garden State Plaza, is a super-regional shopping mall in Paramus, Bergen County, New Jersey. The property occupies a strategically important location at the junction of New Jersey Route 4 and Route 17, near the Garden State Parkway and approximately 15 miles west of Manhattan. It is owned and managed by Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield and serves shoppers from northern New Jersey, New York City, and surrounding suburban communities. The mall opened on May 1, 1957, as New Jersey's first suburban shopping mall. Developed for R.H. Macy & Co., it began as an open-air shopping plaza with Bamberger's as its principal department-store anchor, 17 additional stores, and approximately 5,500 parking spaces on a 110-acre site. Its opening attracted about 75,000 shoppers, establishing the property as a major regional retail destination. The mall benefited from cross-border shopping by New York residents, who were drawn by New Jersey's comparatively favorable treatment of clothing purchases and lower sales taxes at the time. Garden State Plaza expanded in several major phases. A second stage opened in 1958, adding JCPenney and other retailers, while a Gimbel's department store was completed in 1960. During the 1970s and early 1980s, the property was enlarged and gradually enclosed, converting its open-air circulation areas into an indoor mall in response to competition from newer enclosed shopping centers. Additional retail space was created from former access and truck-tunnel areas. Westfield acquired the mall in 1986 from Macy's in a transaction that also included Brunswick Square Mall and Quaker Bridge Mall. A major 1996 redevelopment added more than 700,000 square feet of retail space, two parking garages, an enlarged JCPenney, and new luxury anchors Neiman Marcus and Lord & Taylor. A subsequent expansion completed for the mall's 50th anniversary in 2007 introduced an entertainment and lifestyle wing with an AMC multiplex, specialty shops, and additional parking. Further investment included the reconstruction and enlargement of Parking Garage B in 2013 and a 55,000-square-foot Fashion District in 2014. The tenant mix has continued to change as department stores and specialty retailers have adjusted to shifts in the retail industry. JCPenney closed in 2018 and its former anchor space was subdivided among apparel, athletic, entertainment, and family-oriented tenants. Best Buy relocated from the mall in 2018, Lord & Taylor announced the closure of its store in 2020, and a revived Toys R Us concept operated at the property from late 2019 until early 2021. As of August 2022, the principal anchors were Macy's, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and AMC Theatres. The property has approximately 2.1 million square feet of leasable space and around 300 stores, placing it among the largest shopping malls in the United States. It is also economically significant to Paramus: the mall reportedly contributes about 10% of the borough's property-tax collections. Its operations are shaped by Bergen County and Paramus Sunday-closing laws, under which most retail activity is suspended on Sundays, although restaurants and the cinema remain accessible through designated entrances. Since April 2023, visitors under 18 have generally required supervision by an adult over 21 on Friday and Saturday evenings. The mall also provides valet parking, electric-vehicle charging, Wi-Fi, mobility assistance, stroller rentals, family facilities, dining, entertainment, and connections to multiple NJ Transit bus routes. In 2019, the mall announced plans to explore mixed-use development around portions of its peripheral parking areas, potentially combining housing, dining, and retail. The project is intended to create a more town-square-like setting and contribute toward Paramus's affordable-housing obligations. Garden State Plaza remains an active flagship property within Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield's United States portfolio, combining large-sca…
History
Garden State Plaza was conceived by R.H. Macy & Co. after an earlier proposed joint project with Allied Stores was abandoned. Macy announced the development in May 1954 and created a subsidiary to own and operate it. JCPenney committed in 1955 to a large freestanding department store, and construction was carried out by Muscarelle Construction Company at a reported cost of $26 million. The mall opened on May 1, 1957, as New Jersey's first suburban shopping mall. Its initial configuration was an open-air plaza anchored by a three-story Bamberger's department store, with 17 other stores and 5,500 parking spaces. A ceremonial opening included local officials and a fundraising activity for the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, later known as the March of Dimes. Nineteen further stores opened during the first year. Stage II followed in 1958 with JCPenney, Mack Drug, Safeway, and Neisner's. Gimbel's acquired a site in 1958 and opened a major three-story store in 1960. The mall quickly became a regional draw, particularly for shoppers from New York communities across the state line. By 1961 it was described as the world's largest mall. Beginning in 1975, a multiyear enlargement and enclosure program added retail space and transformed the open-air plaza into a covered shopping center. A further 1981 project added a second level and more stores. The enclosure was completed between 1981 and 1984, partly in response to newer enclosed competitors such as Willowbrook Mall. Later in the decade, former service and truck-tunnel areas were converted into additional retail space. Westfield acquired the property in 1986 from Macy's. The former Gimbel's site changed ownership and branding several times, becoming associated with Hahne's before Nordstrom opened a new three-level store there in 1990. Lord & Taylor followed in 1991. The 1996 redevelopment was one of the mall's most consequential expansions, adding more than 700,000 square feet, parking garages, an enlarged JCPenney, Neiman Marcus, Lord & Taylor, and a food-court connection. A Venetian carousel became a recognizable amenity, although it was removed in 2016 to create space for performances and events. For the property's 50th anniversary, an entertainment lifestyle precinct opened in 2007 after local planning litigation was rejected by the New Jersey Supreme Court. The project included a 16-screen AMC cinema, specialty retail, and underground parking. Parking Garage B was rebuilt and expanded in 2013, followed by the Fashion District in 2014. These projects reinforced the mall's positioning as more than a department-store center by adding restaurants, entertainment, and experiential uses. The 2010s and early 2020s brought substantial tenant turnover. Best Buy relocated in 2018, JCPenney closed that year and its space was divided among new occupants, and the mall hosted one of the revived Toys R Us chain's smaller interactive stores from 2019 to 2021. Lord & Taylor announced its closure in 2020. At the same time, the owner pursued new uses for the property, including a proposed mixed-use district with housing, dining, and retail around the existing mall. The mall also adopted a supervised-minor policy in 2023 amid a broader trend among shopping centers to regulate unsupervised youth gatherings. Garden State Plaza operates within unusually restrictive Sunday-trading rules. Bergen County blue laws and Paramus ordinances keep most retail stores closed on Sundays, while restaurants and the movie theater operate with limited access. The mall remains a major transportation and economic hub, served by numerous NJ Transit bus routes and contributing a substantial share of Paramus property-tax revenue. Its scale, location, luxury anchors, entertainment facilities, and continuing redevelopment proposals have sustained its role as a leading shopping destination in the region.
- 2019
Mixed-use concept announced
[1]The mall announced plans to explore housing, dining, and retail development around peripheral parking areas.
- 2018
JCPenney closes
[1]JCPenney closed and its former anchor space was subdivided for multiple tenants.
- 2014
Fashion District added
[1]The mall opened a 55,000-square-foot Fashion District containing stores and restaurants.
- 2007
Entertainment wing opens
[1]A new lifestyle and entertainment precinct opened with an AMC multiplex, specialty stores, and parking.
- 1996
Major expansion completed
[1]A $200 million redevelopment added more than 700,000 square feet, parking structures, Neiman Marcus, and an enlarged retail program.
- 1990
Nordstrom opens
[1]Nordstrom opened a three-level department store on the former Gimbel's and Hahne's site.
- 1986
Westfield acquisition
[1]Westfield acquired Garden State Plaza from Macy's.
- 1960
Gimbel's opens
[1]A three-story Gimbel's department store opened as a major anchor.
- 1958
Second development stage opens
[1]The expansion added JCPenney, Mack Drug, Safeway, and Neisner's.
- 1957
Mall opens
[1]Garden State Plaza opened on May 1 as New Jersey's first suburban shopping mall, anchored by Bamberger's.
Products and positioning
Premium, super-regional shopping and entertainment destination serving northern New Jersey and the wider New York metropolitan area
Retail real estate · 1957
Shopping mall retail platform
The core offering is a large, enclosed shopping environment with approximately 2.1 million square feet of leasable space and roughly 300 stores. Its tenant base spans department stores, luxury fashion, apparel, athletic goods, beauty, electronics, specialty retail, dining, and services. The property functions as a regional destination rather than a neighborhood convenience center.
Entertainment and hospitality · 2007
Entertainment and dining precinct
Garden State Plaza complements its retail offer with restaurants, specialty food outlets, and AMC cinema facilities. The entertainment component was significantly expanded through the 2007 lifestyle precinct, helping the property compete for leisure visits as well as conventional shopping trips.
Mall services
Visitor services
Visitor amenities include valet parking, electric-vehicle charging, complimentary Wi-Fi, stroller rentals, wheelchair and mobility-scooter services, family lounge facilities, and private nursing areas. The mall is also served by multiple NJ Transit bus routes.
Controversies
Marketing campaigns
- 1957Opening-day polio-vaccination awareness fundraiser
United States
The formal opening included a fundraising and awareness activity supporting the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, later the March of Dimes, and promoting polio vaccination.
Outcome. The event connected the mall opening with a local public-health fundraising effort.
Brand decisions
2023
Adopt supervised-minor policyOtherBackground
The mall aligned with policies adopted by other shopping centers in response to concerns about unsupervised youth gatherings during peak evening periods.
Action taken
Visitors under 18 were generally required to be accompanied by an adult over 21 on Friday and Saturday nights, with separate access arrangements for the cinema and restaurants.
Aftermath
The policy generated local discussion about its scope and effectiveness.
2019
Explore mixed-use redevelopmentStrategyBackground
Changing retail patterns and Paramus's affordable-housing obligations created an incentive to use portions of the mall's peripheral parking areas more intensively.
Action taken
The mall announced a concept combining housing above ground-floor dining and retail, with a proposed town-square character.
Aftermath
The project remained a proposed future development, with construction timing subject to planning and execution.
1996
Large-scale luxury and entertainment repositioningStrategyBackground
The mall sought to enlarge its regional draw and attract upscale, fashion-oriented shoppers.
Action taken
A major redevelopment added more than 700,000 square feet, new parking structures, Neiman Marcus, an enlarged Lord & Taylor, and expanded tenant and food-service areas.
Aftermath
The expansion reinforced Garden State Plaza's position as a premium super-regional destination.
Redevelopment cost. $200 million (1996)
1975
Convert open-air plaza into enclosed mallStrategyBackground
The property faced increasing competition from newer enclosed shopping centers and sought to modernize its format.
Action taken
Management began a multistage enclosure and expansion program that ultimately covered the former exterior passageways and added retail space.
Aftermath
The project was completed during the 1981–1984 period and established the mall's modern enclosed configuration.
Project budget. $20 million (1975)
Recent events
- 2023
Mall introduces weekend supervision policy for minors[1]
Regulation · Other
Westfield Garden State Plaza announced that visitors under 18 would generally need supervision from an adult over 21 on Friday and Saturday evenings. The policy excluded or treated separately the AMC cinema and onsite restaurants.
- 2020
Lord & Taylor location scheduled to close[1]
Bankruptcy · Other
Lord & Taylor identified its Garden State Plaza store among locations slated for closure during the chain's withdrawal from traditional retail operations.
- 2019
Mixed-use redevelopment plans announced[1]
Other
The mall announced plans to investigate mixed-use development on portions of its peripheral parking areas, combining housing with ground-floor dining and retail.
- 2019
Toys R Us opens a new-format store[1]
Product launch · Other
A smaller, experience-oriented Toys R Us location opened at the mall as part of the brand's post-bankruptcy return to physical retail. The store closed in January 2021.
Sources2 sources
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