In 2018, the NewPark Place Specific Plan was green lit with the ambitious goal of revitalizing the NewPark Mall. Brookfield stepped up to the challenge, acquiring the mall and enlisting TCA to spearhead the master planning process. Over several years of collaboration, TCA worked closely with Brookfield Residential and Retail to forge a new vision for the area. Out of the original 1,030,000 square feet of mall space, approximately 430,000 square feet are slated for demolition, including anchors like JC Penny, Burlington, Inline Shops, and Sears. In their footprint, a fresh 220,000 square feet will be dedicated to a new Costco and a Retail co-working center.

The southern parking lots of the mall will undergo a transformation, making way for five new residential developments – three wrap and two podium structures – delivering a total of 1,519 units and accommodating roughly 2,800 residents who will support both existing and revamped retail spaces. Careful attention has been paid to vehicular circulation and service access to both retail and residential parcels. A key element of the plan introduces an activated retail/residential street, fostering a walkable and interactive environment with parks, plazas, and commercial outlets.

To address the reduction in retail square footage, parking will be replenished through the construction of two proposed podium structures. Convincing the city of Newark about the merits of this concept was crucial, so Brookfield entrusted TCA to create an experiential video fly through showcasing the new vision, emphasizing connectivity, retail offerings, and the residential master plan. The master plan was met with enthusiastic approval, signaling the transformation of a struggling mall into a dynamic and thriving concept.

Currently, TCA is focused on designing the first phase of residential development, which will comprise of 319 units.

Click to watch the video fly through!