A concept plan of the redevelopment shows the existing mall footprint and Boscov's to remain, with townhouses built around the existing parking lot. A "final concept plan" provided to 70and73.com by Voorhees Township is the same as this plan, showing the affordable apartments and parking garage in the upper left on Burnt Mill Road, near the Somerdale Road intersection. However, a site plan depicted on the Hoboken Brownstone website shows Macy's replaced by a parking garage and the affordable apartments in the lower right, near Laurel and Echelon Roads.
A massive redevelopment of the former Echelon Mall, now the Voorhees Town Center, that would include 317 townhouses and rental apartments was approved this week by the Voorhees Township Committee.
Hoboken Brownstone Company, a 45-year-old development company based in North Jersey, will be the redeveloper of the former mall that, according to the Township, will be transformed into:
- 207 market-rate townhouses
- 50 affordable for-sale townhouses and 60 affordable rental apartments
- Over 38,000 square feet of new commercial and entertainment space
- A multi-level parking garage offering 1,300 to 1,500 spaces
- New park areas, bike paths and landscaped public gathering spaces
- A 30,000-square-foot donation of indoor space to Voorhees Township for community use
An early concept plan shows the townhouses will be built in the parking lots around the mall with the existing mall footprint, and Boscov's department store, to remain.
"The project aims to reimagine the once-bustling mall into a walkable, family-friendly town center while preserving key community assets, including the Voorhees municipal complex," according to the Township announcement. The plan is for the property to be reborn as a "vibrant, mixed-use destination that will blend new housing, retail, and community spaces."
Township Administrator Stephen J. Steglik told 70and73.com on Thursday that Hoboken Brownstone is purchasing the former Echelon Mall property from Namdar Realty Group of Long Island.
The Township now owns space on the second floor of the Town Center for its offices, he said.
"For decades, the Echelon Mall was the heartbeat of our community — a place where families gathered, friendships were built, and memories were made," Mayor Michael Mignogna said in a statement. "While it has stood silent for too long, this redevelopment gives us the opportunity to bring that heartbeat back."
The redevelopment agreement, approved at the Committee meeting on Monday, states the redevelopment should have no less than 38,040 square feet of the gross leasable space of the former mall, including the Macy's building.
A venue for theater, concerts and shows may be included, according to the agreement.Â
