The Mills at Jersey Gardens

The Mills at Jersey Gardens
Name	The Mills at Jersey Gardens
Location	Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States
Developer	GlobeSt.
Owner	Simon Property Group
Number of stores	230+
Number of anchors	10
Floor area	1,292,000 sq ft
Public transit	New Jersey Transit

The Mills at Jersey Gardens is an enclosed outlet mall and shopping center in Elizabeth, New Jersey near Newark Liberty International Airport. Opened in 1999, it is one of the largest outlet destinations in the New York metropolitan area, drawing domestic and international shoppers from Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Jersey City, and surrounding counties. Owned by Simon Property Group, the center combines outlet retail, dining, and service tenants and serves as a commercial node connected to regional transportation networks.

History

The mall opened in 1999 on land formerly associated with industrial and transportation uses in Union County, New Jersey, developed amid late-20th-century retail expansion trends that included projects like Woodbury Common Premium Outlets and The Mills at Garden State Plaza concepts. The property’s development involved coordination with New Jersey Turnpike Authority, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and municipal officials in Elizabeth, New Jersey to leverage proximity to Newark Liberty International Airport and the New Jersey Turnpike. Over the 2000s and 2010s, tenant rotations reflected national retail cycles involving chains such as Nike, J.C. Penney, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, and Apple Inc.-related resellers, while ownership and management strategies aligned with practices at other Simon properties like King of Prussia Mall and South Shore Plaza. Post-2008 financial shifts and the COVID-19 pandemic prompted adjustments in leasing, health protocols influenced by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and collaboration with local entities such as Elizabeth Board of Education for community outreach events.

Architecture and Layout

Designed as a single-level, enclosed outlet format, the mall’s architecture integrates large-footprint anchor spaces similar to designs at Mall of America and circulation patterns found in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II-inspired retail planning. The layout features long retail corridors, multiple anchor pads, and a food court anchored by national brands like Chick-fil-A and The Cheesecake Factory-style tenants; exterior-facing outlet stores echo models used at Las Americas Premium Outlets. Structural design and materials choices adhered to regional building codes enforced by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and involved engineering firms familiar with commercial projects in Union County, New Jersey. Parking fields and pedestrian access zones were planned to accommodate connections to the New Jersey Turnpike and shuttle services coordinated with regional transit providers including Newark Liberty International Airport shuttle operations.

Retail and Tenants

The center hosts more than 200 retailers ranging from luxury outlets to contemporary chains, historically including names such as Nike, Adidas, Michael Kors, Coach, Tommy Hilfiger, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, H&M, and Forever 21. Specialty and service tenants have included Apple Inc. authorized resellers, travel-oriented services catering to passengers of Newark Liberty International Airport, and dining outlets like P.F. Chang's-type concepts. Seasonal and temporary pop-ups mirror strategies used at Westfield World Trade Center and other high-traffic centers to capture tourist spending from international visitors arriving through John F. Kennedy International Airport and regional cruise terminals. Leasing strategies reflect national retail trends observed at centers such as Sawgrass Mills and Premium Outlets properties, balancing value-focused outlets with flagship and experiential tenants.

Economic and Community Impact

The mall functions as a major employer in Elizabeth, New Jersey, providing retail, security, maintenance, and management jobs comparable to staffing patterns at Southland Center and other large malls. Sales tax revenues contribute to Union County, New Jersey budgets and have influenced municipal planning initiatives alongside projects by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and investments tied to Newark Liberty International Airport growth. The center’s role in regional tourism ties into the economic ecosystems of New York City, Newark, New Jersey, and nearby attractions like Statue of Liberty ferry services and cultural institutions such as the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Community partnerships have included local workforce development programs and event hosting in coordination with entities like the Elizabeth Public Library and Union County College.

Transportation and Access

Situated near Interchange 13A of the New Jersey Turnpike and adjacent to major roadways leading to Interstate 78, the mall is accessible by private vehicle and multiple transit options operated by New Jersey Transit and shuttle operators serving Newark Liberty International Airport. Airport shuttles, commercial shuttle services, and regional bus routes connect the site to hubs such as Newark Penn Station, Secaucus Junction, and Port Authority Bus Terminal. Proximity to Newark Liberty International Airport Station on the AirTrain Newark network facilitates transfers for air travelers, while parking and drop-off zones accommodate tour buses and ride-hailing services including Uber and Lyft.

Incidents and Controversies

Over its operational history, the center has experienced incidents typical of large retail environments, including theft and security incidents that involved local law enforcement agencies such as the Elizabeth Police Department and coordination with the Union County Prosecutor's Office. Controversies have centered on traffic impacts cited by New Jersey Turnpike Authority planners and community concerns about development scale raised at Elizabeth City Council meetings. During the COVID-19 pandemic, public health measures and temporary closures prompted disputes between tenants and management similar to those seen at other major retail centers like King of Prussia Mall and The Westchester Mall.

Category:Shopping malls in New Jersey Category:Buildings and structures in Elizabeth, New Jersey