The former Lord & Taylor building in Westfield, together with several town-owned parcels, which total 731,000 square feet, will be reimagined through recently announced plans from HBC, together with its real estate development arm, Streetworks Development.
The proposed development, One Westfield Place, is poised to reinvigorate Westfield’s downtown; repurpose underutilized buildings and properties; optimize parking; create new housing and commercial spaces; improve pedestrian connectivity between residential neighborhoods and downtown; and envision a mobility hub to accommodate alternative
modes of transportation around the Westfield Train Station.
“HBC has more than 350 years of experience in reinvention and revitalization. As the long-term holder of many iconic retail brands, including Saks Fifth Avenue and Saks OFF 5TH, we understand the responsibility we hold to repurpose and bring life to the former Lord & Taylor site in Westfield,” HBC Governor, Executive Chairman and CEO Richard Baker stated.
The project as envisioned will generate several million dollars per year to Westfield, for a total of over $200 million in additional revenues over 30 years, which would help to stabilize taxes, fund public improvements and support other municipal priorities to maximize the benefits to the entire Westfield community. The project will also create over 2,900 jobs during construction, as well as 1,700 jobs when operational. The development takes into consideration the 12 Guiding Principles outlined in Westfield’s Master Plan Reexamination, which was adopted in 2019 after a robust public input process.
“One Westfield Place will be welcoming, distinct and authentic, with increased walkability, pedestrian access to open spaces, tree-lined sidewalks, picturesque main streets and buildings expertly designed to complement the unique charm and character of the town,” Baker added.
The proposed development includes:
- 100,000 square feet of next-generation, flexible Class A office space through the adaptive reuse of the former Lord & Taylor building;
- A state-of-the-art mass timber building that offers 210,000 square feet of Class A office and amenities to benefit employees;
- A total of 27,000 square feet of street-level retail distributed across the development;
- 154 high-quality residential apartments and townhomes targeted to 55 and older residents;
- 69 residential apartments catering to families and young professionals;
- Affordable housing units planned in accordance with housing requirements in both Westfield and the state of New Jersey;
- Two new parking garages for public use on North Avenue and South Avenue that can
accommodate over 450 vehicles; - Expertly designed and landscaped Town Green and Town Square, north and south of the train station, to be revitalized public spaces that enable significantly enhanced community
programming and to feature tree-lined green spaces, seasonal planters, water features, and improved pedestrian and vehicular access; - Comprehensive streetscape and sidewalk improvements, including the beautification of Quimby Street; and
- A state-of-the-art mobility hub connecting the north and south sides of the train station that improves access to alternative modes of transportation with features including ride sharing, bike stations, storage and pickup/drop-off service locations.
In addition to improving the Town Green, Town Square and Quimby Street, HBC and Streetworks Development, in concert with the Downtown Westfield Corp., will collaborate with Dan Biederman, president of Biederman Redevelopment Ventures, the experts behind New York’s Bryant Park, to develop a comprehensive plan to strategically activate and program events and activities in public spaces and gathering areas.
“Driven by our Master Plan, and with a commitment to maintaining Westfield’s historical character, HBC/Streetworks Development is proposing a downtown for the future — one that is more people-centric than car-centric — with a focus on sustainability, safe streets and improved infrastructure,” Westfield Mayor Shelley Brindle stated. “This innovative proposal presents us with a unique opportunity to address our longstanding traffic, parking and congestion challenges; provide much-needed spaces for community gathering, art and events; and bring in unprecedented new sources of tax revenue to the town that will mitigate the tax burden of our residents for generations to come.”
