A multi-million-dollar redevelopment at West Orange Plaza is driving significant leasing momentum, with new commitments and ongoing activity poised to bring the property – including its Phase 1 expansion – to full occupancy. The 296,500-square-foot, Whole Foods-anchored shopping center, located at 235 Prospect Ave., began its extensive property-wide upgrade in 2024, following a new lease with Target.
Recent additions include Dogtopia, a fast-growing pet wellness brand that opened a 5,000-square-foot location in February, offering daycare, boarding, and spa services. Founded in 2002, Dogtopia is a category leader and is on track to surpass 400 locations by 2026. Joining the lineup soon will be Club Pilates, the world’s largest Pilates studio network, known for making Pilates accessible and approachable to all.
Levin Management Corporation (LMC), which serves as the leasing and managing agent for West Orange Plaza, reports that six additional leases – representing approximately 25,000-square feet – are in advanced negotiation stages, with several more letters of intent (LOIs) in process. This activity is expected to fill remaining in-line spaces and newly developed outparcel buildings, positioning the property for sustained success.
“We are seeing firsthand how redevelopment can spark renewed interest and attract best-in-class, expanding retailers,” said Ed Vasconcellos III, leasing representative at LMC. “The addition of two nationally recognized brands like Dogtopia and Club Pilates reinforces our strategy to establish West Orange Plaza as a premier retail destination. We anticipate announcing more exciting additions aligned with evolving consumer preferences in the coming months.”
Vasconcellos brokered the Dogtopia and Club Pilates deals on behalf of West Orange Plaza’s ownership. David Townes and Alana Friedman – who were with Cushman & Wakefield at the time – represented Dogtopia, while Florian Suserman of RIPCO Real Estate represented Club Pilates.
Strategic Location and Expanding Appeal
Conveniently located just off I-280 at the corner of Eagle Rock and Prospect avenues, West Orange Plaza serves a densely populated trade area of more than 165,000 residents within a three-mile radius and draws more than 2.6 million annual visits, according to Placer.ai. Existing tenants include national brands such as Chipotle, Jersey Mike’s Subs, Verizon, and America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses, alongside local staples such as Frank’s Pizza and My Gym.
Long-Term Vision and Management Expertise
West Orange Plaza’s redevelopment is a collaborative effort of its joint venture ownership, with LMC’s in-house construction management team overseeing the process – from common area enhancements to new outparcel construction – in its role as owner’s representative.
