Bridgewater Commons Announces Investment in Center Improvements and the Addition of New Retailers

BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP, N.J. – October 20, 2025 – After spending the last two years focused on elevating the shopping experience at Bridgewater Commons – and its open-air component The Village at Bridgewater Commons – through strategic leasing upgrades highlighted by the additions of Alo Yoga, Fogo de Chão, Miniso, Pop Mart and 15 other retailers, Pacific Retail Capital Partners (PRCP), the owner of the property, is excited to unveil its plan for Central New Jersey's premier shopping center.

The interior refresh of Bridgewater Commons is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2026. The renovation will emphasize light, bright colors, modern art throughout and a reorganization of the food court. Plans also entail reimagining the property’s food court, center court and interior to better appeal to consumers’ evolving preferences and tastes. Work will commence this month with minimal disruption to customer traffic.

“Bridgewater Commons has continued to strengthen its place as the dominant retail center for Somerset County,” said Annmarie Plenge, Chief Creative Officer at PRCP. “Now we are giving our community an upgraded experience designed for their convenience and enjoyment, evolving it for the next generation of retail, dining and entertainment.”

A reimagined food court will be a centerpiece of the refreshed Bridgewater Commons, to be completed in 2026.

The new look is intended to brighten and enliven the center’s interior, adding updated lighting fixtures, lush interior landscaping, and fresh paint and banisters throughout the center court, department store wings, and on the mezzanine levels. The food court will benefit from new interior landscaping as well as a new color palette and artwork. Seating will be organized into sections, including “The Lounge” and a casual area called “The Little Lounge,” thoughtfully designed to provide a welcoming space for children and families, set apart by its unique furnishings and playful aesthetics.

Plenge continued, “Bridgewater Commons was a pioneering center visually and logistically when it opened in 1988, with an open design and diverse tenant mix. We are now building upon that legacy as evidenced by our leasing successes, while modernizing it for today’s consumers.”

Plenge, who heads up PRCP’s in-house design team, a unique differentiator in the industry, will oversee the Bridgewater Commons refresh, with local firms The Martin Architectural Group and Unified Construction Group serving as architect of record and general contractor, respectively. Plenge and her team have significant experience in master planning, conceiving and coordinating the long-term visions for a number of properties in PRCP’s portfolio, including District Galleria in White Plains, New York, Yorktown Center in Lombard, Illinois, and Queen Kaʻahumanu Center in Maui, Hawaii.

“We acquired Bridgewater Commons with the intention of evolving an already dominant property into one of the top-performing malls in all of New Jersey,” said Steve Plenge, founder and CEO of PRCP. “After a highly successful two years highlighted by our many leasing wins, we’re ready to take the next step to reimagine this property to better align with consumers’ shopping, dining, and entertainment needs.”

The center’s refresh supports the substantial leasing momentum the property has experienced under PRCP’s ownership. The company’s best-in-class leasing platform, which combines both national and local resources and deeply experienced team members, has already executed more than 87,000 square feet of leases to top retailers, restaurants and service providers, including Kendra Scott, Alo Yoga, Fogo de Chão, Miniso, Pop Mart, JD Sports, Millburn Deli, Club Champion, Big Chicken, Face Foundrié, Pure Green and Summit Medical.

“This is extremely exciting news for the Bridgewater community,” said Bridgewater Mayor Matthew Moench. “Bridgewater Commons is not just a place to shop, it’s at the economic and social core of our town. I’m thrilled that PRCP recognizes the importance of preserving that identity and our overall community character. Their significant investment shows a commitment to thoughtful growth, and I personally can’t wait to bring my family to shop there.”

Located along Interstate 287 at the intersections of Route 22 and Route 202/206, Bridgewater Commons opened in February 1988 and has become Somerset County’s largest shopping, dining and entertainment destination.

About Bridgewater Commons

Bridgewater Commons is one of Northern New Jersey’s premier shopping destinations, located in a vibrant suburb in proximity to New York City. The 1.2 million-square-foot shopping center features a vibrant mix of retailers and restaurants with wide consumer appeal. More than 150 brands call Bridgewater Commons home, from well-known national retailers and restaurants such as Apple, Lululemon Athletica, Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma, Fogo de Chão, Seasons 52 and The Cheesecake Factory, to popular local small shops like Athletifreak, Millburn Deli and DIG. In 2023, Bridgewater Commons celebrated its 35th anniversary and was acquired by Pacific Retail Capital Partners, one of the premier owners of retail real estate in the country. For more information on the property, please visit bridgewatercommons.com or follow on social media: Facebook @BridgewaterCommons and Instagram: shopbridgewatercommons.

About Pacific Retail Capital Partners

Pacific Retail Capital Partners (PRCP) is one of the nation’s premier retail operating groups of large open-air and enclosed shopping centers, with more than $3.0 billion in assets under management across the United States. Based in Southern California, the company’s portfolio totals 24 properties encompassing over 20 million square feet. With a highly experienced team that has a proven track record of generating value its stakeholders, PRCP is dedicated to evolving real estate for the next generation by working with the communities it serves to design master plans that transform its assets into high-performing mixed-use destinations. The vertically-integrated company provides end-to-end sourcing, assessment, underwriting, valuing, developing, marketing, design and asset management services. To learn more visit pacificretail.com or follow on social media at: Facebook: @PacificRetailCapitalPartners and Instagram: @PacificRetail.

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