A retail estate developer reportedly plans to build the first factory outlet mall in the Bronx, also marking the first such retail complex in New York City.
The one million-square-foot property acquired by The Lightstone Group at the Whitestone Multiplex Cinemas site in the Castle Hill section of the Bronx is about 11 miles from midtown Manhattan. Lightstone, which manages outlet malls in Washington, Orlando, FL, and San Antonio would not comment on the rumored outlet mall until plans are finalized. Locals may also object to the development, given the traffic it may bring to three nearby roadways: Interstate 95, the Bruckner Expressway and the Cross Bronx Expressway.
But Marlene Cintron, president of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corp., told Crain's NY that Lightstone "purchased the property with the purpose of turning it into a Woodbury Commons-type outlet mall" and Bronx officials had been briefed on the plan.
The outlet mall would join a surge of retail development reshaping the borough. Prestige Properties is building a $300 million suburban-style shopping center, the Mall at Bay Plaza, near Co-op City featuring Macy's as one of its anchors. A new Target is also opening near the Lightstone site. Ms. Cintron told The New York Times, "The Bronx is finally being recognized as a retail haven."
The potential opening comes as outlet malls have been opening closer and closer to urban centers over the last two decades. When they first came on the scene in the eighties, most opened at least 50 miles from regional malls or near tourist areas like Vegas or Orlando to minimize the competitive threat to full-priced mainstream and luxury department stores at regional malls. Neiman's, Nordstrom and Saks all have concepts aimed at outlet shoppers, and even Macy's has recently opened up a few stores near outlet centers.
The Times article particularly explored how the opening would affect the popular Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, which sits 48 miles north of Midtown Manhattan and draws more than 12 million shoppers a year. Several locals and tourists indicated they were more than willing to take the shorter jaunt to the Bronx.
"Love J-Lo, very fashionable," Tammy Bevcar, an operations manager in her 40s from Toronto, told the Times. "I would definitely go."
- In the Bronx, Plans for an Outlet Mall Offering High Fashion at a Discount - The New York Times
- Bronx site could become city's first outlet mall - Crain's New York
- Bigger is Better for Outlet Malls - National Real Estate Investor
- Is it more difficult to build than announce an outlet center? - Factory Outlet Insiders
- Macy's to Open in an Outlet Mall Across the Street from Six Flags - Chicago.racked.com