Meadowlands snagging deals for major retail flagships

Locale could snatch Manhattan outposts for Zara, Forever21

Renderings of the American Dream Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J.
Renderings of the American Dream Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J.

A massive entertainment complex in East Rutherford, N.J., now dubbed American Dream Meadowlands, is on the brink of major deals with several notable retailers.

Advanced negotiations are underway between the complex, formerly known as Meadowlands Xanadu, and Uniqlo, Topshop, Forever21 and Zara.

Many of the stores will serve as flagship locations for their brands, outshining outposts on the West Side of Manhattan. Zara will reportedly occupy about 50,000 square feet in the complex, while Forever21 will be as big as its 100,000-square-foot Times Square location.

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Not to be outdone, Cirque du Soleil will perform at the venue, which will also feature an indoor ski slope à la Mall of the Emirates in Dubai, and the country’s largest Ferris wheel.

The entertainment complex project, launched under developer Mills Corporation during the 2004 boom, fell into default during the economic downturn and hung in the balance for years before being acquired by current owner Triple Five Group in August.

Sinvin Real Estate, a retail leasing firm that works on deals in Manhattan and elsewhere in the country, is helping Triple Five bring in tenants. Triple Five could not immediately be reached for comment by Crain’s. [Crain’s]Julie Strickland