NJT Bus : 353
97-637: American Dream is a large retail and entertainment complex in the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford , Bergen County , New Jersey , and is the second largest mall in the United States behind the Mall of America . The first and second of four opening stages occurred on October 25, 2019, and on December 5, 2019. The remaining opening stages occurred on or after October 1, 2020. The project
194-538: A Coca-Cola themed food court, would open later in the month, and that Munchies, a gourmet food court, would open by the end of the year. It was also announced that the luxury stores, anchored by Saks 5th Avenue , would open in March 2021, with hotels to be added in the near future. On March 10, 2021, NJ.com reported that Sea Life Aquarium and Legoland Discovery Center would open at the mall on May 4. However, on April 21, 2021, American Dream announced that they were postponing
291-426: A Euro-Fighter , would hold the record for the steepest roller coaster drop at 121.5 degrees, and is based on a model seen at two other locations in the United States. The second coaster, a Spinning Coaster called The Shredder, consists of four-passenger cars that spin on a vertical axis as it progresses down the coaster's track, and is the world's tallest and longest free spinning coaster, at 1,600 feet. The water park
388-677: A 1.2-mile (1.9 km), six-turn layout in an effort to improve competition. The race continued until 1991, and crowds continued to stay away. From 1988 to 1991, the race was part of the Marlboro Million, a cash prize to be awarded to any driver who won the Marlboro Grand Prix, the Marlboro 500 , and the Marlboro Challenge All-Star event in the same year. The prize was never won. In 1992, race officials announced plans to move
485-414: A 26-screen movie theater and 3,000-seat performing arts theater. The mall would house 450 retail shops, and more than 100 dining options, including approximately 20 full-service restaurants, a first-of-its kind kosher food hall, and a 38,000 square foot gourmet food court with 18 vendors and chef demonstrations operated by the youth-driven food and culture website Munchies . The project would also include
582-434: A 38,000 square feet (3,500 m ), 18-vendor food court with a kosher food hall. The other 55 percent of the space contains entertainment facilities. The amusement facilities include or will include an indoor NHL -sized ice rink, an indoor theme park called Nickelodeon Universe , an indoor water park called DreamWorks Water Park , and a concert/performing arts venue with 2,400 to 3,000 seats. Other attractions include
679-524: A 3–3 tie. The New York Jets moved to Giants Stadium on September 6, 1984, after playing at Shea Stadium for nearly 20 years. In their first game at the stadium on that day, the Jets lost 23–17 to the Pittsburgh Steelers in front of 70,564 fans. In 2007, construction began on a mega-mall, named Meadowlands Xanadu. Work came to a halt in 2009, and Triple Five , owners of the Mall of America , took over
776-591: A March 2020 opening. However, on February 27, 2020, NJ.com reported that the mall's enclave of luxury stores called The Collections would open in September 2020. On February 19, 2020, Sea Life announced it would open its location at American Dream on April 23, 2020. On March 8, the mall closed, which Triple Five Worldwide announced was a temporary measure resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic in New Jersey , thus again delaying
873-522: A capacity crowd of 42,133 for its initial date. Giants Stadium opened on October 10, 1976, as 76,042 fans watched the New York Giants lose to the Dallas Cowboys , 24–14. By 1977, plans were in the works to expand the complex. A new arena was to be built on the opposite side of Route 20 from the stadium and racetrack, connected by vehicle ramps and a pedestrian bridge. Brendan Byrne Arena, named for
970-474: A deal with Triple Five Group , the owners of two of North America's largest malls: West Edmonton Mall and the Mall of America , who had previously proposed "MeadowFest America" for the New Jersey site in 2002, before the contract was awarded to Mills Corporation. Triple Five assumed ownership of the mall and renamed it "American Dream Meadowlands", announcing a tentative opening date of early 2014, to coincide with Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium . The deal
1067-418: A development centered around the proposed Garden State International Speedway, a NASCAR racetrack seating 80,000. A consortium that included Paul Newman , Carl Haas , and Mario Andretti proposed Liberty Speedway and Family Theme Park, combining a racetrack with an amusement park and connecting the two with a monorail. In February 2003, the authority's board chose Mills Corporation and Mack-Cali's plan over
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#17328486519561164-467: A flagship store at the mall, its only one in New Jersey. However, the firm announced in October 2019 that as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization, it would close most of its stores, without specifying whether the one at American Dream would be one of the few to remain open. In 2019, Triple 5 dropped Meadowlands from the name American Dream. On March 8, 2019, Governor Phil Murphy indicated that
1261-673: A halt to construction. In February 2010, Stephen Ross , owner of The Related Companies in Manhattan, stated that he could finish the project by the end of 2010, possibly with a new name and look. In May 2010, the NJSEA handed the project over to the Related Companies, and the "Xanadu" name had been dropped, changing the name to "The Meadowlands". In May 2010, the project's name was shortened from "Meadowlands Xanadu" to simply "Meadowlands." On August 10, 2010, Colony Capital surrendered control of
1358-585: A leading standardbred racing and simulcasting facility, is home to harness racing’s prestigious Hambletonian Stakes and hosts a fall thoroughbred meet. Historic Monmouth Park is the site of a summer thoroughbred meet highlighted by the Haskell Invitational won in dramatic fashion in 2009 by the filly, Rachel Alexandra . The NJSEA also operates the Off Track Wagering (OTW) facility, Favorites at Woodbridge , and has received approval to open
1455-446: A parking lot with 33,000 spaces, an on-site bus hub, and a train station. Triple Five projected 40 million people to visit the mall each year, half of whom would be drawn from the 62 million tourists who visit the tri-state area annually. On December 22, 2016, work on the project stopped again. Financing from the 2016 bond issue was delayed until 2017. In May of that year, the developers secured $ 1.67 billion in construction financing from
1552-507: A renovated Continental Airlines Arena. The name was taken from Mills Corporation's Madrid Xanadú , a shopping mall in Spain which opened in 2003. NJSEA accepted several other proposals for developing the site. Westfield Group proposed Arena Place, an "urban village" and "town square" built around the arena. Hartz Mountain Industries and Forest City Realty Trust submitted plans for Expo Park at
1649-764: A result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the fire at the Big SNOW ski slope, and delays in openings for some stores and attractions. The mall's expenses totaled $ 232.4 million, but its revenue reached only $ 173 million. In June 2022, the mall made a late payment to its bondholders of $ 13.9 million, but remained behind on its payments, including interest on the bond payment that its owners missed on June 1, which put them in default. This prompted East Rutherford Mayor Jeffrey Lahullier to state that same month, "The mall's definitely in trouble, there's no doubt in my mind." On September 4, 2022, YouTuber Jimmy Donaldson (popularly known as MrBeast) opened
1746-680: A second OTW in Bayonne . The NJSEA also provides in-house security, emergency medical services, and fire protection staff to the entire Meadowlands Sports Complex, including MetLife Stadium , the replacement for Giants Stadium at the Meadowlands Sports Complex built privately by the Jets and Giants, as they have done in the past at Giants Stadium. The NJSEA owns the land beneath the American Dream Meadowlands shopping complex. It issued $ 1.15 billion in municipal bonds to support
1843-488: A spokesman for the project's lending group stated, "The Lender Group is aware of the damage to the roof caused by excessive snow and ice, but does not feel the damage affects the integrity of the structure. As such, the group has filed an insurance claim, and once the weather turns warmer, it will assess the damages and fix whatever is necessary." On April 29, 2011, the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority completed
1940-474: A syndicate led by JPMorgan Chase , and by the following month, work had resumed. In June 2018, the developer indicated that most of the complex was scheduled to open in early 2019, though the water park would open at the end of 2019. In August 2018, a Triple Five executive, Tony Amrlin, specified that the project was 68% complete and would open in April 2019. That November, it was announced that September 2019 would be
2037-494: A trampoline park, eight more rides to Nickelodeon Universe, and interactive museums featuring elaborate props and backdrops. Plans were also in the works for several hotels that would connect to the mall via skybridges, with the area zoned for 3,500 hotel rooms. That same month, the mall partnered with Hackensack Meridian Health and Agile Urgent Care to open a drive-through testing site primarily for local police, first responders, and frontline health care workers. On May 5, 2020, it
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#17328486519562134-625: Is DreamWorks Water Park , which will feature attractions such as Shrek's Soggy Swamp , Kung Fu Panda Zone and Madagascar Rain Forest . The park's centerpiece will be the world's largest indoor wave pool, measuring 1.5 acres and holding 1.5 million gallons of water, and the world's second-tallest body slide, starting from a height of 142 feet and featuring a 50-foot free fall. The completed American Dream spans 3 million square feet and consists of 55 percent entertainment facilities and 45 percent retail locations. Planned entertainment venues included nightclubs,
2231-545: Is also the home of a twice-weekly flea market , which is canceled when the parking spaces are needed for stadium events. The NJSEA hires in-house security and emergency medical services staff to serve the venues at the Sports Complex, including MetLife Stadium. Law enforcement is primarily provided by the New Jersey State Police Sports Complex Unit. MetLife Stadium opened in 2010, following
2328-630: Is an independent authority established by the State of New Jersey in 1971 to oversee the Meadowlands Sports Complex . Originally consisting of Giants Stadium and the Meadowlands Racetrack in 1976, Meadowlands Arena was added to the complex in 1981 and New Meadowlands Stadium (now MetLife Stadium ) replaced Giants Stadium in 2010. In 2015 the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission was merged into NJSEA by legislative action. Over
2425-669: Is owned and operated by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA). It is named for the New Jersey Meadowlands , upon which it was built. The complex currently consists of MetLife Stadium , which is home to the New York Giants and New York Jets of the National Football League ; the Meadowlands Racetrack , a famous harness racing circuit (which is home of the annual Hambletonian Stakes ); and
2522-496: Is the site of the Hambletonian , the most prestigious event in standardbred racing. The track is equipped to race at night, when most of its races are. In the middle of the track is a lake, intended to resemble the state of New Jersey. The Meadowlands Racetrack is also one of the leading simulcast facilities in the world in terms of total handle. The Quest Diagnostics Training Center is the main headquarters and practice facility of
2619-479: The 1994 World Cup , the 1996 Men's Final Four , NFL playoff games and Super Bowl championship celebrations, the 2002 and 2003 NBA Finals , the Stanley Cup Finals of 1995 , 2000 , 2001 and 2003 , the 1999 Women’s World Cup , many other international soccer matches - including Pelé 's farewell game, a 1995 Papal Mass by Pope John Paul II and countless major concerts. The Meadowlands Racetrack,
2716-731: The 2026 FIFA World Cup . Meadowlands Arena (formerly Brendan Byrne Arena, Continental Airlines Arena and IZOD Center) was a multi-purpose indoor arena. Opened in 1981, it was home to the New Jersey Nets NBA team until 2010, the Seton Hall University men's basketball team until 2007 and to the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League until 2007. The Devils and the Seton Hall men's basketball team moved to
2813-664: The Adventure Aquarium ) in Camden . The NJSEA also contributed to the construction of the Meadowlands Environment Center in Lyndhurst , just across Berry's Creek from the Sports Complex. The NJSEA facilities are home to the New York Giants and Jets , which also serves as major venues for concerts and family shows. Since 1976, NJSEA buildings have hosted many major events, including Super Bowl XLVIII , seven games of
2910-521: The Big SNOW American Dream indoor ski slope, two miniature 18-hole golf courses, a CMX Cine’Bistro dine-in luxury movie theater, a family entertainment center, a bowling alley, a Legoland Discovery Center , a Sea Life Aquarium , an indoor rock climbing facility, and a Mirror Maze attraction. It also includes a kosher food court , with kosher options ranging from ice cream to pizza to fast food chicken. On September 14, 2022,
3007-604: The Big Snow American Dream ski slope in December. The DreamWorks Water Park , which was scheduled to open March 19, 2020, as well as the mall's retail shops and restaurants, were delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic , which forced the mall's temporary closure on March 8, 2020. Following Governor Phil Murphy 's August 26 announcement that amusements could open with restrictions on September 1, Big Snow American Dream announced it would reopen on that date, while other amusements and
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3104-533: The DreamWorks Water Park , was set to open on November 27, 2019. However, on November 21, 2019, the company announced that they were postponing the water park opening until March 19, 2020. The next chapter, the Big Snow American Dream ski slope, opened on December 5, 2019. The final chapter, consisting of the mall's 350 shops and over 100 restaurants, was branded "In Grand Style", and planned for
3201-723: The Garden State Parkway further west, and the Lincoln Tunnel further east, while the Turnpike/I-95 give access to and from the George Washington Bridge northwards, and Newark Airport southwards. In 1983, a Formula One auto race was planned for the New York City area. A temporary street circuit at the Meadowlands Sports Complex was one of the finalists for the location. A course at Flushing Meadows Park , in
3298-607: The Hudson–Bergen Light Rail line to the MetLife Sports Complex. Despite the opening of American Dream in 2019, the rail line is currently not being used daily. The Meadowlands Sports Complex is primarily surrounded by four main highways: New Jersey Route 3 to the south, Route 17 to the west, Route 120 (also called Paterson Plank Road ) to the north, and the New Jersey Turnpike ( Interstate 95 ) to
3395-738: The Meadowlands Environment Center . The 16-member Board of Commissioners is appointed by the Governor of New Jersey to four-year terms, subject to confirmation by the New Jersey Senate and it includes three ex officio members : The authority president, the State Treasurer and a designated representative of the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission. The authority holds regularly scheduled meeting which are open to
3492-502: The New Jersey Economic Development Authority reauthorized a $ 390 million potential tax break for the project. These steps were intended to set the stage for a sale of up to $ 1 billion in government bonds to raise money to complete the project in time for its new projected completion in the second half of 2017. In April 2016, a planned bond issue fell through. In July 2016, construction appeared to have stopped,
3589-625: The New York Giants . It was known as the Timex Performance Center, renamed in July 2013 when the Giants and Quest Diagnostics announced a new partnership after the four-year partnership between the Giants and Timex ended. The facility, on the westernmost portion of the Meadowlands Sports Complex grounds, opened in 2010 and replaced the old Giants' practice fields and headquarters, adjacent to Giants Stadium. The Giants annually host Training Camp at
3686-706: The Prudential Center in Newark . The renamed Brooklyn Nets currently play in the Barclays Center . It closed early in April 2015. The Meadowlands Racetrack is a horse racing track that hosts both thoroughbred racing and harness racing . It is known popularly in the region as "The Big M". Opened in the mid–1970s, the Meadowlands Racetrack held its first harness race on September 1, 1976 while thoroughbred racing commenced on September 6, 1977. The Racetrack
3783-749: The Quest Diagnostics Training Center , which is the Giants' practice facility. The complex is also home to the American Dream retail and entertainment venue, which was home to the Metropolitan Riveters of the Premier Hockey Federation , and the now-closed Meadowlands Arena , which served as a home for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League , Seton Hall University 's men's basketball team , and
3880-791: The final ; it will be the second time FIFA World Cup matches are played at the Meadowlands. Giants Stadium hosted matches during the 1994 FIFA World Cup . In addition to the three venues, the complex also hosts events in the MetLife Stadium parking lot. State Fair Meadowlands (formerly called the Meadowlands Fair, and not affiliated with the New Jersey State Fair held annually in Sussex County ) began in 1986 and has been operated by State Fair of Belleville since 2003. The parking lot
3977-585: The Coca-Cola brand throughout the property, and would include a branded eatery. On July 3, 2019, officials from Triple Five announced that the opening date of the mall would be October 25. Later that month, Crain's New York Business reported that the Asian-American supermarket chain H Mart would open a 35,000-square-foot (3,300 m) store at American Dream, which in addition to that chain's typical selection of Asian and international food items, would feature
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4074-549: The Meadowlands Mills project as well as by plans to move the New Jersey Nets out of the arena, and involved significantly less environmental damage because it would be built on already developed land. The Mills Corporation retooled its earlier proposal for Meadowlands Mills to fit the new site, and partnered with Mack-Cali Realty Corporation to design Meadowlands Xanadu, a major multi-use development which would incorporate
4171-419: The Meadowlands, featuring an outlet mall, a convention center, an indoor racetrack, and three hotel buildings. Triple Five Group proposed MeadowFest America, which planned an adaptive reuse of the arena to create a retail and entertainment complex. Other proposals focused on the project's location in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. International Speedway Corporation envisioned plans for Sports City America,
4268-783: The Metropolitan Riveters of the Premier Hockey Federation became tenants of The Rink at the American Dream for at least the next three years. New Jersey Transit operates the Meadowlands station at the complex, the terminus of the Meadowlands Rail Line . In preparation for the opening of the American Dream mall, the station opened for service on July 26, 2009. Studies are also underway about an extension of
4365-518: The Mills Corporation defended its plans by arguing that the land was already devastated by pesticide usage and invasive common reeds . The Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service opposed the project after studying its potential environmental impact. However, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers conducted its own study which contradicted the EPA's findings and stated that
4462-448: The NJSEA was David A. "Sonny" Werblin , former president of the NFL's New York Jets . By year's end, Werblin had secured a deal for the New York Giants , who were then playing in Yankee Stadium in the Bronx , to move to the Meadowlands. Ground was broken on Giants Stadium and the Meadowlands Racetrack on November 19, 1972. To accommodate the new facility, access roads were improved. The New Jersey Turnpike , which had been suffering
4559-433: The New York City borough of Queens , was chosen, but the event was canceled before the first running. In July 1984, the CART IndyCar series held the first Meadowlands Grand Prix on a temporary circuit built in the Giants Stadium parking lot. The race was only moderately successful, and crowds were mediocre at best. In 1988, the course layout was moved to the streets surrounding Brendan Byrne Arena and redesigned to
4656-431: The agreement were not made public, the agreement allowed the long-delayed project to move forward. Construction had been ongoing since November 2013, and was expected to pick up in early 2014. That April, Triple Five released a revised design for the mall's exterior and confirmed a tentative opening date in late 2016, though by December 2014, it was reported that this would only be a partial opening. By May 2013, progress on
4753-403: The amusement park would not, which would create traffic jams on game days, when between 20,000 and 25,000 vehicles would park at the complex. Traffic studies conducted by the team estimated that 7,700 spots would be added by the project, while developers stated that it would add only 63 more cars, as local residents would be wise enough to avoid the grounds at that time, and most tourists would take
4850-425: The arena was the New Jersey Nets in 1981. A year later, the New Jersey Devils of the NHL and the Seton Hall University men's basketball team joined the Nets. The Nets played their first game at the arena on October 30, 1981, and lost to their cross-river rivals, the New York Knicks by a score of 103–99. The Devils played their first game on October 5, 1982, against the Pittsburgh Penguins . The game ended in
4947-416: The burden of increased traffic volumes near its northern terminus in Ridgefield Park , built a new alignment, the "western spur", with an exit, interchange 16W, leading directly to the sports complex as well as to Route 3 . Routes 3 and 20 (now 120 ) also received improvements. On September 1, 1976, the Meadowlands Racetrack became the first complex venue to open, featuring harness racing . The track drew
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#17328486519565044-443: The chain's "Market Eatery" venue for top national and international food concepts and chefs, as well as New Jersey's first "Let Them Talk Bar and Stage" that would feature live music, craft cocktails, entertainment and weekly events. The store will staff a combined 70 to 100 full-time and part-time employees. On September 20, 2019, Triple Five announced that the mall would open in four stages it refers to as "chapters". In October 2019,
5141-421: The closing and demolition of the Giants' and the Jets' previous home, Giants Stadium . It is the home stadium for the New York Giants and New York Jets of the NFL and is one of two stadiums home to two NFL franchises ( SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California is the other). It was the home of the New York Guardians of the XFL , MetLife Stadium hosted Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014 and will host matches during
5238-507: The developers were trying to obtain $ 1 billion in additional financing, and the projected completion date had slipped again, to 2018. In August 2016, the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority announced an $ 800 million bond issue intended to finance further construction of the mall. In September 2016, Triple Five Group announced that the indoor amusement park space would be occupied by Nickelodeon Universe , which would feature two world record-holding roller coasters. The TMNT Shellraiser ,
5335-456: The development of the mall to five lenders. Four parties were noted to be interested in redeveloping the project. The Wall Street Journal on December 24, 2010, reported that Triple Five Group signed a letter of intent to invest in and finish the stalled mall. Triple Five proposed that the mall be expanded to include indoor amusement and a water park. Developers cut a deal with Deutsche Bank to provide an approximately $ 700 million loan to finish
5432-545: The east. The Turnpike interchanges with Route 3 near the south side of the complex, giving access from that point, and also has a direct southbound exit/northbound entrance at the north side. Route 120 starts at Route 3 near the southeast corner, runs straight through the complex, giving direct exits to certain parking lots east of MetLife Stadium, then turns west to connect back with Route 17, while also giving access from Washington Avenue ( CR 503 ). Routes 3 and 17 also connect to numerous local roads as well. Route 3 also connects to
5529-454: The end of the 2009 NFL season and demolition started immediately. In September 2010, MetLife Stadium , then known as New Meadowlands Stadium, opened for its first game. It was privately built and funded by the Jets and Giants. A commuter train line and a training center for the Giants also opened at the same time. MetLife bought the naming rights for the stadium and the entire complex in August 2011. Meadowlands Arena closed in April 2015 to
5626-449: The experimental retailer Fourpost, which operates a store at Triple Five's other mall property, The Mall of America. Triple Five also revealed more of the complex's attractions and common areas, which were planned to feature rotating art installations and attractions. In June 2019, American Dream announced a 10-year partnership with The Coca-Cola Company and its local bottling partner Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages, which would fully-integrate
5723-462: The eyes as you drive up the turnpike" and "by far the ugliest damn building in New Jersey, and maybe America." After acquiring the project, Triple Five indicated the exterior would be repainted in a different color scheme. In May 2009, construction on Xanadu, which was nearly 80% complete (and whose common areas were about 88% complete), came to a halt after a subsidiary of bankrupt Lehman Brothers missed payments, causing other lenders to withdraw from
5820-448: The facility in the summers, including practices open to the public with fan activities and legend player meet-and-greet opportunities. Parking for Training Camp is in Lot K. American Dream is a large mall and entertainment complex. Formerly known as Xanadu, the project resides within the Meadowlands Sports Complex adjacent to the Izod Center that will have over 450 stores. The first of four opening stages occurred on October 25, 2019, with
5917-408: The first brick and mortar location of MrBeast Burger , which until then had been a delivery-only service utilizing virtual restaurants . The opening attracted thousands of fans to the mall. On October 17, 2022, LMNTS, a luxury streetwear and lifestyle retailer, opened its first East Coast store at American Dream. On March 21, 2024, American Dream announced a partnership with Sesame Workshop to open
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#17328486519566014-407: The first ever Sesame Street Learn & Play Educational Center . The 13,000 square foot exhibit will feature interactive experiences and photo opportunities based on the television series. The exhibit is scheduled for a late-2024 opening. Meadowlands Sports Complex The Meadowlands Sports Complex is a sports complex located in East Rutherford , New Jersey , United States. The facility
6111-448: The mall and the surrounding site. Following a series of ownership changes, financing issues, construction delays, and legal challenges, construction stopped again in December 2016. In late June 2017, construction had resumed, after new financing had been secured, though the project would suffer a series of "chronically delayed" opening dates. Among the attractions that opened in 2019 were the Nickelodeon Universe theme park in October and
6208-431: The mall complex would open that June, but on March 25, Triple 5 Group announced that the project would open in August. On May 20, Triple Five announced that the mall's opening date had again been moved to later in the year, and that some retailers would not open until the 2019 holiday season or early 2020. It revealed that tenants would include Tiffany & Co. , Watches of Switzerland , Dolce & Gabbana , Moncler and
6305-418: The mall's first major retail outlets reopened on October 1, 2020. As of August 2024, the mall hosted approximately 450 retail tenants. The Mills Corporation first began working on plans for a mall in the New Jersey Meadowlands in 1994. Meadowlands Mills, as it was called, would have been constructed on the Empire Tract, an area of 587 acres (238 ha) of wetlands in Carlstadt, New Jersey . The tract
6402-488: The mall's much-criticized colorful exterior was repainted white. Triple Five also announced that the ski slope would be covered in a mural painted by a Canadian artist collective, set to be completed in 2020. Much of the facade facing the Turnpike would be covered in dynamic LED displays . On October 25, 2019, the mall opened its first chapter, an ice-skating rink and a Nickelodeon Universe indoor theme park, which contained more than 35 rides and attractions. The next chapter,
6499-630: The mall. Governor Phil Murphy announced on August 26 that amusements could open with restrictions on September 1, prompting Big Snow American Dream to announce it would reopen on that date. On September 3, 2020, Triple Five announced that on October 1, American Dream would reopen its amusement park, water park, ice rink, and mini-golf arcade, each of which would limit patrons to 25% of capacity. The mall would also unveil its first major retail tenants, 17 of which had been given certificates of occupancy and were ready to open. Among these were H&M , Primark , Zara , and IT'SUGAR . On September 29, 2020, it
6596-421: The opening date of the Sea Life Aquarium and Legoland Discovery Center, which eventually opened officially on May 29. On July 8, 2021, American Dream announced that The Avenue, the luxury wing of the complex consisting of over 20 retailers and upscale eateries and named for its anchor store, Saks 5th Avenue , would open on September 17, 2021, as would the mall's Ferris Wheel. That August, the Oreo Café opened on
6693-430: The opening of its retail shops and the DreamWorks Water Park . That same day, it was announced that Forever 21 pulled out of American Dream, due to the company filing for bankruptcy. In April 2020, Triple Five announced that the proportion of the retail tenants at the mall would be smaller, as the mall would consist of approximately 70% entertainment and 30% retail. Among the newly announced entertainment venues would be
6790-459: The other stages opening on a staggered schedule on October 1, 2020. Only 45 percent of American Dream's space is devoted to retail locations. The stores will include six anchor retail tenants with more than 50,000 square feet (4,600 m ) each, 12 major retailers with 20,000 to 50,000 square feet (1,900 to 4,600 m ) each, and 339 smaller shops of up to 20,000 square feet (1,900 m ). It will include more than 100 eateries, as well as
6887-439: The other two finalists, Westfield Group and Hartz Mountain Industries. The project was billed by Mills chairman and executive officer Laurence E. Siegel as "...a new standard for bringing lifestyle, recreation, sports and family entertainment offerings together in one location." Ground was broken on the complex on September 29, 2004, and, at the time, was expected to open two years later. In November 2006, Colony Capital purchased
6984-508: The pandemic-related closings of its stores at Garden State Plaza in Paramus, New Jersey and The Galleria mall in Houston, Texas , this would be the company's only brick and mortar store until that company's July 2022 comeback, and would open in the middle of the month, in time for holiday shopping. In May 2022, Bloomberg News reported that the mall reported nearly $ 60 million in losses in 2021,
7081-502: The project from Mills Corporation for $ 500 million and pushed the projected opening to 2008. By 2008, the colorfully gaudy exterior of the building, which is visible from the New Jersey Turnpike and New Jersey Route 3 , began to draw criticism as an eyesore. Richard Codey , president of the New Jersey State Senate at the time, called the structure "yucky-looking". In 2011, then-Governor Chris Christie called it "an offense to
7178-410: The project from the Mills Corporation, stating that the addition of amusement and water parks at the site would adversely affect traffic at MetLife stadium on days when home games were played there, specifically 16 Sundays out of the year, the day of the week that Bergen County 's Blue Law prohibits shopping, though not amusement parks. The teams contended that while the mall would be closed on Sundays,
7275-530: The project in 2011. The construction was not complete until 2019. The New Jersey Devils and Seton Hall Pirates left the complex when the Prudential Center was finished in 2007, followed by the New Jersey Nets, who moved there in 2010 to go to Prudential Center, then Brooklyn two years later, leaving the Izod Center devoid of a main tenant but free to host more concerts and events. Giants Stadium closed in at
7372-506: The project was delayed further by financing, permitting, and a lawsuit filed by the New York Giants and New York Jets over traffic concerns. Triple Five officially took ownership of the mall on July 31, 2013, with construction set to start in late August of that year, despite the lawsuit. In June 2015, the New Jersey Local Finance Board approved a tax-sharing plan between East Rutherford and Triple Five. In August 2015,
7469-425: The project was not a threat to the Meadowlands area. New Jersey governor Donald DiFrancesco announced plans to protect the area in 2001, encouraging the Mills Corporation to look at other potential sites in the region. His successor, Jim McGreevey , informed Mills the following year that the state government would not provide permits for the mall, effectively ending the project as originally proposed. The Empire Tract
7566-415: The project, and lost $ 500 million worth of construction funding. Developers stated the mall was 70% leased at the time. In March 2009, the retailer Cabela's announced that it did not plan to open its Meadowlands location for another year, and subsequently gave "late 2010" as an estimated opening date. It would later pull out of the project by November 2010, following the collapse of Lehman Brothers and
7663-630: The project. The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission (formerly the Hackensack Meadowlands Development Commission) was a regional zoning, planning and regulatory agency in northern New Jersey , established by the state in 1969. In 2015 the New Jersey Legislature voted to reorganize the commission to become part of NJSEA. Included in the merger was the Meadowlands Research and Restoration Institute and
7760-477: The project. On February 1, 2011, after a record-breaking month of snow for the area, a 50- to 60-foot-long section of the eastern wall had buckled, and a horizontal crease was apparent on the complex's indoor ski slope. Two days later, on February 3, after workers were attempting to melt snow from the ski slope's roof, ice build-up caused the eastern wall to fail and suffer a partial collapse along an approximately 150-foot (50 m) length of roof. Michael Beckerman,
7857-549: The public after suffering the loss of its major tenants and economic losses from other events. Since then, the arena has been used for concert rehearsals and private video productions. The former arena box offices are used as a station for the NJSEA EMS and the former Winner's Club lounge restaurant is the quarters for the New Jersey State Police . MetLife Stadium will host matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup , including
7954-696: The public. The minutes of all authority meetings are subject to approval by the Governor. Its first Chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) was David A. "Sonny" Werblin . Joe Plumeri , owner of the Trenton Thunder and CEO of Willis Group Holdings , was Commissioner of NJSEA from 1997 to 2004. In February 2018, it was announced that Vincent Prieto , former Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly would step down from his post and succeed Wayne Hasenbalg as president and chief executive officer,
8051-529: The race to Manhattan , using a street course at the World Trade Center . Within a few months, however, the race was canceled because of cost concerns. In the early 2000s, conceptual plans were drafted to build a NASCAR -style speedway at the Meadowlands Sports Complex as part of a revitalizing project. However, the plan was rejected and abandoned. New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority ( NJSEA )
8148-457: The rail link to the MetLife Stadium site rather than drive. Triple Five objected to the law's restriction because it would infringe upon their business. In July 2012 Triple Five countersued for what it called an improper campaign by the teams to preserve their monopoly at the site, while dissuading potential lenders from investing. On March 12, 2014, the parties reached a tentative settlement, agreeing to drop their lawsuits. Though specific details of
8245-418: The sitting governor, opened July 2, 1981, with the first of six sold-out shows by musician Bruce Springsteen . The arena was renamed for its corporate sponsor, Continental Airlines (now part of United Airlines ), as Continental Airlines Arena, in early 1996, since the airline had a hub at nearby Newark Liberty International Airport . It was renamed again in 2007 for Izod as Izod Center. The first tenant in
8342-591: The team the arena was built for, the now– Brooklyn Nets of the National Basketball Association . In the mid-1960s, civic leaders in New Jersey began calling for a sports complex in the New Jersey Meadowlands that would be able to lure an NFL team from New York City. The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority Law was passed by the New Jersey Legislature in 1971 and signed by then– Governor of New Jersey William T. Cahill . The first chairman of
8439-441: The third floor of the mall's candy and novelty store IT'SUGAR. The eatery, which sells Oreo -themed desserts and beverages, was the first of its kind. On September 14, 2021, Hasbro announced that the company would open a branded game room at American Dream called The Game Room powered by Hasbro. The venue, which is the first of its kind, would include an arcade platform with video games and interactive amusements like Skee Golf. It
8536-412: The tract would have been converted into stormwater retention basins . After Empire and Mills announced their proposal in 1996, the project quickly became controversial and faced opposition from a variety of environmental and conservationist groups, as well as the tract's congressman, Steve Rothman . Opponents stated that the mall would have a devastating impact on the ecological health of the area, while
8633-463: The water park's opening date. In August 2018, Triple Five revealed that H&M , Uniqlo , and Zara would open stores at the mall; the three stores would be those companies' largest mall-based flagship locations. On September 25, 2018, the New Jersey Hall of Fame announced that they would be permanently moving to American Dream. On March 12, 2019, Barneys New York announced that it would open
8730-836: The years, the NJSEA's purview expanded to include Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport and the Wildwoods Convention Center in Wildwood . In Atlantic City , the Authority oversaw the construction and development of the Convention Center and the renovation of the historic Boardwalk Hall , the long-time home of the Miss America Pageant. In the 1990s the NJSEA built the New Jersey State Aquarium (now known as
8827-492: Was announced that Lord & Taylor would no longer be a tenant at American Dream, due to the company's decision to liquidate all of its stores as soon as the company reopened, in anticipation of a bankruptcy process brought about by the pandemic. On June 24, GNC announced that it would also no longer operate a store at the mall. Barneys New York had also withdrawn from American Dream, and several other tenants were considering canceling their leases or reducing their space at
8924-662: Was announced that the Sea Life Aquarium and the Legoland Discovery Center would open at some point in early 2021. On September 9, 2020, American Dream and Hackensack Meridian Health announced a ten-year partnership. The partnership includes opening an urgent care center at the complex, helping the complex reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic , and having pop-up events at American Dream about health and wellness. On October 1, 2020, American Dream officially reopened. That same day, NJ.com reported that Coca-Cola Eats,
9021-583: Was first proposed in 2003 by the Mills Corporation as the Meadowlands Xanadu , with construction beginning in 2004. After the Mills Corporation's bankruptcy in 2007, the project was taken over by Colony Capital . In May 2009, construction stalled due to the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers . Triple Five Group announced intent to take over the mall in May 2011, and on July 31, 2013, officially gained control of
9118-604: Was later permanently protected by the Meadowlands Conservation Trust, which purchased it in 2005 and renamed it the Richard P. Kane Natural Area after a noted New Jersey conservationist. In July 2002, the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA) issued a request for proposal for a project in the area that was then the parking lot of the Continental Airlines Arena . The request was inspired by
9215-456: Was officially announced on May 3, 2011. Among the changes to the project would an expansion to 3 million square feet, an 8.5-acre indoor glass-domed amusement park, water parks, and an ice skating rink. In July 2012 DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg announced that a DreamWorks Water Park would open at the mall. In June 2012, the Giants and the Jets sought an injunction against Triple Five from resuming construction after it took over
9312-413: Was owned by Empire Ltd., a company which had purchased the land in 1961 and had been planning a major development since 1987. The commercial development would have consisted of 2.1 million square feet (200,000 m) of retail space, a hotel, and 1 million square feet (93,000 m) of office space on 206 acres (83 ha) of the tract. To mitigate the heavy environmental impact, the remainder of
9409-475: Was scheduled to open near the SeaLife Aquarium in 2022. In the early hours of September 25, 2021, the ski slope caught fire, but no injuries were reported. In the weeks after the fire, the mall's management announced that repairs would take months to be completed. In December 2021, NJ.com reported that Toys R Us would open a 20,000 square foot, two-story global flagship store at American Dream. In light of
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