Long Branch, N.J. – In what has become known as New Jersey’s City by the Sea, Kushner has appointed Pierson Commercial as the exclusive retail leasing agent for Pier Village, a year-round oceanfront residential, commercial and recreational destination in Long Branch, N.J.
Situated along 2,000 feet of prime Jersey Shore oceanfront, Pier Village attracts over 2.3 million annual visitors and encompasses 170,000 SF of retail, 492 luxury apartment rentals, 245 upscale condominiums and 91 hotel rooms.
Kushner, owner of Pier Village as well as nearby Monmouth Mall, is credited with achieving strong, stabilized occupancy rates that exceed 98% across Pier Village’s apartment homes.
The new phase of Pier Village, completed just this summer, features over 50,000 SF of retail, which already includes retailers such as Salt Steakhouse, Hot Mess Studio, Baked Bear and Boardwalk Fun & Games Arcade. In addition to the retail component, it also includes 245 luxury condominiums – 80 percent of which were pre-sold – and the modern Wave Resort.
According to Pierson Commercial’s Director Ryan Starkman, the Pierson/Kushner team is focused on taking an extremely successful retail and mixed-use development to the next level by focusing on the lease-up opportunities of this new phase of modern retail.
“Pier Village has become a bustling ‘South Beach-Style’ town center,” said Starkman, who is spearheading the leasing assignment. “It is the epicenter for dining, shopping, entertainment, hospitality and living.”
In addition to offering a vibrant beach vibe during the summer months, Pier Village is a year-round live/work/play destination. Top attractions include the boardwalk Carousel, opened in 2019; the Ice Rink at the Pier during the winter; Boardwalk Fun ‘N Games Arcade and the Spring Kite Festival, among others. Ongoing events include wine tastings, holiday celebrations, farmer’s markets, movies and concerts at the pier.
“We are excited to add Pierson Commercial as the retail leasing specialists to our best-in-class team,” said Nicole Kushner Meyer, principal of Kushner. “The Shops at Pier Village are coming alive and we are proud to welcome a diverse group of new retailers, restaurants and service providers to the neighborhood.”
The Pierson Commercial team notes fortified population growth has attracted a wide range of new local, regional and national retailers to Pier Village while also spurring expansions among current tenants. New and established retail and restaurant operators are drawn to the high performance of the street-level storefronts. Recent leasing activities include:
- Expansions: Salt Nation (formerly Sundaze)
- New Tenants: Robinson Ale House, Kahuna Burger, Mr. Wish, Hummus Republic, Salt, Baked Bear, Makers & Shakers, and Land of Lace, Branch Cantina, 100 Ocean and Boardwalk Coffee
“We are pleased to be named the exclusive leasing agents for Pier Village’s retail component, which continues to keep pace with the diverse lifestyle desires of area residents and visitors drawn to the area and its upscale amenities,” said Jason Pierson, president. Current and past assignments have included The Yard in New Brunswick; Newark’s The Junction at Gateway Center, Ironside Newark and Shops at Hahne’s; The Benjamin at Ridgewood; and Downtown Robbinsville.