American Dream Meadowlands
American Dream Meadowlands is a large retail and entertainment complex in the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey.[4] As of 2024, it is the second-largest shopping mall in the United States with more than 450 stores.[8]
Location
October 25, 2019 (Nickelodeon Universe and Ice Rink)[1]
December 5, 2019 (Big Snow)[2]
October 1, 2020 (DreamWorks Water Park, retail stores and dining)[3]
Meadowlands Mills
Meadowlands Xanadu
Triple Five Group
450+[4]
6[5]
3,000,000 sq ft (280,000 m2)[6]
33,000 spaces[7]
The first and second of four opening stages occurred on October 25, 2019, and on December 5, 2019.[9][10] The remaining opening stages occurred on or after October 1, 2020.[11]
The project was first proposed in 2003 by the Mills Corporation as the Meadowlands Xanadu, with construction beginning in 2004.[12] 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 the mall and the surrounding site.[13]
After a series of ownership changes, financing issues, construction delays, and legal challenges, construction stopped again in December 2016.[14][15] In late June 2017, construction had resumed, after new financing had been secured,[16][17] 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 the Big Snow American Dream ski slope in December. The DreamWorks Water Park, which was scheduled to open March 19, 2020,[18] as well as the mall's retail shops and restaurants, were delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic,[19] which forced the mall's temporary closure on March 8.[20] 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,[21] while other amusements and the mall's first major retail outlets reopened on October 1.[22][23]
As of December 2021, the mall has approximately 200 tenants.[24]
Transportation and parking[edit]
Public transport[edit]
Public transportation to American Dream Meadowlands' on-site bus hub and train station[7] is provided by NJ Transit.[149] Direct local and express bus service to American Dream includes the following NJ Transit Bus lines:[150]