Miracle Mall plans expansion, renovations
Former Pier 1 Imports building to be used for offices and bank
BY VINCENT TODARO
Staff Writer

EAST BRUNSWICK - The mall that was formerly home to Pier 1 Imports is undergoing an expansion and other changes.

The Miracle Mall, located at 275 Route 18 south, at Lake Avenue, is currently home to PetSmart, Hong Kong Asian Market and other businesses. The Harary Group, which owns the site, plans to expand the mall with additional retail uses and convert the section that was formerly home to Pier 1 Imports into offices and a bank.

The township Planning Board recently approved the application for major site plan modifications, granting numerous bulk variances and waivers.

Among the changes will be an additional 18,000-square-foot building at the southwest corner of the mall. Also planned is a 4,226-square-foot building addition at the northwest corner of the mall, and another 1,600 square feet of space along the southeast corner.

The roughly 10,000-square-foot freestanding building in the northeast corner of the parcel, formerly Pier 1, will be converted for real estate offices and a bank, according to documents on file in the township's Planning and Engineering Department. The bank will not have a drive-through.

The mall currently has about 108,000 square feet of retail use, including the above businesses and the existing 3,700-square-foot Burger King. With the three building additions and the Pier 1 conversion, the mall will have a total of 145,493 square feet.

The mall currently has some vacant retail space, and its owners hope to attract a new anchor store with the additions.

The Harary Group had to receive a number of variances and waivers for the application. According to the Planning Board's resolution, the application includes only 59.8 feet of front setback, though 60 feet is required. That, however, is an existing nonconformity to Lake Avenue.

Other existing nonconformities for which variances were granted include the maximum lot coverage, where 75 percent is allowed but 88 percent planned; landscape buffer, where 20 feet is required but only 3 feet provided; and the parking/driveway setback, 10 feet required, 4 feet provided. Other areas where variances were granted include those for the number of free-standing signs, and for their height and size.

Also, the total number of parking spots planned is only 644 for the shopping center and Burger King, though 839 are required by township ordinance. The board also granted waivers for the buffer, where 25 feet are needed but only three provided, and for curbing, building enclosure, wall-mounted lighting, loading bay, sidewalk detail and refuse enclosure.

The Harary Group argued that the variances and waivers were needed because the additions and renovations will represent an aesthetic upgrade to the area, and a more efficient use of the land.

The first phase of construction will involve conversion of the former Pier 1 building. Phase two will include the additions to the north end of the mall, and phase three the additions to the south end.