The Mall at Short Hills - History

History

One of the first planned communities in the country, Short Hills was created by Stewart Hartshorn, a poet and nature lover who purchased 1,500 acres (6.1 km2) of New Jersey land in the late 1800s.

Throughout the first half of the century, the suburban community grew. It became clear that local residents needed local shopping. This began to take shape in 1949 when the Prudential Insurance Company of America acquired a tract of land where The Mall at Short Hills and part of the Canoe Brook Country Club now sit.

Seven years later, B. Altman opened a 130,000 square feet (12,000 m2) store on the land and eventually added an additional 50,000 square feet (4,600 m2). In the early '60s, a small center opened. The open-air center included Bonwit Teller along with retailers such as FAO Schwarz, Pottery Barn and Brentano's.

Development continued as America's largest Bloomingdale's premiered on the site in 1967. The 243,000 square feet (22,600 m2) store included an entire floor devoted to furniture and decorative accessories. In addition, smaller "boutiques" were created in the store such as, Young World, Delicacies Shop, Au Gourmet, a men’s store, and a restaurant.

In 1974, Prudential Insurance Company of America began working with The Taubman Company, The Mall at Short Hills' current owner. By 1981, the two had completed a two-year, $100 million project to enclose the mall, which at that time included 1,160,000 square feet (108,000 m2) of gross leasable space and three anchor stores. New retailers included Godiva Chocolatier, Black Star and Frost, The Limited and Gap. The same year, 1981, Abraham and Strauss joined the center.

The first phase of a major expansion, begun in 1993, was completed in November 1994 adding a 100,000 square feet (9,300 m2) Saks Fifth Avenue, a totally renovated Bloomingdale's and Abraham & Strauss became Macy’s.

The next expansion phase was completed in August 1995 adding two anchors -- a 129,000 square feet (12,000 m2) Neiman Marcus and a 172,000 square feet (16,000 m2) Nordstrom -- and new specialty stores including Tiffany & Co., Crate & Barrel, DKNY, Polo Ralph Lauren, Kenneth Cole, Fendi and MaxMara.