Levin Management Corp. (LMC) officially closed 2025 as a banner year for open-air retail, recording nearly 1.1 million square feet in total leasing activity. The year-end results, encompassing 119 transactions, mark a 10% growth over the previous two years and signal a robust appetite for brick-and-mortar spaces anchored by value and entertainment.
A significant milestone for the firm was the achievement of 100% occupancy at six of its major shopping centers, underscoring a trend where retailers are gravitating toward high-visibility, well-managed suburban corridors.
The surge in demand has pushed several properties in the LMC portfolio to total capacity. The following centers reached the 100% leased mark in 2025:
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New Jersey: Flemington Marketplace (Flemington), St. Georges Crossing (Woodbridge), North Village Shopping Center (North Brunswick), and Hamilton Plaza (Hamilton).
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New York: Post Road Plaza (Pelham Manor).
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Virginia: Crossroads Place (Falls Church).
Much of 2025’s success was driven by strategic redevelopments. At Blue Star Shopping Center in Watchung, the expansion of a legacy ShopRite acted as a catalyst for 82,000 square feet of new leases, including national brands like Burlington, Marshalls, and Five Below.
In West Orange, redevelopment momentum at West Orange Plaza—sparked by the arrival of Target—has attracted a fresh mix of wellness and dining concepts, including VIO Med Spa and Namkeen Hot Chicken Joint.
“Retailer demand is concentrating around strong open-air centers with high-performing anchors,” Matthew Harding, CEO of LMC said. “In many cases, we’re right-sizing centers — reshaping space and tenant mix to match what today’s retailers want and what our communities support.”
While value-based apparel and grocery remained the backbone of the portfolio, “experience-led” retail saw a dramatic uptick:
| Category | Key 2025 Additions | Locations |
| Value Retail | Burlington, Marshalls, Savers | Watchung, Woodbridge, Harrisburg |
| Entertainment | Activate Games, Bounce Air Adventure Park | Woodbridge, Somerset |
| Health & Wellness | Planet Fitness, VIO Med Spa | Howell, West Orange |
| Specialty Food | Popup Bagels, Honeygrow | Westfield, Watchung |
LMC’s growth wasn’t confined to retail. The firm also expanded its industrial footprint with a 135,990-square-foot lease at Rutgers Industrial Center in Piscataway. Looking toward the first quarter of 2026, LMC is preparing to deliver an additional 54,000-square-foot industrial expansion to meet the ongoing demand for logistics space in the I-287 corridor.
