American Dream Sets October Opening Date After Delays

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — After several delays, American Dream, the $5 billion retail and entertainment destination coming to Meadowlands, has announced an opening date. It is the first specific date announced by American Dream or its developer, Triple Five Group.

The 3 million-square-foot mega-mall will open on Oct. 25, a news release from American Dream states.

"We know that the community has been eagerly awaiting the launch of this incredible global destination," said Don Ghermezian, president of American Dream. "We have a one-of-a-kind property that will reshape the way people think about entertainment, theme parks and shopping, and we are so excited to reveal our incredible Nickelodeon Theme Park, DreamWorks Water Park, and Big SNOW Ski and Snowboard Park."

American Dream has a long and complicated history dating back to 2003 and the ill-fated Meadowlands Xanadu project. Triple Five, the project's third developer, took over in 2011.

American Dream was originally slated to open in 2017, but Triple Five pushed back the completion date because it had difficulty securing the financing. It worked with Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan to secure $1.6 billion in construction financing. Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan also sold $1.1 billion in tax-exempt bonds for the project.

This year, a post on the project's Instagram's account stated that the $5 billion retail and entertainment destination would open in "late summer." Triple Five later changed that date to the fall.

All American Dream's entertainment options include a Nickelodeon Universe theme park with the steepest roller coaster in the world, a DreamWorks water park with "Shrek" and "How To Train Your Dragon" attractions, the Big SNOW Ski and Snowboard Park, the first indoor ski and snowboard park in the Western Hemisphere, and the first Sea Life Aquarium in New Jersey with a walk-through, saltwater tunnel. Previously, there was some question if the DreamWorks water park would open with the rest of American Dream.

It is unknown if all 450 retailers and every attraction will be open Oct. 25. Nathan Kovach, a spokesperson with KCD, which represents American Dream, could not immediately answer questions about what would specifically be open when contacted Wednesday. Triple Five previously said not every store would be open on Day 1. They will continue to open through the holiday season and in early 2020, a news release from American Dream previously stated.

American Dream is broken up into five connected sections more than a half-mile long.

Between 30 and 40 million people are expected to visit American Dream within its first year of opening. A number of those are expected to be New York City tourists. That's why an 800-room luxury hotel is being developed and a concierge reception team fluent in Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, French, Russian, Portuguese, Arabic, and other languages will be on hand to help people.

There will be two "world's first" food options at American Dream: A Kosher fall court and a 38,000 square-foot MUNCHIES food hall. They will feature cuisines from around the world. There will be a huge food court with more than 100 offerings, 15 sit-down restaurants and a Coca-Cola-themed food hall dubbed Coca-Cola Eats.

Grisini is planning a European-style food hall and coffee shop. It will be similar to food halls found in Paris, London, Italy, and throughout Europe, according to the Grisini website.

American Dream is expected to significantly impact North Jersey's economy. It is expected to generate $1.2 billion in income and 16,000 jobs in its first year of operation.

Related:

• Here's What Roller Coasters Are Coming To American Dream [Video]
• Aquarium, LEGOLAND Coming To American Dream Center
• 12-Story Indoor Ski Park Planned For Meadowlands Mega Mall
• Take A Virtual Tour Of American Dream's Water Park [Videos]
• World's First MUNCHIES Food Hall Coming To American Dream
• Huge Adult Arcade Coming To American Dream Meadowlands
• Take A Virtual Tour Of American Dream's Water Park [Videos]
• It Appears American Dream's Opening Has Been Pushed Back (Again)
• American Dream Meadowlands Pushes Opening Date Back — Again

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com