Terhune Harrison Mixed Use Village
Project Name: Terhune Harrison Mixed Use Village
Transformational redevelopment knitting together several residential and commercial sites to form a revitalized suburban mixed-use village with affordable housing in Princeton.
Primary Partner Team: AvalonBay Communities | The Alice Princeton | LRK | Municipality of Princeton | Phillips Preiss Grygiel Leheny Hughes
Terhune Harrison Mixed Use Village in Princeton is a model for how strategic redevelopment can knit together and revitalize a community by building on existing assets, planning comprehensively, and engaging with residents to shape a project that meets local needs. This ambitious development transforms an underutilized shopping center, obsolete office park, and disconnected public park into an integrated, vibrant mixed-use village that enhances connectivity, encourages placemaking, and supports a diversity of residents.
Before its redevelopment, the site of Terhune Harrison Mixed Use Village was a prime example of “stranded assets”—properties that had fallen into disrepair and no longer served the community effectively. The Princeton Shopping Center, once a central hub for the town, had become increasingly isolated and underused as commercial activity shifted elsewhere; likewise, the adjacent office park and public park were poorly connected and also suffered neglect and decline.
Recognizing the potential to rejuvenate these assets, the municipal leaders and developers embarked on a project to restore the site and reimagine its role within the broader Princeton community. A key element of this transformation was an evolving process of community engagement and adjusting the project to meet local needs. Feedback from neighbors led to design changes that increased the project’s integration with surrounding areas, enhanced pedestrian connectivity, and ensured appropriate buffers between the new development and existing homes. The project reestablishes a vibrant town center, creating a walkable, bike-friendly environment that invites residents and visitors to explore, socialize, and engage with their surroundings.
The development also addresses Princeton’s pressing need for affordable housing, offering a mix of over 700 new residential units that cater to a wide range of income levels and needs. This includes market-rate apartments, affordable housing for individuals and families, housing for adults with special needs, short-term transitional crisis housing, and senior supportive housing with wraparound services at an adjacent large, senior-oriented medical practice.
In addition to housing, the project brings significant public benefits, particularly in transportation and environmental sustainability. The expansion of Princeton’s free municipal bus service to include the Mixed Use Village ensures that residents have access to key destinations throughout town and to NJ Transit, while a new Sustainable Transportation Fund, supported by private contributions, lays the groundwork for future transit enhancements. The project’s focus on environmental sustainability is further evident in its stormwater management plan, which includes upgraded detention basins and green infrastructure to address flooding and reduce runoff.
Terhune Harrison Mixed Use Village is more than a redevelopment project; it is a catalyst for placemaking in Princeton. By leveraging existing assets, engaging with the community, and focusing on reconnection and accessibility, the project has created a vibrant, sustainable environment that benefits both current residents and future generations. New Jersey Future is proud to recognize Terhune Harrison Mixed Use Village with a 2024 Smart Growth Award, celebrating its innovative approach to transforming a challenged area into a thriving, resilient community.
