Entertainment and retail center American Dream in East Rutherford, N.J. won international acclaim at the 2023 Global RLI Awards ceremony recently held in London.
American Dream took home the Most Innovative Retail & Tourism Destination Award. The Global RLI Awards, presided over and founded by Retail & Leisure International (RLI), honor the “best in the world of retail and leisure.”
This was the 18th award ceremony, with London serving as its “iconic home,” RLI Publisher Jayne Rafter says. Ceremonies have taken place in Dubai, Los Angeles and more recently, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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The Global RLI Awards 2023 follow the tradition of recognizing “innovation and dynamism” in a sector that has shown its ability to pivot fast under always-changing market conditions.
“We are thrilled to see the work of decades by our team of designers and the vision and perseverance of our client Triple Five Group and partners at Adamson Associates Architects and Gensler, get recognition from the international community,” said Frank Di Niro, the design director on the American Dream project .
“We couldn’t be prouder to be a part of a project and property that is unique in its concept and offer and be able to put it front and center on the global stage,” he added.
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Since Di Niro couldn’t attend the London ceremony, Head of Benoy EMEA, Jamie Webb, accepted the award. Benoy acquired GH+A, the lead design team at American Dream since 2012.
When American Dream was shortlisted for the award in April, Di Niro pointed to center as the “first project to combine a varied a mix of shopping, entertainment, and attractions under one roof.”
Di Niro said there are over “450 retailers, amenities and dining offerings enhanced by the ultimate leisure experiences.”
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The GLA (gross leasable area) breaks out to 45% dedicated to retail and 55% percent entertainment, Di Niro said.
“The team worked tirelessly to create a sleek contemporary environment,” he added.
As part of a broader partnership with Gensler and Adamson Associates Architects, Benoy provided masterplanning, concept, schematic design, design development, tenant design criteria and review, and environmental graphics design.
Benoy called American Dream a “state-of-the-art hybrid retail, entertainment, and food destination that rivals the grandest in its category internationally.”
The U.K.-based architecture firm said it was “delighted” to see the “Retailtainment mega complex” get global recognition.
