Toys 'R' Us Is Headed Across the River to the American Dream Mall

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While rumors of a joint store between the now-displaced FAO Schwarz and the soon-to-be-displaced Toys 'R' Us remain rumors for now, the latter has found at least one new home in the tri-state area. They'll be taking 55,000 square feet across three levels at the American Dream Mall, according to the New York Times, which also reports that construction is finally going full speed ahead at the East Rutherford, New Jersey site after several years of delays.

It's the latest big name in a series of big names that have been revealed recently, from the high end (Hermès) to more typical mall names (Gap, Banana Republic, Uniqlo, Zara, Lululemon, and such) to the department store trifecta of Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord & Taylor, and Saks Off Fifth. It was previously rumored that FAO Schwarz would land here, but that has yet to be confirmed.

As for the current Toys 'R' Us flagship, it'll exit its Times Square flagship on December 30th, and will eventually be replaced by Gap and Old Navy. And there's no need to move their giant Ferris wheel across the Hudson River, since this site that'll boast an indoor water park and ski slope, a Cirque du Soleil show, an 800-room hotel, and more will have its own 300-foot wheel, the Times writes.

And the most current opening date from developers Triple Five Group, who are also responsible for the Mall of America? Late summer 2017.