2025 Top 10 Retail Center Experiences: No. 2 American Dream
All three of mega-mall-maker Triple Five’s properties in North America are renowned for celebrity-studded events that draw thousands of guests.
But American Dream, which ranked No. 2 on Chain Store Age's annual Top Retail Center Experiences list for 2025, holds a “location-location-location” advantage over Mall of America and West Edmonton Mall in this regard. The center is located close to the Hudson River in the New Jersey Meadowlands. It's about 10 miles from Manhattan.
One can see the neon lights on Broadway from the top of the center’s Wonder Wheel. Celebs are often locals who are not only big-time draws, but regular customers as well.
In the past year, Kim Kardashian, Cardi B and Eli Manning have hosted their kids’ birthday parties there. Boxer Jake Paul has surfed the water park, and singer Jelly Roll shut it down to entertain his team there.
Travis Scott, Russell Wilson, Ice T, Nicky Hilton, Shaun White, and Paul Rudd have all recently been spotted traversing American Dream’s concourses.
In March the Jonas Brothers — New Jersey natives who regularly bring their kids to the attractions there — hosted JonasCon at American Dream. Live performances by the band, DJ sets, Q&A panels, and immersive experiences drew more than 100,000 people.
“We recently did a great event with Kendrick Lamar that drew thousands, as well,” said American Dream’s COO Paul Ghermezian. “Top stars like to take advantage of the American Dream stage because it allows them to interact with fans and consumers in a way that they can’t in a public performance. Fans who buy concert tickets are already their fans. At American Dream, they can make new fans.”
Over the last year, American Dream made ultimate use of its ice rink as a bona-fide sports venue. Transformed into a basketball court, it sponsored a 10-game appearance by the Harlem Globetrotters. Converted to a football field, it hosted The Arena Football League’s 33rd ArenaBowl Championship game.
But the best is yet to come. Soccer’s World Cup Finals in 2026 will be played at Met Life Stadium, across the parking lot from American Dream, and it is already gearing up for the occasion.
Ghermezian notes that it takes more than a 3 million-sq.-ft. center packed with 450 tenants to host throng-worthy events such as these. It also depends on a highly professional and fast-working team of event managers and construction crews.
“We have incredible team members that put their hearts and souls into every event,” he said. “Every member of the team is a part of the family. They work until two in the morning taking things down and putting things up. They all execute at a very high level.”
