Shoppes at Buckland Hills manager plans new direction after Namdar's $25.8 million purchase

MANCHESTER — Now, with the Namdar Realty Group as the new owner of the Shoppes at Buckland Hills, , the new management team is quickly getting up to speed with leasing and maintenance activities.

The Manchester shopping mall fell into foreclosure in June 2021 after It previously went into payment arrears. for a $130 million mortgage. In January 2025, the U.S. District Court for Connecticut approved a $25.8 million sale of the property to Namdar, Mason Asset Management, and CH Capital Group.

Justin Roberts, the new manager of the Shoppes at Buckland Hills He mentioned that he has stayed occupied in the time following Namdar’s takeover of the property, which involved cultivating relationships with the local community.

“Communication is crucial,” Roberts stated. “Everything has been quite positive so far.”

Before the sale, certain municipal authorities voiced their concerns. concerns regarding Namdar's history of accomplishments like its other shopping centers throughout the state, specifically the Meriden Mall , the Trumbull Mall , Waterford's Crystal Mall , and the Enfield Square Mall , now with new management and slated to begin demolition as part of A $250 million revitalization project .

In an issued statement, Town Manager Steve Stephanou announced on Friday that Manchester authorities engaged in a “fruitful” discussion with the recently appointed mall administration the previous week.

"I stressed that the town is committed to seeing the Buckland Hills property and surrounding area thrive and reach its full potential," Stephanou said. "We are hopeful that the new owner shares that vision."

Roberts mentioned that besides talking with the Town Manager andPlanning Department staff last week, he also had meetings with the FireMarshal and representatives from the Health and Building departments soonafter Namdar acquired the mall property.

I wish to keep that relationship intact and proceed as they are accustomed to," Roberts stated. "It’s also good to take initiative instead of assuming their preferences.

Roberts mentioned that one aspect of his role involves establishing local connections and collaborating with brokers to reach out to the business community, particularly to address bigger vacancies. He noted that the mall is currently seeking a new occupant for an empty 80,000-square-foot anchor space. previously the location of Bob's Stores .

"If we secure this anchor, our aim is to generate local news coverage indicating that something new is happening here," Roberts stated.

Namdar does not own the empty Sears main store nor those occupied by JCPenney and Macy's all of which have been independently owned of the mall property for many years.

The previous Forever 21 store, with its sizable 16,240-square-foot space, seems ideally positioned for an entertainment venue according to Roberts. Additionally, he mentioned that two possible renters have shown interest in the available spaces designated for food courts.

Looking ahead, Roberts mentioned that he envisions possibilities for the Shoppes at Buckland Mills to address voids in the current market offerings. Specialized wedding retail shops could supplement existing boutiques selling dresses and accessories nearby, transforming Buckland into a key destination for bridal shopping. This shift is expected to attract greater pedestrian traffic, particularly from outside the state.

"We're also very interested in bringing in a designer boutique consignment store," Roberts said, a store which would focus on handbags and other high-end clothing items.

Roberts mentioned that the mall aims to discover additional activities to attract visitors, similar to how Brick Swap intends to cater to LEGO enthusiasts with its newly launched venue that debuted last week.

When questioned regarding the possible redevelopment of the mall’s adjacent parking areas—a concept examined in Manchester’s 2022 plan for preservation and growth—Roberts stated that their present priority is enhancing the mall’s amenities and upgrading the premises; however, they kept this notion open-ended.

"Namdar has explored that idea at different locations before, but many factors come into play," Roberts explained.

Roberts mentioned that their present emphasis involves enhancing the appearance of the mall and entryways through significant landscape improvements scheduled soon. Additional immediate tasks encompass essential repairs such as HVAC services, upkeep of fire systems and sprinklers, along with fixing asphalt surfaces and sidewalks.

Roberts stated, "There are many mundane tasks happening at the back end that aren’t visible to most people but require significant funding. It might not be exciting... yet it’s utterly crucial."

Roberts mentioned he has resided in the region for approximately 26 years and regards the Shoppes at Buckland Hills as "one of the top shopping destinations in the state." He also noted that he has held management roles at several establishments within this mall complex in the past.

Roberts stated, "My daily travel time is just four minutes." He continued, "Being a local resident myself, I aim to witness the prosperity of this area along with the success of its residents. That’s why we’re starting off strong from day one."