Walk into downtown Westfield today and the vibe is still unmistakably "Old Money New Jersey." There is a specific kind of quiet wealth here. You can smell the expensive candles from the boutiques and hear the soft hum of luxury SUVs. But for anyone who grew up in Union County, there is a giant, elegant ghost looming over the corner of North Avenue and Elm Street. It’s the building that used to house Lord & Taylor Westfield New Jersey.
It wasn't just a store. Honestly, it was a social compass.
When the news hit in 2020 that Lord & Taylor was shuttering all locations, Westfield felt it deeper than most. This wasn't some generic mall anchor that died a slow death behind a food court. This was a standalone, architectural landmark that had defined the town’s retail identity since 1947. Losing it felt like the town lost its North Star.
Why Lord & Taylor Westfield New Jersey Was Different
Most people think of department stores as these massive, windowless boxes. Not this one. The Westfield location was special because it felt like a manor house. It had those big, inviting windows and a scale that actually fit the neighborhood. You didn't feel like you were entering a corporate machine; you felt like you were walking into a very wealthy friend’s closet.
The store survived decades of shifts in how we shop. It saw the rise of the mega-mall. It saw the birth of Amazon. For a long time, it seemed invincible because of the customer base. We're talking about generations of families who bought their first communion dresses, prom suits, and wedding registry items in those aisles.
But then, things got messy.
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The decline wasn't just about "the death of retail." That’s a lazy narrative. The real story of Lord & Taylor Westfield New Jersey involves a complicated web of private equity moves, the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) era, and a final, ill-fated acquisition by the rental startup Le Tote. That last part still baffles most retail analysts. A tech-heavy clothing rental subscription service buying a 194-year-old luxury department store? It was a weird marriage from the jump.
The Empty Aisle Reality
Walking through the store during its final liquidation sale in late 2020 was, frankly, depressing. The "Bird Cage" restaurant—a staple for ladies who lunch—had long since faded. The high-end service that defined the brand was replaced by yellow "70% OFF" signs taped to mahogany fixtures.
It was a stark reminder that even the most loyal customer base can't save a brand if the corporate overhead is suffocating. Hudson's Bay Company had already sold the brand to Le Tote for about $75 million in 2019, but they kept the real estate. That’s a key detail people miss. The building itself stayed under the HBC umbrella (through their real estate arm, HBC Streetworks Development), while the "business" of selling clothes was what actually went bankrupt.
The Controversial "One Westfield Place" Plan
So, what do you do with a massive, iconic empty building in the middle of one of the most expensive zip codes in America? You get a lot of arguments.
The site of the former Lord & Taylor Westfield New Jersey became the focal point for a massive redevelopment project known as "One Westfield Place." HBC Streetworks Development proposed a plan that would basically transform the entire area. We aren't just talking about a few new shops. The proposal included:
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- Transforming the old department store building into high-end office spaces.
- Building luxury residential units for the 55+ demographic.
- Adding significant parking garages to handle the influx of commuters and residents.
- Creating a "town square" feel with outdoor plazas.
This sparked a firestorm in town. If you go to a town council meeting in Westfield or look at local Facebook groups, the divide is clear. On one side, you have people who realize that a giant empty building is a tax drain and a blight. They want the modernization. On the other side, there’s a vocal group of residents who fear "city-fication." They worry about traffic on North Avenue and the loss of that specific, small-town charm that Lord & Taylor actually helped maintain.
The irony is thick. The store that symbolized "Old Westfield" is now the catalyst for "New Westfield."
Understanding the Retail Shift in Union County
Westfield’s retail scene is moving toward "experiential" and "boutique." The days of a one-stop-shop for everything from hosiery to furniture are over. While stores like Williams-Sonoma and Apple keep the foot traffic high nearby, the Lord & Taylor footprint was simply too large for any single modern retailer to take over.
Some people hoped for a Nordstrom or a Neiman Marcus to move in. Realistically? That was never going to happen. Those brands are consolidating into "A-list" malls like Short Hills. A standalone suburban footprint is a massive risk in 2026.
The reality of the Lord & Taylor Westfield New Jersey closure is a lesson in adaptability. The brand failed because it lost its niche between "ultra-luxury" and "attainable mall brand." It got stuck in the middle.
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What’s Next for the Site?
The redevelopment is moving forward, albeit with plenty of local oversight and occasional legal hiccups. The "One Westfield Place" project is designed to bring people back to that corner of town, but for a different reason. Instead of buying a Ralph Lauren polo, you might be going there to work in a boutique tech office or grab a cocktail in a landscaped courtyard.
It's a pivot from "consumption" to "lifestyle."
Is it the same? No. Does it hurt to see the old signage gone? Absolutely. But the "Bird Cage" days aren't coming back, and the town has to decide if it wants to be a museum or a functioning 21st-century hub.
Practical Steps for Navigating the "Post-Lord & Taylor" Westfield:
- Support the remaining "Legacy" boutiques: Stores like The Leader Store and local independent shops are what keep Westfield from becoming a generic outdoor mall. If you miss the service at Lord & Taylor, spend your money where the owners still know your name.
- Stay involved in the HBC Streetworks meetings: If you live in the area, don't just complain on Nextdoor. The town holds regular planning board meetings regarding the Lord & Taylor site redevelopment. Your input on traffic patterns and green space actually matters during the "site plan" phase.
- Explore the "New" Downtown: The parking situation around the old Lord & Taylor site is still in flux due to construction and staging. Use the parking apps (like Boxcar or the local muni-meter apps) to find spots on the south side of the tracks to avoid the North Avenue congestion.
- Look for Pop-ups: Occasionally, the development team uses the space or surrounding lots for community events. It’s a good way to get a feel for the "new" scale of the project before it’s fully built out.
The building might change, but the corner of North and Elm will always be the heart of the town. Whether it's a department store or a modern plaza, the goal remains the same: keeping Westfield a place where people actually want to get out of their cars and walk around.