Public realm refresh for Mercato slated to begin in July
North American Properties and PGIM Real Estate have shared their vision for elevating Mercato as a walkable, experiential oasis. The project is focused on reinventing the public realm through modern placemaking trends. Construction will begin mid-July and is slated for completion by November, just in time for the holidays.
In August 2022, NAP entered a management agreement with PGIM Real Estate to reposition the 450,000-square-foot development as a people-oriented entertainment hub. Plans call for tripling the size of Mercato’s 3,000-square-foot Piazza, located adjacent to Bravo Italian Kitchen and Narrative Coffee Roasters, and creating a more connected, pedestrian-friendly environment throughout the center.
“While Mercato does have a few small social gathering spots, it’s missing a central space that can host large-scale events and encourage guests to stay a while,” said Nick Lombardo, vice president of development at NAP. “We’re looking forward to redefining the Piazza and creating a lively experience for our guests.”
To expand the Piazza and accommodate Mercato’s 100+ annual events (currently hosted on the event lawn near Rocco’s Tacos), additional turf, seat walls, and benches will be implemented, fashioning it into an energetic haven at the property’s core. Other features on tap for the Piazza refresh include a new, covered performance stage, landscaping, and more site lighting. The signature Banyan tree is also being embellished from trunk to branches with illuminated, custom-made lanterns and color-changing LED lights.
In addition, the greenspace will be lowered to street level, allowing guests to comfortably spill out onto Strada Place – Mercato’s main boulevard – when it’s closed to vehicle traffic. Directly across the street, select parking spaces will be converted to expand the sidewalk and build a new lounge area between Lovesac and forthcoming Beeline. A branded mural, painted to serve as a crosswalk, will connect the two activity zones.
Beyond the public realm overhaul, NAP’s leasing team has shifted Mercato’s merchandising strategy and started emboldening retailers to design storefronts that reflect their individual brand aesthetics, enhancing the pedestrian experience. These efforts have attracted several businesses to join the lineup, including Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, iFlex, Lovesac, Old Vines, The Shade Store, Tempur-Pedic, and Warby Parker, with Beeline, Birch Lane, Tap 42, and Waxin’s Restaurang & Bar still to come.
“There’s a reason why Naples just ranked number one on the U.S. News and World Report’s ‘Best Places to Live in the U.S.’ list. We love contributing to that experience, and we’re really excited about bringing even more to our community through this revitalization,” said Michael McLean, general manager at Mercato.