New York Construction Report staff writer
Construction is underway on the redevelopment of the former King Kullen shopping center in Mount Sinai, a project that will transform the long-vacant property into a renovated retail destination anchored by Whole Foods Market.
Local officials, developers and project partners gathered recently at 5507 Nesconset Highway for a ceremony marking the start of work on the site, which has remained largely vacant since King Kullen closed its store there in June 2019.
The shopping center was acquired by Regency Centers, which has renamed the property Crystal Brook Corner. The redevelopment is expected to include extensive façade improvements, parking lot upgrades and a broader remerchandising effort centered around the addition of Whole Foods Market as the center’s anchor tenant.
“This site has been a familiar part of the Mount Sinai community for many years, and I am excited to see it enter a new chapter,” Brookhaven Town Councilwoman Jane Bonner said. “I look forward to seeing this shopping center revitalized, and to welcoming Whole Foods to our community.”
Located along the heavily traveled Route 347 and Route 25A corridor, the property serves an area that includes Mount Sinai, Port Jefferson and surrounding communities. Developers said the redesign is intended to modernize the center and better meet the daily shopping needs of local residents.
The redevelopment represents a significant investment in a property that has been a fixture in the community for decades. Officials said the project will create a renewed focal point along Nesconset Highway while improving the appearance and functionality of the shopping center.
Regency Centers said the transformation of Crystal Brook Corner is aimed at enhancing the customer experience and strengthening the center’s role as a neighborhood retail destination.
The project team includes Regency Centers, Forchelli Law and R&M Engineering.
A timeline for completion has not yet been announced, but officials said the finished center is expected to become a key commercial hub for the Mount Sinai area.
