STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - There are several large-scale residential and commercial real estate projects that have been in the works for the last few years and are promising to take shape this year.

Here's a look at where all the projects stand:

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Matrix Global Logistics Park

Come early 2020, there should be 4,000 more jobs on Staten Island's West Shore.

All those jobs will be contained within Matrix Global Logistics Park in Bloomfield, where companies like IKEA and Amazon have already hired 200 and 2,500 employees, respectively.

The park will become one of the borough's largest employers, said Joseph S. Taylor, president and CEO of the Cranbury, N.J.-based Matrix Development Group.

IKEA's 975,000-square-foot warehouse distribution center and the 855,000-square-foot building occupied by Amazon were completed last year.

"We have Ikea and Amazon fully occupied since the fall," said Taylor.

Matrix has begun working on the site's next warehouse, a 450,000-square-foot logistics facility on an approximate 50-acre parcel of the site. This building has yet to be leased and will be complete by the end of March, Taylor said.

The last structure on the site will begin construction early this year. It will be a 975,000-square-foot building for which Matrix is seeking a "build to suit tenant," which means a company would sign a lease before construction starts and the structure would be built to its specifications.

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The Boulevard

With all but about 10 percent of the future 400,000-square-foot shopping center, dubbed The Boulevard, spoken for, the project is on track to open in fall 2019, according to its developer. The $180 million shopping center -- to be anchored by ShopRite and Alamo Drafthouse Cinema -- will house 60 retailers in a multi-level "Main Street" format, said Joshua Weinkranz, president, northeast region of the Kimco Realty.

"Construction is going very well. All of the steel erection is complete," said Weinkranz. "We are working on getting all the buildings enclosed so we can continue the interior fit-outs throughout the winter. All that is on schedule."

Since breaking ground in November 2017, Kimco Realty has demolished the 300,000-square-foot former Hylan Plaza.

Weinkranz said the restaurants that have signed leases to open in The Boulevard include: Panera Bread; Menchie's Frozen Yogurt; Hawaii Poke Bowl; Lobo Loco, a Mexican Cantina concept from a local Brooklyn restaurateur. In addition, a Japanese hibachi restaurant will be opening in the "Main Street" portion of The Boulevard, he said.

Other leases signed include: Alamo Drafthouse; Ulta Beauty, ShopRite; PetSmart; AC Moore; Party City and Chase.

And the fourth Staten Island-based LA Fitness will open in The Boulevard.

"We are 90 percent pre-leased. We have a handful of spaces remaining and we have a lot of interest," said Weinkranz.

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Staten Island Mall

The Staten Island Mall's recent 242,000-square-foot renovation, which began in 2015, welcomed a host of new stores and restaurants to the New Springville shopping center.

A centrally located exterior plaza has been created for community gatherings and seasonal events.

A "food district" with a myriad of eateries, as well as restaurants located in other areas of the Mall, have given shoppers many new and exciting dining options.

Among the new retailers is Lidl, a supermarket with German roots.

Opening this year will be a dine-in AMC theater with an IMAX theater, as well as other restaurants and retailers, including Longhorn Steak House.

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The Nicotra Group properties

The Nicotra Group is working on its newest eight-story office building being constructed on an 9-acre site that will include a grape vineyard in Bloomfield.

The Nicotras' newest and largest office building, Corporate Commons Three, to be developed on a nine-acre site is, "one of the biggest projects we've ever undertaken," said Richard Nicotra, chairman and co-owner of The Nicotra Group with his wife, Lois.

Touting the structure as a way to "outsmart Manhattan" in the Corporate Park of Staten Island development in Bloomfield, Nicotra said the 330,000-square-foot LEED certified office building will be complete with finishes and amenities that you would expect to find in Manhattan.

2,500 JOBS TO BE CREATED

The Nicotras said the new building will generate an estimated 2,500 full- and part-time jobs for Staten Island's West Shore, which has been referred to as the Jobs Coast of Staten Island. Additionally, the John W. Lavelle Preparatory Charter School will expand operations in the new structure.

STATEN ISLAND HAMPTON INN 7 SUITES GETTING OVERHAUL

To prepare for the influx of tourists expected to visit Staten Island as part of the North Shore waterfront revitalization, The Nicotra Group added 100 guests rooms to the Hampton Inn & Suites and renovating the hotel in Bloomfield.

"The hotel will have a whole new look," said Lois Nicotra of The Nicotra Group.

"It will be very sleek and neat," said her husband, Richard. "We are renovating our existing 107 rooms and suites at the Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton and expanding the hotel, adding an additional 100 rooms -- not just for our current guests, but because we see big things for Staten Island on the horizon."

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Empire Outlets

After breaking ground in 2016, Empire Outlets has been taking shape on the waterfront, adjacent to the Staten Island Ferry terminal.

Despite several delays, 75 percent of the retail center is leased, said a spokesman for the project.

The outlet mall, which will feature more than 100 designer outlet retailers and a 1,250-space parking garage, is slated to open in April.

"When Empire Outlets opens this spring, it will offer an unforgettable visitor experience, provide a wave of new jobs and become one of New York City's top shopping and dining destinations," said Joseph Ferrara, principal of BFC Partners, Empire Outlet's developer. "Our team is working hard every day to keep advancing toward our grand opening, and it will be something that everyone across our borough can be proud of."

Major retailers committed to leasing space at the center already include: Nordstrom Rack; Nike; H&M; Ghirardelli Chocolate; Levi's; True Religion, Cotton On, Francesca's, Converse, Starbucks, U.S. Polo; Crocs; White House Black Market; Columbia Sportswear Company; Guess Factory Store; Wilsons Leather; G.H. Bass & Co.; Lids; Obey Your Body; Innovation Luggage; Walgreens; Haagen Dazs; Krispy Kreme.

In addition, a diverse group of dining options coming to the outlets include: Bake Culture; Mamoun's Falafel; Wasabi Steak & Sushi; Shake Shack; Mighty Quinn's Barbeque; Artichoke Basille's Pizza; and MRKTPL -- a 12,723-square-foot artisanal food hall with a 3,000-square-foot outdoor dining space.

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Lighthouse Point

-- the new 115-unit luxury apartment building to be equipped with retail, office space and a Westin Hotel -- is being built adjacent to the Staten Island Ferry terminal by Triangle Equities.

Construction started in 2016 on the $250 million project.

The residential, parking and commercial components of the project are expected to be complete in fall 2019, according to a spokeswoman for the project.

The hotel, to be named the Westin New York Staten Island, will include about 15,000 square feet of event space.

Businesses coming to Lighthouse Point include a fresh food market; The Learning Experience, an early education academy for children 6 weeks to 6 years old; and Spaces, a co-working space.

Additionally, more than an acre of waterfront open space will be accessible to the public and can be programmed for outdoor concerts, art exhibits, food festivals, etc. The development will also include a 300-space public parking garage.

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Urby

With 98 percent of the 571 apartments that comprise Urby Staten Island now leased, its developer is planning to begin construction on the remaining units -- some 320 residences -- this year.

The first phase of the $275-million project -- completed in 2016 -- saw the erection of two urban, ultra-modern, five-story buildings with 35,000 square feet of ground-floor retail, an urban farm, common spaces, 600 parking spaces and a public plaza.

An Urby spokeswoman told the Advance last year that approximately 20 percent of the apartments are set aside for affordable housing in accordance with the Section 421-a program requirements. That program essentially offers tax incentives to developers for new construction of multi-family rental housing.

And while there are rumors that the apartment complex is filled with residents who are part of the city's Section 8 housing program, an Advance Freedom of Information Act query to the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) in February 2017 revealed there were at least eight tenants at Urby under Section 8, which is a federally funded government program that helps members of low-income households find affordable housing.

Current commercial tenants at Urby include: Coperaco Café, Surf, Barca, Gringo's Taco Arcade, Seppe Pizza Bar, Lola Star, Carter & Cavero and Staten Island Arts.

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Riverside Galleria

After Riverside Galleria got a thumbs-down from elected officials, the developer has withdrawn plans for the 457,000-square-foot Richmond Valley shopping center, and is working on a new proposal, the Advance has learned.

The land -- which is being developed by New York City developer Melohn Properties Inc., which has offices in St. George -- includes 21 acres of waterfront property on the shores of the Arthur Kill, almost directly underneath the Outerbridge Crossing.

"Based on the fact that it didn't receive the support it needed, we are looking into different options for the site," said Jay Valgora, founder and principal of the Manhattan-based STUDIO V Architecture, architect for the project.

Last year, Borough President James Oddo and Councilman Joseph Borelli (R-South Shore) withdrew their support for the project, mainly due to the traffic plan put forth by the developer. It is because of their action that Melohn Properties Inc. withdrew its application that was already in the Uniformed Land Use Review Process (ULURP).

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Minthorne Street

Staten Island's restaurant row with a Bryant Park-inspired public park is shaping up to become the borough's next "hot spot," said Gary C. Angiuli, owner/developer of Minthorne Street in Tompkinsville.

With two more restaurants slated to open before the end of the year, and "Inspiration Plaza" -- a 2,500-square-foot public recreation space modeled after Manhattan's Bryant Park -- to open in the spring, Minthorne Street is almost complete.

The last piece of the puzzle will be a giant electronic video board that will have high-tech rotating art to be visible from the Staten Island [Rapid Transit] train," said Angiuli, who is developing Minthorne Street -- which once was a car dealership -- with his son, Sam.

INSPIRATION PLAZA

"Inspiration Plaza will be accessible to the public for about 10 months of the year," said Angiuli. "It will have free WiFi, and we hope the artwork we bring to it ... and beautiful plantings will be a source of inspiration to everyone."

Already open are Flagship Brewery, DaddyO's BBQ and Sports Bar. Also open is Goalmine, which includes Juicemine, an acai bowl and smoothie bar.

Opening soon will be Flour and Oak, a 900-degree brick oven pizzeria and restaurant, said Angiuli.

O'Henry's Publick House, an authentic British pub, is slated to open later this year, he said.

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