BusinessTourismTravelTopgolf Breaks Ground in Parsippany For First North Jersey Complex

Topgolf, one of the hottest family sports-and-entertainment concepts in the country, took a big swing toward opening its first North Jersey location, a $30 million project expected to debut next year along Route 46 East in Parsippany.

After years of rumors, negotiations, license applications and land approvals, the Dallas-based company held a groundbreaking on June 5 at the empty lot just west of Beverywyck Road. Dozens of local officials joined Todd Waldo, Topgolf’s director of real estate development, at the 10.5-acre site, where four vacant office buildings were demolished earlier this year.

“We are excited to bring our family-friendly entertainment-focused venue to this town,” Waldo said. “We are certain that this will create a regional destination for golf entertainment in the state.”

Launched in 2000, Topgolf now has more than 110 of its combination driving range restaurant and entertainment sites on three continents. The Parsippany location would be its third in the state along with Edison and Mount Laurel.

The three-story, 67,500-square-foot facility will feature a multitier driving range with 102 bays. Serious golfers will enjoy advanced tracking technology for their shots. Novices may prefer to engage in interactive games, suitable for all ages and skill levels, aiming for huge targets on the field.

For those who don’t care to swing, the climate-controlled bays typically include two tees, lounge seating for six and HD televisions, with available food and drink service. Elsewhere in the complex, nongolfers can enjoy a full-service restaurant and bar, a private event space, an outdoor patio and a rooftop terrace.

‘What’s Topgolf?’

Parsippany Mayor James Barberio said he’s a baseball player, not a golfer, and was unaware of Topgolf until property owner Dr. Bhagirath Maheta, principal of Shree Parsippany Developers LLC, told him the project was coming to town.

“I said, ‘OK, what’s Topgolf?’ ” Barberio joked at the groundbreaking. But he soon found out it was more than just a driving range, with a broad appeal. “What I realized later on is Topgolf is very well known in Parsippany. You’d be surprised how many high school students in Parsippany can’t wait for this place to open.”

Barberio touted the value of new economic development along the town’s bustling Route 46 commercial corridor, where Shree Developers has already bought and repurposed several aging properties. They include the former Colony Plaza, demolished to make way for a Chick-fil-A restaurant that opened last year.

Other properties now owned by Shree include the former Capitol One Bank, where a Wonder food hall opened earlier this year, a Taco Bell and Outback Steakhouse, the Days Inn hotel, the former Cerbo Lumber property, additional office buildings “and many more,” Maheta said.

“Finally!” he said in his groundbreaking remarks. “This was all about Parsippany first. We will meet again sometime next year when we have a fully-functioning Topgolf venue.”

Company promises 400 new jobs

State Sen. Joe Pennacchio, who owns a dental practice in the township, said Topgolf represented “ratables combined with something that’s fun to do — and putting people to work.”

The company’s website says Topgolf offers “a modern golf experience where anyone — including people who have never picked up a golf club and those who want to perfect their swing — can participate in the sport in a relaxed, no-pressure environment. You’ll take aim at giant targets on the field while playing virtual courses or Topgolf’s signature games like Angry Birds.”

In Parsippany the facility will be built on the back of the lot bordering Route 80, in between Smith Field and the Troy Hills Shopping Center. Golfers would be hitting across a lighted range toward Route 46. A net supported by 100-foot poles would keep balls on the property.

Article sourced from The Daily Record.