A new luxury boarding option for dog owners is officially taking shape in Washington Township.
Construction is underway on a K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel at Plaza 42 on the Black Horse Pike, where crews are transforming a long-vacant freestanding retail building into an upscale pet care facility. The project marks the brand’s first location in Gloucester County.
The site sits prominently at the front of the Kohl’s shopping center, offering high visibility along the heavily traveled Black Horse Pike and convenient access from Greentree Road. Many residents may remember the building as a former Spirit Halloween seasonal store or, before that, a Sears Appliance and Fitness location. Despite its prime retail positioning, the property has remained largely vacant for much of the past 17 years.
42Freeway previously reported on the project in July 2025 as it moved through Washington Township’s approval process.
The redevelopment represents a notable reuse of underutilized commercial space in one of Washington Township’s busiest corridors.
Earlier this year, crews began the interior demolition and clean-out phase, delivering dumpsters and clearing the building down to its shell. Shortly afterward, electrical contractors initiated a full retail fit-out. Social media posts from Bada Bing Electric showed the interior completely gutted, with new wiring and lighting planned throughout the space.
During a recent visit, visible progress included newly installed interior stud walls — a clear sign that the project has advanced beyond demolition and into build-out.
Once complete, the facility will feature climate-controlled boarding areas, specialized ventilation systems and custom-designed pet suites tailored to different dog sizes and needs. The project is expected to bring both construction jobs in the short term and permanent staff positions once operational.
K9 Resorts traces its origins back to 1999, when its two founders began earning money as teenagers caring for neighborhood dogs. By their late teens, they formalized the concept and opened their first Luxury Pet Hotel in Fanwood, New Jersey.
Since then, the brand has expanded rapidly. As of 2024, the company reports 170 locations either open or in development nationwide. In South Jersey, K9 Resorts already operates a location in Cherry Hill, with additional regional growth underway.
The company positions itself as a high-end alternative to traditional kennels, offering cage-free luxury suites designed to reduce stress and provide a more comfortable experience. Boarding options range across multiple suite tiers, allowing pet owners to select accommodations that match their dog’s temperament and comfort level.
Owners can also choose add-on services such as:
Sanitation is a major component of the brand’s marketing. Facilities are built with hospital-grade cleaning protocols and advanced air filtration systems intended to maintain fresh airflow and minimize odors or airborne contaminants.
The Washington Township location reflects continued growth in the premium pet care sector. As more households treat pets as family members, demand has increased for upscale boarding, daycare and grooming services.
The Plaza 42 project also demonstrates how national brands are targeting strong suburban retail corridors with visible frontage and easy access — particularly properties that can be adapted from traditional retail to service-oriented uses.
Once complete, the new K9 Resorts will be located at:
5851 Route 42 – Suite 23
Turnersville, NJ
An official opening date has not yet been announced, but construction momentum suggests steady progress toward welcoming Gloucester County’s four-legged guests.
Originally reported by
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