Lexington-based Bierbrier Development Inc. has broken ground on a new shopping center in Newton, the Needham Street Village Shops. 

The 19,200 square-foot development at 55 Needham St. will have 79 total parking spaces and is seeking LEED Silver certification. Construction will be completed this summer. 

Needham-based Bowdoin Construction is serving as the general contractor. Cambridge-based Prellwitz Chillinski Associates is the project architect. Atlantic Retail Properties is the exclusive leasing agent for the property.

Newton Mayor Setti Warren was guest of honor at the groundbreaking ceremony. "We are thrilled, we are thrilled about what is happening on Needham Street," said Warren in a statement. "It is a long time coming."

"We are very appreciative of the officials of the city of Newton, the city’s land-use committee and Board of Aldermen for their guidance, cooperation and professionalism throughout the permitting processes of this project," Development President Len Bierbrier said in a statement. "I sense the thoughtful and deliberative process that took place in a relatively short period of time is surely a welcome signal to the business community," added Bierbrier.

The new shopping complex will be modeled after the "village retail" concept employed by Bierbrier in the firm’s Arlington Village Shops project on Massachusetts Avenue in Arlington. The look of the new project will mimic that of established retail developments, with less space devoted to parking and shops which are set close to the existing streetscape, to create a pedestrian-friendly, "Main Street" feel.