A sizable industrial property near the campus of New Jersey City University (NJCU) could soon be home to a large residential complex that restores an existing structure while building a new expansion.
Jersey Digs reported last year on the sale of several parcels at 277-301 West Side Avenue. The land, which sold for $6.2 million, spans about 46,000 square feet and is located at the road’s intersection with Fisk Avenue adjacent to a building occupied by NJCU.
The direct vicinity has blown up in recent years, as large projects like City Line and Rivet have sprung up within a few blocks. The latest plan for 301 West Side Avenue was submitted by a company associated with Vreeland Projects, who are behind a few other Jersey City projects including a development under construction at 371 Whiton Avenue.
Designed by Weckenmann Architecture, the proposed project will adaptively reuse the current warehouse on the land while expanding the structure. Existing chimneys and brick at the warehouse will be cleaned and restored as part of the work, with new windows and doors added to the building.
The new portion is slated to consist of a six-story residential building that tops out at just under 70 feet tall. Brick face and aluminum ACH panels would be utilized on the new portion in an effort to blend in with the industrial vibe of the neighborhood.
200 dwelling units would be included in the development, set to break down as 41 studios, 119 one-bedrooms, 32 two-bedroom units, and eight three-bedroom spaces. The project is looking to utilize an affordable housing overlay bonus within the West Side Avenue Redevelopment Plan, which would set aside 20 units at the complex as affordable.
The ground floor of the building would include three separate amenity spaces totaling about 4,800 square feet plus a 3,230 square foot “commercial amenity space.” Plans for the development’s second floor include an interior outdoor courtyard with a pool, lawn area, and lounge areas plus an additional indoor amenity space spanning about 5,500 square feet.
The top floor of the new portion would also feature a 2,900 square foot common roof deck and renderings released for the development show a mural on the side of the building that faces the historic structure.
Parking for 100 cars in a garage is included, as is a bicycle room with space for 81 bikes. The project would also provide a stormwater detention tank as well as an extensive green roof area of approximately 4,298 square feet on the top of the historic building.
Vreeland Projects will be requesting variances related to lot coverage, building coverage, and regarding the project’s rear yard setback to move the development forward. The company is scheduled to appear before Jersey City’s Planning Board during their March 21 meeting to represent their plans.
The meeting, which is being held on Zoom and begins at 5:30 p.m., can be joined by members of the public at this link or by using the Webinar ID 861 6244 3723.
