A surface parking lot in the heart of Jersey City’s Downtown is slated to be home to a new residential complex that has been gaining traction since late last year.
During their June 9 meeting, Jersey City’s Planning Board greenlit a proposal to revamp several lots at 468-480 Manila Avenue. The site, which straddles 7th and 8th streets, is currently owned by the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency (JCRA) and utilized as a vehicle storage lot by the Department of Public Safety.
While the lot currently supports the nearby headquarters of the East District of the Police Department, it has been deemed surplus by Jersey City to Public Safety’s needs due to the ongoing development of a new East District facility in the Lackawanna neighborhood.
A Redevelopment Agreement was agreed upon in late 2025 by the JCRA and a subsidiary of BNE Real Estate Group, which applied to develop the land. The company has worked on several projects in Jersey City, including The Enclave near the northern edge of Downtown.
Designed by Minno Wasko, the future of 468 Manila Avenue envisions a stilted building that cantilevers over a parking area. The six-story residential building is set to include 38 dwelling units, all of which will sport three bedrooms, a rarity for a Jersey City development.
Set to rise to just over 95 feet at its tallest point, the development will feature 39 parking spaces and an additional 19 bicycle spaces on the first floor. The exterior of the complex is slated to utilize a combination of brick and composite metal panels.
Amenities at the approved project include an 850-square-foot first-floor gym and a 3,500-square-foot amenity space. The second floor of the complex is set to feature a 2,200-square-foot lounge plus a 1,055-square-foot co-working space, and the development will also feature a common-area rooftop terrace.
Jersey City’s Planning Board granted the development variances for existing zoning related to maximum building coverage, the minimum recreation space, the number of signs, and the maximum signage area. A groundbreaking date for the project has not yet been announced.
