A factory-turned-recording studio at 512 Paterson Plank Road is currently undergoing a transformation, and a new restaurant and lounge will be coming to the park-side property next year.
A two-story red brick building has stood at the site since the late 19th century, bridging the gap between Union City, Washington Park, and Jersey City’s Heights neighborhood. It was used for many decades as a chandelier factory until 1981, when producer Reggie Lucas, best known for producing Madonna’s self-titled debut album, purchased the building and opened Quantum Sound Studios.
Several noteworthy names in the music industry came through Quantum Sound Studios, including Grammy Award-winning engineer and producer Andy Wallace. He mixed tracks for bands like Helmet and Rage Against the Machine there in the late 1980s and early 1990s. INXS and Queen Latifah also recorded tracks at the studio during this time.
Lucas officially sold the studio in 1999 to Tim Giles, who along with his wife Julie founded Big Blue Meenie Recording Studios. Several post-hardcore and ‘emo’ bands recorded albums at the “open for hire” studio, including Taking Back Sunday, Thursday, and Catch 22. All told, 24 Gold-certified and ten Platinum records have been mixed or recorded at the 512 Paterson Plank facilities.
In 2014, a group named Diamond Tech purchased the property for $600,000 and is currently hard at work converting the 9,000-square-foot building into 512 Quantum Sound Bar & Restaurant. Co-owner William Martinez tells Jersey Digs the company’s goal is to honor the property’s musical past, and that one of the restaurant’s several rooms will feature a performance stage.
“We want to preserve the musical history of the building and continue the journey of all kinds of music being heard inside this building for decades to come,” says Martinez.
While the exterior of the property is changing quite a bit with large bay windows letting in natural light, the restaurant is making an effort to preserve much of the original brick in the building. A notable blue door originally visible from the second-floor exterior of the property is being reused on the project, which was designed by Lab + Uda and d-Lab Architects.
Several nods to artists that have a history in the space are included, and outdoor sidewalk seating is part of the plan. Additionally, a rooftop lounge area, currently under heavy construction, will offer guests a unique experience not found at many other bars in The Heights.
From a culinary standpoint, Martinez says 512 Quantum Sound will be serving the “best drinks in town” and an eclectic food menu of Latin flavors, including Portuguese and Brazilian options. The company also currently has an application before Jersey City’s Zoning Board for 589 Paterson Plank Road that will be heard on November 2nd, which would add a four-story, three family structure at a nearby property that includes 10 valet parking spaces for 512 Quantum Sound customers.
The restaurant itself is looking to open in Summer 2018, and those interested in tracking the renovation progress can follow 512 Quantum Sound on Facebook or at the Instagram handle @512_quantum_sound.
