Recently enlarged plans to turn what was until recently an active industrial site near a Jersey City light rail station into one of the biggest new developments in Ward B could possibly be approved as soon as next week.
Since last January, Jersey Digs has been following a proposal that involves tearing down the massive complex that has been used over the years by companies such as Elementis Specialties, Daniel Products, and the Synres Chemical Corporation in order to construct a mixed-use complex. The site at 400 Claremont Avenue and nine neighboring properties, all located within close proximity to the West Side Avenue Hudson-Bergen Light Rail station, were sold in 2018 for $17 million to a company called 400 Claremont Urban Renewal, LLC.
At the time of the sale, a spokesperson for Cole Schotz P.C. declined to name who was in charge of the LLC but confirmed that a five-story building with 600 residential units was planned. Then, roughly a month later, additional information was revealed, showing that Art Johnson and the team behind 25 Senate Place was behind this project as well and that this proposal was modified to call for a six-story 598-unit building.
Plans for 15,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space along with a fitness center, coffee bar, golf simulator, rooftop community garden, and private bowling alley in this Marchetto Higgins Stieve-designed building were also announced, though few details on the pricing of the units were mentioned aside from a statement from Johnson being quoted as saying that the apartments would be offered at “a price point that’s attractive for Jersey City.”
A demolition permit was issued in November 2018, according to city records.
However, a legal notice that was just released shows that as the project nears the planning approvals stage, changes have been made to the proposed development. The project now calls for 631 units to be included along with 12,044 square feet of retail space and 279 parking spaces, according to the notice. The Real Deal also reported last month that the $120 million project is being referred to as “The Element,” it is expected to benefit from opportunity zone funding, and there are also plans for a “saltwalter pool” at the development.
400 Claremont Urban Renewal, LLC is seeking Preliminary and Final Major Site Plan approval, according to the notice. Variances such as floor-to-ceiling height, sidewalk width, and signage are being sought. The hearing on the company’s application has been scheduled for the Jersey City Planning Board’s meeting on Tuesday, March 12, at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.
Note to readers: The dates that applications are scheduled to be heard by the Jersey City Planning Board and other commissions are subject to change.
