The next vertical expansion in Journal Square’s building boom looks like it will be coming from familiar faces as two major developers have been given the go-ahead to bring almost 1,200 units and a variety of open space to a stretch of Jersey City land near the PATH tracks.
During their October 11 meeting, Jersey City’s planning board approved an application for properties at 808 Pavonia Avenue, 132-140 Van Reipen Avenue, 12 Bryan Place, 813 Pavonia Avenue, 270 Magnolia Avenue, and 54 Journal Square. The sky-high proposal emerged last month and is looking to enhance the landscape around the Loew’s Theater, which is currently undergoing a $72 million renovation.
Kushner Real Estate (KRE) Group, run by Murray and Jonathan Kushner, are teaming up teaming with New York-based Silverstein Properties on the new endeavor. KRE Group is best known locally for their massive Journal Squared project, while Silverstein is renowned for owning and redeveloping the World Trade Center in Manhattan.
The 808 Pavonia Avenue project is designed by New York-based Handel Architects with landscaping work from Melillo Bauer Carman. It calls for towers of 55 and 49 stories that are both set to sport three-story podiums. The design of both structures is tiered, with the exterior of the buildings utilizing articulated metal panels plus ground floor curtain walls.
The entirety of the project is slated to include a total of 1,189 units, breaking down as 405 studios, 611 one-bedrooms, 149 two-bedrooms, and 24 three-bedroom units. No affordable housing component is listed on the application, but the towers do include 368 parking spaces within the below-grade levels plus 606 spots for bicycles.
Amenities for residents at the complex will include an onsite pool, roof amenity areas, a karaoke room, golf simulators, billiard rooms, a kid’s playroom, lounges, and co-working spaces.
The development also includes some amenities for the community, as a “street connector” will be built between Pavonia and Van Reipen avenues to facilitate an “art walk” spanning the project.
Per our profile from earlier this month, a 6,194 square-foot gallery and café space is slated for the start of the art walk inside a shorter structure across from the two-tower development’s taller building.
The remainder of the space will span Kennedy Boulevard and create areas dubbed Magnolia Plaza, The Town Square, The Art Space, and The Dog Park. Other components of the walk include an amphitheater area and a landmark clocktower.
Per a redevelopment agreement with the city, the developers will be making an additional $3.5 million contribution to the Journal Square Cultural Arts Fund as a giveback that will allow the towers to exceed the area’s 37-store height limit.
A portion of the property next to the Loew’s will also be conveyed to Jersey City so they can build a one-story loading dock for the theater.
The first phase of the project is slated to include 595 units, the art gallery and café space, 244 parking spaces, and a portion of the pedestrian walkway, while the final portion would sport 594 units, 125 parking spaces, and complete the art walk. A groundbreaking date for the project has not been announced.
