A former Jersey City church that once drew preservationists worried about the impending wrecking ball is well on its way to becoming a 24-story residential complex, with construction now topped out at The Lucy.
SJP Properties, in partnership with Claremont Development and Battery Global Advisors, announced that their latest project at 619 Grove Street has topped out. The future complex will include 431 apartments and a full suite of amenities, designed to preserve and restore historically significant portions of the site’s original St. Lucy’s Roman Catholic Church, rectory, and school.
“We believe The Lucy will deliver a distinctive residential experience to Jersey City, and with the building now topped out, we are one step closer to opening the doors,” said Steven J. Pozycki, Founder and CEO of SJP Properties. “By preserving its legacy and introducing exceptional new homes and amenities, The Lucy is expected to serve Jersey City as it continues to grow.”
The Lucy is a success story for a building that faced serious demolition threats. The building made Preservation New Jersey’s 2018 list of the state’s most endangered places after the church closed in the 1980s and only the school building was in use as an emergency homeless shelter.
Jersey Digs was the first to report on a redevelopment plan that emerged that same year. It sought to preserve the original building while creating a glass-heavy extension and constructing a new homeless facility across the street.
The supportive housing component of the plan opened in 2023, paving the way for the St. Lucy’s redevelopment. Michael Graves Architecture designed the building, with interiors by Mary Cook Associates. KL Masters Construction Company is leading construction.
“The Lucy promises to be at the forefront of Jersey City’s residential offerings,” said Richard Sciaretta, Partner of Claremont Development. “Enshrining the legacy of St. Lucy’s historic structure was a priority for the development team, and we are proud to honor that while delivering hundreds of state-of-the-art apartments to one of the most dynamic housing markets in the region.”
Each home at The Lucy will feature quartz countertops, premium fixtures, solar shades, and top-brand appliances. Indoor amenities include a resort-style lobby, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a dog grooming room, a media and game room, multiple lounges with fireplaces, and dedicated coworking and conference rooms.
The Lucy will also feature outdoor offerings such as a rooftop pool, sky lounge, sundeck with BBQs, and a penthouse bar. Residents will also have access to bespoke amenity spaces such as a bell-tower speakeasy and hydroponic garden.
Established in 1884 in what was known as the Horseshoe section, the parish at 619 Grove Street served the influx of poor Irish immigrants at the turn of the 20th century. The complex includes a school, church, and rectory, all of which are being preserved as part of the effort.
Preserved components of the original site include the church doors, which will continue to serve as the main entrance, the iron fence, the tower bell, and the facades of two historic walls.
The neighborhood around the former St. Lucy’s continues to develop rapidly, with several notable projects completed in recent years or under construction. Construction on The Lucy is expected to be completed in 2028.
