With construction at 333 Grand Street set to wrap in the early spring, the biggest developer behind the Liberty Harbor project has already gained approvals for a new tower set to rise at the intersection of Jersey Avenue and Regent Street.
Last month, representatives from Liberty Harbor met with the Van Vorst Park Association to present their modified plans for property they own at 88 Regent Street. The Planning Board then signed off on the changes at their November 17th meeting, which fully conform to the area’s existing zoning.
Designed by Hoboken-based Marchetto Higgins Stieve, the 32-story development will consist of 392 rental apartments, 9,110 sq. ft. of ground floor retail, and over 5,000 sq. ft. of office space. A multi-level garage with space for over 300 cars will be included at the property, but will be buried within the structure from the street to better conceal it from pedestrians.
88 Regent will be more of a skinny tower and feature large glass components. The corner of the property will be rounded, although more suddenly and dramatically than the 333 Grand building. A dome-like structure dubbed a cupola will be featured on top of the building, which was designed to offer great views of NYC, Ellis Island, Liberty State Park, and other local landmarks.
A representative for the developer told Jersey Digs that the project was designed to activate the space, and they hope the property becomes iconic. The location and height of the development means it will be one of the first things people heading to Downtown Jersey City see when traveling along Grand Street.
“We view 88 Regent as a gateway building for Downtown,” the rep says. “We hope it’s a positive introduction for the neighborhood.”
The 13th floor of 88 Regent will be fully devoted to amenities, which have not been finalized yet but should include a pool, gym, and facilities similar to other Liberty Harbor developments. The back of house for the entire block of Regent Street will be dedicated for loading, which was designed to create a cleaner-looking block for residents.
The massive Liberty Harbor project was first conceived by developer Peter Mocco in the 1990s and has expanded significantly since then. In the last year, the 194-unit 50 Regent Street was completed and Phase 2 of the condo-based Gull’s Cove project is underway.
Other developers like private equity investment firm Quadrum Global have pitched grand plans for the area as well, which does have some undeveloped land and offers a pretty unique park and marina side location.
For Mocco’s latest part of the redevelopment effort, 88 Regent will fill the last peg of a block directly in front of the Jersey Avenue Light Rail Station. Construction should start in mid-2018 and is anticipated to take about 30 months to build out.
