Whether the 14-story high-rise at 125 Broad Street in Midtown Elizabeth is known as the Hersh Tower or the Hersch Tower has long been debated, but what is clear is that the historic structure is now undergoing a major transformation. The building, which is one of the tallest in Union County, dates back 87 years when it was constructed for $1.75 million for Louis B. Hersh. Designed by Essex County architect Nathan Myers, who is best known for designing synagogues in the region, the tower was long used as an office building before becoming vacant.
Now, for the first time in its history, the tower is becoming a mostly residential structure. Construction workers are in the process of converting the building into “93 luxury residential units” including studios, one-bedroom apartments, and two-bedroom apartments. In addition, 2,260 square feet of retail space will be available in the former Expo 2000 space on the building’s ground floor to join the existing 7-Eleven convenience store. A doorman will also be hired for the residential lobby.
An official with building redeveloper Hersch Tower NJ, LLC, who declined being identified, told Jersey Digs that the company is considering using the tower’s rooftop as a public lounge and club, but only if they find that noise from the venue will not be loud enough to be heard in the apartments. The representative stated that there are panoramic views of the Watchung Mountains and the Newark and New York skylines from the upper floors of the building, which is just a block away from the main Elizabeth train station.
According to the company official, before the project is completed in February 2019, Hersch Tower NJ, LLC will conduct a full renovation of the building and restore the lobby to how it appeared when the tower was first constructed. The finished development will include amenities such as an indoor lounge area, a business center, a gym, a sauna, a home theater, and bike storage. The source stated that some of the “luxury” units will be affordably priced, but that apartments throughout the building are expected to be more inexpensive than comparable buildings in Newark and Jersey City.
The news of this adaptive reuse project comes as other developments are being proposed for the state’s fourth largest city, such as “Jersey Walk” at the former Elizabeth General Hospital site and Vinty a few blocks away.
“There are no residential components in that area at all right now,” the source said, adding that “there are some that are coming up but we’re going to be the first to open our doors.”
