A growing neighborhood that mostly consists of mid-rise buildings is slated to welcome a supersized project from a significant local developer that will be the area’s tallest structure by a large margin.
During their April 20 meeting, Jersey City’s planning board unanimously approved a scheme to revamp several parcels of land along 262 Johnston Avenue. Currently home to a one-story industrial building, the property sits across the way from the Liberty State Park Light Rail station and is near the I-78 Turnpike Extension.
The project has been in the works since last summer when Jersey Digs exclusively reported on a June resolution from the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency. The move designated an entity called FD Johnston Ave LLC as redeveloper of the property.
It later emerged that 262 Johnston Avenue was a joint venture between Alpine Residential and Fields Grade Development. Renderings of the project were revealed in early March shortly after Fields presented their plans to the Morris Canal Community Development Corporation.
The approved project ups the ante in terms of height for the area, as the 24-story tower will top out at 277 feet. Designed by Hoboken-based Marchetto Higgins Stieve, 262 Johnston Avenue’s façade is slated to utilize metal panels, stone veneer, and glass wraps as part of an exterior design that draws inspiration from the rail and vehicle infrastructure bordering the neighborhood.
The structure itself will consist of a two-story base with 10 parking units and 9,018 square feet of commercial space split between the first two floors. The remaining slender tower will include a total of 169 rental units, breaking down as 23 studios, 104 one-bedrooms, 21 two-bedrooms, and 21 three-bedrooms.
6.5% of the development’s apartments will be set aside as affordable housing per regulations in the Morris Canal Redevelopment Plan, with the moderate-income spaces consisting of seven one-bedroom residences and four two-bedroom units. Amenities at the development include a roof terrace set to feature a glass-enclosed 4,000-square-foot indoor space plus an outdoor area with a pool.
The eastern portion of the development will feature a landscaped section bordering I-78 and house the entrance to the development’s parking facility. The companies behind the project have yet to announce when a groundbreaking might take place.
The board’s approval adds another piece to the revitalization puzzle around Liberty State Park and the latest project isn’t far from Liberty Science Center’s ambitious SciTech Scity project, which hopes to begin construction later this year. Argent Ventures recently unveiled their plans for several acres of land just north of the park that could bring two towers and several smaller buildings near Liberty Landing Marina.
