Local developer Bijou Properties should soon be the new owner of a previously approved redevelopment project in Hoboken’s northwestern neighborhood, a move that will hopefully help jumpstart the infusion of some cutting-edge green technology into the city’s housing stock.
Earlier this month, the City Council approved Bijou’s “Pre-Submission Form” that will help transfer ownership of 1024 Adams Street to the company. The property, at the intersection of 11th and Adams Streets, is currently occupied by a two-story office building and falls within the city’s Northwest Industrial Redevelopment Plan.
That plan was passed in 1998 and amended two years ago to help Frank Pasquale Limited Partnership gain approval for the Lorien Lofts, a seven-story building with 10 residential units. Under the newest deal, Bijou’s version of the development would be the same height (79 feet) as the old project and contain the same number of dwellings.
Conforming to Hoboken’s trend of bigger spaces, it will consist of eight three-bedroom units and one two and four-bedroom apiece. Underground parking facilities will be included to hold up to 11 cars, and the building, when completed, will be one of the more ambitious environmentally-conscious projects in the area.
Per Bijou’s Pre-Submission Form, the project will include a white roof or “cool roof” that’s designed to reduce energy consumption, plus a thermal hot water heating system. A rain water harvesting retention system will also be featured in the development and two electric car charging stations will be built in the garage. The project will meet LEED Gold Certifications and “strive for LEED Platinum,” plus Passive House Certification will be obtained.
There are a few definite changes from what was previously approved that Bijou will be making. The company will no longer be including a cogeneration system at the project, so to compensate, they will make a $50,000 donation to Hoboken’s Open Space Trust Fund. Bijou will also pay $40,000 to the city so they meet their Affordable Housing requirements under the deal.
The original Frank Pasquale-led project was designed by Nastasi Architects and it’s unclear if Bijou will seek any design changes. The development will still be subject to Planning Board approval if significant architectural deviations are sought and additional variances are needed.
Bijou’s purchase of 1024 Adams furthers their footprint on Hoboken’s north end, particularly on the city’s west side. The company has two projects under construction near the 14th Street Viaduct and another major undertaking near the Monroe Center that will add parks, a plaza, rentals and retail to the neighborhood.
