A redevelopment plan that has been in the works for almost a decade will create new affordable housing, expand a private school, and see the demolition of a building that once housed the iconic Golden Cicada.
Jersey Digs reported last summer on possible zoning changes at several lots surrounding 177 Grand Street adjacent to St. Peter’s Prep sports facility. The modifications were eventually enacted to facilitate the project, which comes courtesy of local developer Silverman.
The Z-shaped project includes Jersey City’s famed Golden Cicada property, which served their famous baijiu shots for almost four decades at 195 Grand Street. Silverman moved quickly to acquire the lot in 2019 when it became available, and the Golden Cicada Baja Biergarten opened at the building in late 2021.
That property, along with the rest of the lots, will meet the wrecking ball under the plan, which was approved by Jersey City’s Planning Board during their November 28 meeting.
The project is split between the Tidewater Basin Redevelopment Area and an R-2 zoning district and attempts to bridge the height gap with a three-story base along Grand Street complemented by a setback pair of towers rising 29 and 19 floors.
Designed by Fogerty Finger Architecture, the residential component includes a total of 397 units that break down as 27 studios, 187 one-bedrooms, 137 two-bedrooms, 15 three-bedrooms, and 31 four-bedroom spaces. Sixty of those units, or about 15%, will be set aside as affordable housing for very low-, low-, and moderate-income families.
The ground floor of the development is slated to house 11,676 square feet of commercial space split between two storefronts. A 9,000 square foot retail spot will be located toward the western end of the development along Marin Boulevard where Golden Cicada currently sits, while the smaller storefront will be located along Sussex Street.
The street level also includes a 7,500 square foot educational facility set to be utilized as an expansion annex for Church of Our Lady of Czestochowa, a private institution located across the street.
Other components of the project include an interior garage with 77 spaces for cars and 219 bicycle spots. Infrastructure to alleviate storm water surge via storage system will be located on the second floor and the top of the base is slated to feature indoor and outdoor amenities for future residents.
Both towers will also feature true rooftop terraces, with plans for the 18-story tower including an outdoor pool. The exterior of the project is heavy on beige brick, white porcelain, and large curtain wall components.
The approvals now pave the way for construction and end a long process to bring a larger redevelopment to the properties. Silverman first pitched a plan to the community way back in 2017 that also included two towers and school space.
The company has not yet announced any groundbreaking or potential timeline for construction of the project, and the current version of Golden Cicada that calls the property home remains open for business.
