A 98-year-old building in the heart of Downtown New Brunswick could meet the wrecking ball in favor of a modern high-rise that would include new space for a local institution.
An existing three-story building at 40 Livingston Avenue has been home to the Elks Club for almost a century, but a group is hoping to keep their space inside a new development. The 30,000 square foot property, which includes a neighboring parking lot, has a plan for revitalization courtesy of New Street Associates LLC, a subsidiary of New Brunswick-based Weiss Properties.
The project, located between New Street and Morris Street and called The Liv, would consolidate all the lots and construct a 23-story mixed-use building on the site. Designed by Lambertville-based Minno Wasko, the proposed development is situated within the New Brunswick Downtown Redevelopment Plan and adheres to existing zoning.
Members of the Elks Lodge said they support the plan to raze their longtime home during a previous meeting of the Planning Board. The group would get new digs under the plan, as the Elks Lodge would get 6,840 square feet of space on the ground floor of the building.
The remainder of the ground floor at The Liv includes a retail storefront of just about 2,000 square feet and the entrance to a six-story garage that would accommodate 356 vehicles.
The 407 units at the complex would break down as 79 studios, 219 one-bedrooms, and 109 two-bedrooms. No affordable housing is included in the plan.
The Liv includes a seventh-floor amenity deck complete with a 2,000 square foot fitness center, outdoor pool and terrace, a 1,000 square foot club room, and a co-working space. The 24th floor additionally includes a sprawling roof deck plus a 3,400 square foot indoor club room penthouse.
The Elks Lodge’s planned sale of the property to Weiss Properties is contingent on the plan being approved and New Brunswick will be making a call on the proposal soon. The application is slated to be heard by the Planning Board during their December 11 meeting, which starts at 7:00 p.m. and is being held inside Room 101 at 25 Kirkpatrick Street.
