A Jersey City project that’s been in the works for over seven years is officially underway as the team behind a future 477-unit complex celebrated the start of a transformative development.
Executives from the West Side Square Development Fund were joined by Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop and other officials to celebrate the groundbreaking for West Side Square. The project is combining six lots at 1072-1075 West Side Avenue that once housed Puccini’s restaurant, which was in business for 31 years before closing in 2015.
Per our reporting from October, demolition work began at the properties earlier this fall. Jersey Digs has been following the project since way back in 2016 when it was green lit by the planning board, later getting a redesign.
West Side Square will consist of two 13-story towers connected by a series of five-story buildings. 285 garage parking spaces are included in the plan, which was designed by MHS Architecture. The West Side Square Development Fund is a focused investment fund headquartered in Toronto and its members include LanTree Developments, Altree Developments, Lanterra Developments, and Westdale Properties.
“Jersey City’s ideal location paired with an unparalleled range of entertainment and dining options continues to make it one of the most in-demand residential destinations in New Jersey,” said Zev Mandelbaum President & CEO at Altree Developments. “Once completed, West Side Square will seamlessly encapsulate the essence of Jersey City — a unique blend of living, working, and leisure — offering our future residents an unparalleled experience at their doorstep.”
West Side Square will add 9,814 square feet of ground-level retail space to the neighborhood and includes a full suite of lifestyle amenities for future residents. Outdoor perks include a 21,000 square foot deck with a swimming pool, grilling stations, and a dog run, while accompanying indoor amenities will consist of a state-of-the-art fitness center, co-working spaces, and a community room for private events.
Each of West Side Square’s studio, one, two and three-bedroom apartments will include modern designs from Childs Dreyfus Group that include stainless steel appliances, modern kitchens/baths, and in-unit washer/dryers. The community is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2026.
“Once completed, West Side Square will become the latest addition to the vibrant Journal Square neighborhood, intertwining modern living, leisure, and community in one dynamic space,” said Mayor Fulop during the groundbreaking. “We’re thrilled to welcome this exceptional addition to our diverse and thriving city.”
West Side Square is located less than a mile from the Journal Square PATH station in the city’s Marion section. The Port Authority has flirted with the idea of adding a PATH station along an existing set of train tracks that run through the area, but no tangible progress has been made on that front beyond a feasibility study.
Mayor Fulop tweeted following the groundbreaking that local approvals for West Side Square did include easements that would be needed to add a PATH station in the future.
