The Dunellen Planning Board gave developers the unanimous go-ahead for a mixed-use building at 405-415 North Avenue. The building was designed by Italo Teixeira, of Taylor Architecture & Design and presented to the board by Brian Taylor, AIA, both of Taylor Architecture & Design. The development will feature both commercial space and fifty new housing units, including units allocated for affordable housing. The new building is part of the Phase 1 Downtown Core District of the Dunellen Downtown Redevelopment Plan.
The Dunellen Downtown Redevelopment Plan aspires to bring new commercial development plus multifamily and affordable housing near mass transit. Another goal is to update the area through improved landscaping, streetscaping, new lighting and safer pedestrian footprints.
Dunellen has long been dubbed “The Railroad Town.” The Elizabeth and Somerville Railroad (later the Central Railroad of New Jersey) first laid tracks through the then agricultural area in 1840 and the New Market (now Dunellen) Station was built in 1867, bringing both industrial and residential development to the area. The borough broke free from Piscataway in 1887 and has since thrived as both a light industrial hub and a bedroom community.
Just a short walk from the Dunellen Train Station, the three-story podium building will house both first-floor commercial space and a mix of 2 studio units, 24 one-bedroom apartments, 21 two-bedroom units and 3 three-bedroom homes. Seven of the fifty apartments will be designated as affordable units. All of the housing will be ADA-adaptable. Plans include covered parking, a gym, community kitchen, lounges, a business center and a game room. Some units will feature private balconies and there will be a large common rooftop deck.
The redevelopment plan calls for lighting improvements, landscaping and an upgraded streetscape. The project’s design pays homage to the borough’s history as a railroad town and the redevelopment plan calls for “transit-inspired architecture.” The façade features brick masonry and an overall design consistent with traditional architectural details giving it the feel of a quaint transit village.
The development team behind the project includes Land Use Attorney, Peter Lanfrit of Savo Schalk; Civil Engineer Richard Adelsohn of Frank Lehr & Associates; Traffic Engineer, Elizabeth Dolan of Dolan & Dean Consulting Engineers; as well as Professional Planner, Kevin O’Brien.
Located in North Plainfield, Taylor Architecture & Design focuses on mixed-use commercial and residential development projects. Italo Teixeira, lead architect on the 405-415 North Avenue project, is a Dunellen resident.
