An empty plot of land that was once envisioned to be a hotel is instead slated to become a new mixed-use complex with substantial affordable housing as another high-rise has been greenlit in Jersey City’s growing Downtown.
During their October 22 meeting, Jersey City’s Planning Board approved an application for 20 South Cove Avenue. Also referred to as 155 Marin Boulevard, the vacant lot is sandwiched between the two towers of the Vantage complex near the Marin Boulevard station on the Hudson Bergen Light Rail.
Jersey City enacted zoning changes at the property earlier this year to allow the approved plan to move forward. The Jersey City Redevelopment Agency (JCRA) had once transferred ownership of the land to an entity that entered into a franchise agreement with Marriott to build a ground-up hotel back in 2014.
That plan eventually fell through, causing the JCRA to file a lawsuit in 2021 to take back control of the land. The property is now owned by a new entity called Liberty Harbor North Partners LLC, who applied for and sought modifications to allow residential development at the land.
The new project has been designed by MHS Architecture and is slated to rise 30 stories while peaking at just over 320 feet tall. The complex will feature a curved center and a glass-heavy design in keeping with neighboring buildings.
The project will have 300 dwelling units that break down as 85 studios, 126 one-bedrooms, 76 two-bedrooms, and 11 three-bedroom spaces. A total of 15% of the units will be set aside as affordable housing, highlighted by 27 affordable two-bedroom spaces.
The newest high-rise will be providing 200 parking spaces but with a catch. The spots will be off-site at the existing podium of the neighboring Vantage development, meaning no new on-site parking is included in the plan.
The development does make space for 150 bicycles plus a 1,000 square foot retail space on the ground floor in the center of the building.
Amenities at the future complex will be plentiful, including a combined 12,200 square feet of space on the second and third floors plus a 1,800 square foot indoor basketball court.
The 30th floor will also be devoted to amenities and include about 4,300 square feet of indoor amenity space plus a 4,200 square foot outdoor terrace complete with a pool and what are sure to be spectacular waterfront views.
Despite the approvals from the Planning Board, a potential construction timeline for the project has yet to be announced.
