For close to a century, millions of flags were produced at the Annin Flagmakers plant in Verona until its closure in 2013. Now, the plant, located at 163 Bloomfield Avenue in Verona, between Mount Prospect and Brookdale Avenues, is being converted into a new residential development called Annin Lofts.
According to a legal notice from the Verona Township Planning Board, developer D&R Verona, LLC, which is an arm of Russo Development in Carlstadt, is also planning to build a new five-story residential building next door to the factory. In all, the property, located in the Extended Town Center Redevelopment Area, will contain 118 apartments and 180 parking spaces when completed. According to DMR Architects, there will also be rooftop terraces, a fitness center, and club rooms at Annin Lofts. MyVeronaNJ reports that the first units at the complex are expected to be available in 2017.
Although Annin is still headquartered in nearby Roseland, the company’s flag manufacturing operations are now based in Virginia and Ohio. The Verona plant opened in 1919 after just 320 days of construction, and manufactured flags for the first moon landing in 1969, presidential inaugurations, and for retail sale.
Another new residential development was recently completed just west of Annin Lofts. Verona Place opened this summer at 435-449 Bloomfield Avenue, and was developed by De Mattheis Investments. Two buildings, each containing ten apartments, make up Verona Place, and there are balconies and a parking deck for residents. One of the lots had been vacant for several years, and a car dealership was previously located at the site of the other.
Verona, located west of Montclair, contains many shops and restaurants, and is best known for Kip’s Castle and the 54-acre Verona Park in the middle of the township, which contains trails, a playground, a cafe, and a lake with paddle boating. Although it is a small community, Verona contains a few high-rise and residential developments, including the Claridge House.and The Highlands at Hilltop. DeCamp buses provide transportation to New York, and NJ Transit provides bus service to Newark and Parsippany.
