One of the most ambitious revitalization efforts in Union County is officially underway as construction has begun on a plan that looks to transform the entrance of downtown Plainfield.
Local officials and dignitaries from Cheung Development Group recently held a groundbreaking ceremony kicking off the initial portion of what will become Bella Plainfield. Jersey Digs reported on the project’s approval last fall, which seeks to revamp the western end of West Front Street into what will essentially act as a new gateway to the city’s main retail district.
“It was a great moment to break ground for what will be a transformative development for our downtown area,” said Plainfield Mayor Adrian Mapp. “Steve Cheung is a great partner who continues to support our city by investing in quality projects here.”
Bella Plainfield, which is being built not far from the city’s NJ Transit train station, is set to consist of four separate buildings. Designed by Brian M. Taylor of Taylor Architecture & Design, the project’s first building will rise 11 stories and include the lion’s share of the living spaces.
A total of 277 residential units plus 122 basement-level parking spaces are slated for the first portion, as is 16,905 square feet of ground-floor retail space plus a 4,743-square-foot restaurant on the roof level.
The second portion of Bella Plainfield will rise five stories and sport a first-floor gym plus 3,773 square feet of retail space. The remainder of the structure will house 28 apartments plus various residential amenities.
The third building in the development will also rise 11 stories and house a total of 232 parking spaces in a parking deck. The seventh through tenth floors will consist of 40 apartments, while the eleventh floor will include a café with kitchen space plus a seating area and a 3,850-square-foot roof deck.
The fourth and final component of Bella Plainfield involves a restoration effort, as it will completely renovate an existing four-story building into 4,689 square feet of retail space plus twelve two-bedroom apartments. All told, the project includes 357 dwelling units, 32,200 square feet of commercial tenant space including two public rooftop restaurants, and 354 on-site parking spaces.
The development promises to offer rich amenities like a 2,250-square-foot second-floor lounge, a 6,000-square-foot roof deck overlooking an adjacent park, and a 12,500-square-foot roof deck on the eleventh floor of the first building. Other perks include a 3,000-square-foot fitness center, conference room, business center, and bike storage areas.
Cheung Development Group says that Plainfield businesses will be invited to bid for work on the project as it progresses and intends to invite local residents to special job fairs and information sessions in the coming months.
