Just over three years ago, KRE Group was in the process of demolishing a small house and parking lot at 615 Pavonia Avenue to prepare for construction of a 538-unit tower. That building, the first phase of their ambitious Journal Squared development, now soars 53 stories and is a landmark in the neighborhood.
Today, an old office building that formerly housed Verizon offices and Art House Productions is currently being torn down to make way for Journal Squared’s second phase. Crews at the cement building, which fronts Summit and Magnolia Avenues, have torn out the rear of the building and are in the process of taking out windows at the property, which will vanish before our eyes in just a matter of weeks.
Journal Squared, which will total 1,838 residential units and 36,000 square feet of retail when completed, is being built in three total phases. The upcoming second tower will be the tallest of the trio, rising 70 stories and 759 feet. It is slated to include about 700 more rental units.
Other improvements have already been made as part of the Journal Squared redevelopment process. A plaza behind the property that links the first building and the surrounding area to the PATH station was recently completely overhauled with new lighting, trees, and pavers, plus bike racks and a set of refurbished stairs should open soon.
Jonathan Kushner, whose KRE Group is behind Journal Squared, said earlier this year that construction would begin on the project’s second tower by October. Initial estimates for completion of the next phase fell around 2021.
