A mixed-use development is once again planned for two parcels in Jersey City.
For at least the third time in less than seven years, an application has been filed with Jersey City’s municipal government involving 167 and 173 Academy Street near Baldwin Avenue.
During its Zoom meeting on Tuesday, July 20, at 5:30 p.m., the Jersey City Planning Board is slated to hear the latest proposal, which involves a 19-story building.
The application from developer Vasant Properties, LLC states that if approved and completed, the development would be just over 200 feet tall and consist of 188 residential units, 78 parking spaces, 2,481 square feet of retail space, and 21,638 square feet of office space.
Four of the units would contain three bedrooms each while there would also reportedly be 66 studios, 105 one-bedroom units, and 13 two-bedroom units. The document lists that zero “affordable housing units” would be created.
Site plans from Jarmel Kizel Architects and Engineers that were released by the City of Jersey City associate this project with Blessing Developers and show that the development could also include a child care center, bike storage room, and rooftop lounge area.
Jersey Digs previously reported that a 12-story building with 91 units and 5,240 square feet was approved back in 2015 for this location, part of which is also known as 165-169 Academy Street. Then, a 2017 public notice mentioned that Vaishno Ma Academy, LLC submitted plans for an 18-story building with 176 units, 3,560 square feet of retail space, and 17,220 square feet of office space.
However, despite other developments like 134 Baldwin Avenue and The Nest being built nearby, neither of these two projects ended up coming to fruition. Sales records indicate that 173 Academy Street, which contained a house until recently, was sold in 2018 for $2.5 million, while the surface parking lot at 167 Academy Street was sold at the same time for $6 million.
Municipal tax filings list Vasant Properties, LLC as the current owner of the two tracts and link the company with an address on Maiden Lane in Lower Manhattan.
Note to readers: The dates that applications are scheduled to be heard by the Jersey City Planning Board and other commissions are subject to change.
