While several of New Jersey’s northern cities are experiencing a revitalization not seen in a generation, the trickle-out effect into the suburbs has also started to pick up some steam. Perhaps due in part to the reality that many young people are putting off buying their first homes, new apartment buildings in the “first ring” of New Jersey’s suburbs have been increasing in number, especially in towns that feature the walkability that millennials tend to prefer.
Some of those walkable downtowns near New York City, like Summit or Ridgewood, are well established. But Bloomfield, a town of just under 50,000 that’s sandwiched between Belleville, Montclair, Glen Ridge and Nutley in Essex county, has frequently taken a backseat to some of the bigger names despite its potential.
Livingston-based BNE Real Estate Group is looking to change that. Their latest project, called The Green at Bloomfield and dubbed a “boutique community,” opened earlier this week and features studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments for lease in heart of downtown Bloomfield. BNE says they developed The Green “in response to the extreme demand for luxury residential options near public transit within vibrant, walkable locales such as Bloomfield.”
Located at 56 Broad Street right next to Bloomfield College’s campus, The Green sports pet-friendly apartments that have 9-foot ceilings, oversized windows, and gourmet kitchens. The Green has also made an effort to include several amenities like a state-of-the-art fitness center, a coffee bar, social lounge, and roof terrace with resort-style lounge seating.
The Green offers a fresh aesthetic throughout the property with a modern, inviting vibe that’s accentuated by impactful murals, modern wood paneling, contemporary furnishings, and other distinctive design features. The building also sports ground-floor retail space, which BNE says will soon be occupied by “a diverse selection of retailers.”
BNE Real Estate Group Partner Jonathan Schwartz is excited about the property, saying the building “promises to be a centerpiece for a new era in Bloomfield, as the township continues to evolve into one of the region’s most sought-after transit hubs.”
Bloomfield has indeed been growing fairly rapidly in recent years. There have been a few projects outside the town’s core like Parkway Lofts, which opened in 2014 and converted a former General Electric factory into modern apartments. But much of Bloomfield’s growth has come in the area near NJ Transit’s train station in the downtown section.
Last year, Avalon Bloomfield Station opened its’ doors and added a much-needed jolt to the downtown landscape. Glenwood Village also added 244 apartments and 65,000 square feet of retail across the street. Jersey City transplants will be interested to hear that a Satis Bistro outpost is scheduled to open in Bloomfield next month.
Downtown Bloomfield also features some nice open space, with the 69-acre Watsessing Park running along the town’s southern border and a historic green located directly across Broad Street from BNE’s latest building. With a burgeoning arts community, an ever-expanding restaurant scene, and just a 30-minute train ride to Penn Station, Bloomfield may indeed be emerging from the shadows of its trendier neighbors.
