The Journal Square neighborhood of Jersey City is undergoing a dramatic transformation not seen in generations, with a slew of developments wrapping up work and other endeavors slated to wrap construction over the next year.
The most omnipresent ongoing project in the area is probably Kushner’s One Journal Square, which has begun residential leasing operations. The $1 billion development includes 1,723 residential units and sprawling retail space on the ground floor to be anchored by a new Target store.
A portion of a public plaza facing Kennedy Boulevard has been completed at the development, where pedestrian re-routes have become a staple during the construction. An area that was previously home to a non-functioning fountain is still being built out, but several roadways that took a beating during the work have been freshly paved.
The plaza’s partial opening has greatly improved the gateway to Journal Square from the PATH station, while a major arts endeavor chugs along across the street. The $72 million renovation of the Loew’s Jersey theater is humming along, with the historic building’s exterior completely covered in scaffold.
Jersey Digs recently covered the interior progress at the extensive renovation, which is being undertaken by Devils Arena Entertainment. The facility, which first opened in 1927, is on track to re-launch sometime next year.
Another sky-high development that is nearing the finish line sits at 505 Summit, a 54-story tower from Panepinto Properties. Set to consist of 605 residences and about 4,000 square feet of ground floor retail, the development is currently getting its lower façade work done.
A 3,200-square-foot public plaza along Summit Avenue will be built as part of the project, which will also feature a parking garage within its five-story base. 505 Summit is slated to come online during 2026.
Just a few blocks away, a new educational facility is rising at 4 Enos Place. The $96 million, 11-story tower will be the future home of Hudson County Community College’s Center for Student Success.
The property is slated to include 24 new state-of-the-art classrooms, expanded spaces for student services, and centralized offices for the college’s Continuing Education and Workforce Development. Other amenities include a black box theater, a full-size NCAA regulation gymnasium and fitness center, and a new healthcare lab, all of which aim to open in time for the start of the 2026-2027 school year.
A truly mixed-use development that stalled construction last year has begun work at 2966 Kennedy Boulevard. Developer Sunny Kumar has started work on Imperial Tower before pitching a taller version that will now rise 55 floors and include a 10% affordable housing component.
The residential component of the project will include a total of 542 units, while the development will also feature 154 hotel rooms. The ground floor of the project will boast a 4,800 square foot retail restaurant space plus another 1,700 square foot storefront, while the property’s roof deck will sport a pool deck, banquet hall, and two restaurant spaces.
Heading west, a block-long development at 96-110 Tonnelle Avenue has topped out and has started its façade work. Designed by Jorge Mastropietro Architects Atelier, the 13-story mixed-use project will consist of 196 units plus 3,217-square feet of retail space split between three separate storefronts fronting Tonnelle Avenue.
The second floor of the development will be dedicated to 13,044 square feet of office space that includes a rear-facing outdoor deck area, while the top of the future building will feature a sprawling outdoor roof deck that features a pool.
Perhaps the most interesting new architecture in the area comes from Singh Tower, which is close to opening as well. The 27-story property includes 209 residences plus 1,372 square feet of ground floor retail space.
The development hopes to eventually link to a future Bergen Arches greenway along a former rail line via a set of stairs that are included in the redevelopment.
Perhaps the busiest construction corridor in Journal Square is along Cottage Street, where the actual cottages that once lined the road are gradually disappearing. The largest standalone development is a 622-unit project from developer Nasser Freres called The Cottage, which is nearing completion.
Designed by Handel Architects, The Cottage sports an L-shaped design and features a ground floor with almost 4,000 square feet of retail space that will front Homestead Place. The new pedestrian plaza has development sprouting up all around it, include just across the street at 35 Cottage Street.
That tower, being built by Long Island-based Namdar Group, is set to include 329 residential units, plus a Chabad Synagogue, a pre-school facility, and the first dedicated party hall in Journal Square. The development is also slated to open its doors next year.
Another endeavor from Namdar Group at 612 Pavonia Avenue is at the other end of its construction life. The glass-heavy high-rise, which obtained $358 million in financing earlier this year, has started pouring concrete and will also sit along Homestead Place.
612 Pavonia will add other 432 residential units to the neighborhood along with 4,500 square feet of retail plus 3,295 square feet for a professional office spa. An estimated timeline for the development’s completion has not been announced.
