This summer, the old Verizon building on the east side of Journal Square previously home to Art House Productions was torn down to clear the way for phase two of Journal Squared’s ambitious three-tower plan. Now, the second tower, which will be the tallest of the three, has broken ground and will soon begin rising to its 72 story peak.
Designed by HWKN/Hollwich Kushner and Handel Architects, the plans indicate it will tower 759 feet over the neighborhood, rising high above even the higher towers downtown. 30 Hudson Street is still taller, but the hill elevating Journal Square above the rest of Jersey City is the perfect optical illusion, and the Journal Squared development appears to be the tallest as far as the eye can see.
The actual tallest residential building in the State of New Jersey will be, upon completion, 99 Hudson Street in downtown Jersey City.
Opened in the spring of 2017, phase one of Journal Squared is 54 floors and has 538 apartments featuring high-end finishes alongside luxury amenities like the Sky Lounge with spectacular views of Manhattan. The tower saw strong leasing activity and is now reportedly 80% leased.
Phase two of Journal Squared is expected to be completed late 2020 and will bring about 600 apartments into the mix. And phase three will be 60 stories and round out the total number of apartments to 1,840.
Completion of just one out of the three towers has transformed the Journal Square block at Summit and Magnolia Avenues with a renovated pedestrian plaza, new trees, and additional lighting. The neighborhood is anxious for the future developments of Journal Squared as well as One Journal Square, by Kushner Companies, on the west side of the Path Station whose redesigned towers were just approved by the city.
