Construction is wrapping up on a major new mixed-use development while plans for other projects are in the works on a street in Essex County.
The Lotus 315 building now rises seven stories over the corner of South Harrison Street and East Highland Avenue in East Orange. The development, named in part because of its address, was initially expected to include 168 residential units upon completion. However, according to a legal notice, the East Orange Zoning Board of Adjustment adopted a resolution during its October 10 meeting that will allow developer 315 Urban Renewal, LLC to feature 180 apartments in the building instead. The units will be a mixture of studios, one bedrooms, and two bedrooms.
In addition, while approving the developer’s request for amended approvals, the Zoning Board allowed the firm to now include a total of 33,842 square feet of commercial space on the building’s ground floor. Of that, a 21,146-square-foot space is expected to contain a supermarket, though a tenant has not yet been announced. A 4,825-square-foot restaurant with 100 seats, a 3,435-square-foot bank, and a general 4,436-square-foot retail space are also planned for Lotus 315, which is now slated to include 299 parking spaces on the premises. 91 of those spots would be reserved for the businesses on the property.
Although the property sits just a few blocks away from the Central Avenue business district, South Harrison Street is a largely residential block that has not had a commercial presence until now. The corridor is lined with high-rise apartment buildings overlooking the Manhattan skyline, including Harrison Park Towers, The Park View at 320, Aura 240, and Indigo 141.
The Lotus 315 project has been in the works for at least two-and-a-half years. Previously, the site contained a massive empty lot. Signs that are currently posted in front advertise a “trendsetting urban lifestyle” with “contemporary apartments,” listing the developer as Newark-based Blackstone 360. A green roof garden, library, lounge, and fitness center for residents are also planned, according to the project website.
As crews are putting the finishing touches on Lotus 315, other developments are in the works for this thoroughfare, which connects Monte Irvin Orange Park and Orange’s Seven Oaks Park neighborhood with the Brick Church Train Station. As we reported at the beginning of this year, Blackstone 360 has proposed an 18-story apartment building with 201 units at 256-260 South Harrison Street while a 103-unit development is rising where an abandoned apartment building used to stand at 125 South Harrison Street. Plus, according to a legal notice, the East Orange Planning Board has scheduled a hearing for December 5 in connection with plans to add 71 to units to the Indigo 141 development.
