Recently released renderings illustrate what a five-story building that is being envisioned for the Soul Food Factory site between East Orange’s two train stations could look like if it ends up coming to fruition.
Plans from Camden County-based Kitchen & Associates that have been published by East Orange’s municipal government depict the Hue Soul Apartments development, which was the subject of an application involving 429, 431, and 433 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, also known as Main Street.
As Jersey Digs previously reported, Novus Landmark East Orange Urban Renewal, LLC of Jersey City is proposing 113 residential units, roughly 3,562 square feet of retail and restaurant space, and parking, according to a notice of hearing. The renderings show plans for a bike storage area, an “amenity landscape deck” with outdoor seating, and an “interior amenity” area.
An April 2020 presentation from the City of East Orange stated that “the developer has requested a 22-year PILOT,” a reference to payments in lieu of taxes, noting that “the proposed project would not be built under regular taxes.”
East Orange Director of Policy, Planning, and Development Dan Jennings confirmed that the project was approved by the East Orange Planning Board earlier this month. The application reportedly sought preliminary and final major site plan approval with variances.
