One of the most ambitious revitalization efforts undertaken in Plainfield should see more shovels in the ground later this year as the next portion of work on a sprawling effort to build significant new housing near a transit hub has been greenlit.
Plainfield’s Planning Board recently approved an application to revitalize 401 E. 3rd Street, a mostly empty lot at the road’s intersection with Richmond Street. The building will be the second phase of a much larger 1,400-unit project called The Heritage, which is courtesy of the Ramani Group.
Per TapInto, the company opened the 131-unit CitiVillage at The Heritage in 2023. The second phase of the project, called The Bishop, has been designed by Lyndhust-based Emara Ghobrail Architects.
The project is inspired by Plainfield’s history as the Queen City, a moniker that dates to 1886. Omar Farahat, head of marketing at Emara Ghobrail Architects, told Jersey Digs that the entirety of the development is essentially creating a city within a city and is hoping to blend Plainfield’s rich history with modern living.”
“The Queen represents heritage, and like chess, where different pieces work together to protect the King, our buildings symbolize elements of the city working together to build a strong community,” said Farahat. “This is about more than housing—it’s about heritage, craftsmanship, and creating a place people are proud to call home.”
Besides the residential units, The Bishop will also include over 10,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor amenities. Four separate retail storefronts will face 3rd Street, spanning as small as 1,400 square feet to almost 3,500 square feet.
Plans for The Bishop also include 206 parking spaces in a garage at the rear of the property. The building’s exterior will sport beige cement panels and a brick veneer finish. Construction is set to begin towards the end of this summer.
The Heritage project will include six different phases, but architectural plans for the last four portions have not yet emerged.
