The Journal Square development party could be getting yet another guest as a new high-rise is being planned for a property across the street from the neighborhood’s PATH station.
Last month, an application was submitted to Jersey City’s planning department that looks to dramatically expand a one-story building at 80 Journal Square. The parcel, currently home to a CH Martin store, is sandwiched between the recently renovated 2 Journal Square office building and the currently under renovation Loew’s Jersey Theater.
The land, which backs up to the trackage for the PATH trains, is currently owned by a Fairview-based company. However, BH3 Management has applied to add a 26-story structure over the existing building that would top out at 283 feet. BH3 Management stated they are partnered with Hope Street Capital on the project.
The proposed development would embrace the moniker of mixed-use, as it would keep the 3,030-square feet of retail space on the ground floor and include 17,625-square feet of office space. The design team listed on the application is Hoboken-based Marchetto Higgins Stieve, the same firm that worked on Spitzer Enterprises’ nearby 425 Summit Avenue tower that is currently under construction.
The remainder of the proposed vertical expansion at 80 Journal Square would consist of 368 housing units, breaking down as 115 studios, 138 one-bedrooms, 92 two-bedrooms, and 23 three-bedroom spaces. The application lists the development as having no affordable housing component despite Jersey City’s recently enacted inclusionary housing ordinance.
The proposal does not include any on-site parking for cars due in part to its proximity to the PATH station, but 187 bicycle spaces are incorporated in the proposal. The application also mentions an “enclosed amenity space” that would adorn the building’s rooftop.
The proposed tower would require several “c” variances to move forward that include height exemptions related to the rooftop appurtenances, setback deviations for both the tower and the side and rear yards, plus ones related to loading requirements. The planning board has not yet set a date to hear the application.
