An effort to transform a former tow lot and surface parking into a vibrant mixed-use neighborhood is officially complete, as a development’s final portion of open space along Jackson Street is open to the community.
Back in 2017, ground broke on what has become Bijou Properties’ 7 Seventy House. Designed by Hoboken-based Marchetto Higgins Stieve Architects, the 14-story high rise tower includes 424 units and was completed last year.
Construction included a first phase of open space that consisted of a children’s playground, a one-acre green space designed for passive recreation, a 6,835-square foot community gym, and infrastructure to capture over 450,000 gallons of rainwater in an underground detention system to reduce flooding.
We profiled a second portion last year called Monroe Square that was to include a one-acre public plaza with step seating, a tilted lawn panel, play sculptures, restrooms, and a large plaza to accommodate vendors and seasonal markets. Bijou Properties and partner Intercontinental Real Estate Corporation recently completed the final one-acre portion.
“Hoboken’s west side is a unique community that’s been carefully planned to maintain a lower density by intelligently blending its residential homes with creative and meaningful retail services and public amenities,” says Larry Bijou, managing partner of locally-based Bijou Properties. “Obviously, the two-acre park is a desired neighborhood enhancement and plays an important role in establishing its open feel.”
The plaza portion connects the Monroe Center to 7 Seventy House, which includes four large retail spaces that face the plaza. While three of the storefronts are currently vacant, one was recently leased to Prime Time Cleaners, a locally owned dry cleaner, who opened their second Hudson County location in the 875 square feet space. Also, we exclusively reported last year that zoning changes were enacted to allow a brewery to operate at the property.
While there hasn’t been any formal announcement as to what other retail could be coming to the plaza, it is now open to the public. It will likely get use this summer by local fitness companies, who will be allowed to host outdoor workouts amid COVID-19 restrictions.
