mixed-use
Mixed-use is a kind of urban development, urban design, urban planning and/or a zoning type that blends multiple uses, such as residential, commercial, cultural, institutional, or entertainment, into one space, where those functions are to some ...
(residential and commercial) building in
Newark, New Jersey
Newark ( , ) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of New Jersey and the seat of Essex County and the second largest city within the New York metropolitan area.Military Park and the
New Jersey Performing Arts Center
The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), in downtown Newark, New Jersey, United States, is one of the largest performing arts centers in the United States. Home to the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (NJSO), more than nine million visitors (i ...
, which inspired its name. Completed in 2018, it includes the first newly-constructed high rise apartment building to be built in the city in more than fifty years. It was designed by
BLT Architects
Bower Lewis Thrower Architects, Ltd. (BLTa) is an American architectural firm, founded and headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with offices in Atlantic City and Las Vegas. The firm has designed, overseen the renovation, or been the arc ...
.
Concept and development
NJPAC was originally conceived to have additional real estate component, including two buildings at the site of One Theater Square. The project was proposed in 2005 by former NJPAC president and CEO Lawrence P. Goldman. NJPAC and Dranoff Properties of Philadelphia signed a
Letter of Intent
A letter of intent (LOI or LoI, or Letter of Intent) is a document outlining the understanding between two or more parties which they intend to formalize in a contract, legally binding agreement. The concept is similar to a Heads of agreement ( ...
for the development of a mixed-use luxury residential and retail project in 2008.
At the time, it was initially planned as a 28-story building with 30,000 square feet of retail space, 640 parking spaces and 250 rental apartments. By 2010, the idea grew into a $190 million project with a 44-story tower, 328 residential rental units, a pool and a spa. However, due to an economic downturn and consequential financial difficulties, the plan was changed again. That proposal would have built the tallest building in the city.
Eventually, the plan for the site of called for 22 stories with 245 residential units, 24 of which will be affordable housing units marketed as artist residences; 12,000 square feet of street-level retail and cultural uses and structured parking for 285 cars to serve the shared needs of the residential community as well as those of NJPAC's audiences and daytime commercial demand. The estimated $116 million cost was offset by $38 million New Jersey Economic Development Authority Urban Transit tax credits and federal tax credits for inclusion of affordable housing for artists.
The project had been long delayed and stood to lose tax credits by 2017 if investment in construction was not started. Construction broke ground in November 2016. and the project was completed in late 2018.
Living Downtown
The project was conceived as part of a continued effort to increase the resident population in the heart of
Downtown Newark
Downtown Newark is the Central Business District of Newark in Essex County, New Jersey, United States.
Downtown is the site of the original Puritan settlement of Newark located at a bend in the Passaic River. The first settlers, led by Robert T ...
. It is near the restored
Eleven 80
Eleven80 is a tall residential skyscraper in Newark, New Jersey. Named for its address at 1180 Raymond Boulevard, Eleven 80 is located in Downtown Newark, just north of Four Corners across from Military Park. A hallmark of the Newark skyline sin ...
at
Raymond Boulevard
Raymond Boulevard is a major thoroughfare in Newark, New Jersey. The eastern portion of the road acts as the westbound member of a one-way pair; eastbound traffic uses Market Street and Ferry Street. Raymond Boulevard carries eastbound and westb ...
, the Union Building, the former
Hahne and Company
Hahne & Company (pronounced Hayne), commonly known as Hahne's, was a department store chain based in Newark, New Jersey. The chain had stores located throughout the central and northern areas of New Jersey.
History
The firm was founded by ...
flagship store, the
New Jersey Bell Headquarters Building
The New Jersey Bell Headquarters Building is located in Newark, Essex County, New Jersey, United States. The building was built in 1929 by the New Jersey Bell Telephone Company and was added to the National Register of Historic Places on Septembe ...
, and the
American Insurance Company Building
The American Insurance Company Building is one of the oldest and tallest skyscrapers in Newark, Essex County, New Jersey, United States. Located at 15 Washington Street on Washington Park it was once headquarters for the American Insurance Comp ...
as well as the newly constructed
50 Rector Park
50 Rector Park is an apartment building in Newark, New Jersey, the first market rate residential high-rise to be newly built in the city since 1962. Originally called One Riverview and later 1 Rector Street, there was a groundbreaking in 2013, bu ...
. As of 2019, the
Griffith Building
The Griffith Building, also known as the Griffith Piano Company Building, is located at 605-607 Broad Street by Military Park in the city of Newark in Essex County, New Jersey. It was built in 1927 and was added to the National Register of Hist ...
, long proposed for redevelopment, remains vacant.
Newark Light Rail
The Newark Light Rail (NLR) is a light rail system serving Newark, New Jersey and surrounding areas, operated by New Jersey Transit Bus Operations. The service consists of two segments, the original Newark City Subway (NCS), and the extension t ...
50 Rector Park
50 Rector Park is an apartment building in Newark, New Jersey, the first market rate residential high-rise to be newly built in the city since 1962. Originally called One Riverview and later 1 Rector Street, there was a groundbreaking in 2013, bu ...
*
List of tallest buildings in Newark
Newark, New Jersey, Newark, the largest city in New Jersey and second largest in New York metropolitan area, is one of the United States' major air, shipping, and rail hubs. It has a distinctive skyline, though shorter than that of much larger ...