JERSEY CITY, N.J. | Metropolitan | 775 FT / 236 M | 67 FLOORS
 

Don't think this building has a thread of its own. If so, this can be folded into it...

(Jersey Journal)

Sky's the limit in Jersey City


October 02, 2006
By JARRETT RENSHAW


Jersey City is quickly becoming Vertical City.

Already home to the state's four tallest buildings, by decade's end it could have the 10 tallest, further transforming nearly everything Downtown east of Grove Street into Manhattan-style high-rises, supported by an extensive public transportation system.

The city's Planning Board is expected to consider a 775-foot residential tower, dubbed the Metropolitan, on land just south of the Newport Mall, at the site the Pep Boys Automotive store.

If completed, the $200 million Metropolitan would become the state's second tallest building, after the 781-foot Goldman Sachs building on Hudson Street. The tower is one of several that may be built in the 18-acre shopping area currently anchored by a Shop-Rite supermarket and a BJ's Wholesale Club.

The Shop-Rite is expected to stay, perhaps absorbed by one of the future buildings, officials said.

It was just months ago that Donald Trump made his splash on the Gold Coast, announcing plans for Trump Plaza Jersey City, boasting that its two towers would be the tallest residential buildings in the state.

But with the announcement of the Metropolitan, Trump can no longer make that claim.

Jersey City has the four tallest buildings and another, Harborside Plaza 5, that is tied with Borgota in Atlantic City as the fifth. A number of projects slated for construction during the next several years will move into the state's top 10 list.

They include 111 First St., Trump Towers, the Metropolitan and 77 Hudson St.

"It is really a reflection of the pressure put on Jersey City to become vertical," said Bob Antonicello, the executive director of the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency.

"The market is so great, the incentive is so great. Now, it becomes under-utilization of the land and there is no better example of that than the Pep Boys. Just to have retail there is under-under-utilization."

Ward E Councilman Steve Fulop, whose ward includes all of those skyscrapers, offered a mixed reaction.

"From an aesthetic point of view, it's a wonderful thing. We are going to have a wonderful skyline," he said. "From an infrastructure standpoint, we never planned for this much density. It's a possibility that we are growing faster than we expected.

"But that's a good thing," he added.

67-story tower to overlook Newport Mall
Proposed for Pep Boys site, would be 2nd largest building in state

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FUTURE CONDO SITE – The Metropolitan is planned for construction on the site of the Pep Boys Automotive Supercenter. The other stores at the center will remain.


Ricardo Kaulessar
Reporter staff writer 09/15/2006


A 755-foot residential tower called the "Metropolitan" is being proposed for land just south of the Newport Mall, at the site of where a Pep Boys Automotive store is currently located.

If it gets its city approvals, the structure at Sixth and Washington streets would be the second largest building in New Jersey. The largest building is already in Jersey City: the Goldman Sachs building at 30 Hudson St. stands at 791 feet.

Within a 10-block radius, there are several condo towers either under construction or that have been approved for construction, including: the 55-story Trump Plaza Jersey City on Washington Blvd. and Bay Street; the 33-story Athena on the corner of Washington Boulevard and Second Street; and the proposed San Remo I, San Remo, and Monaco condo towers located off Washington Boulevard behind the Doubletree Hotel.

The Metropolitan, when completed, will have 809 condominium units, 809 parking spaces on seven floors, and 12,445 square feet of retail space.

The tower is one of several that may be built in that 18-acre shopping area currently anchored by a Shop Rite supermarket and BJ's Wholesale Club. But those shopping stores will still remain.

The plans for the Metropolitan were presented to the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency at their August meeting, and will be presented to the Jersey City Planning Board on October 3.

Details behind the Metropolitan

G&S Investors, a real estate investment company based in Port Chester, N.Y., will build the Metropolitan. They have been the owners of the Metro Plaza shopping center since the early 1990s.

The designer of the project is the architectural firm Arquitectonica of Miami. They also designed the Ellipse, a 460-foot residential tower planned for construction in Jersey City's Newport residential area. They also designed the Westin Times Square hotel in New York City.

Tom Lehne, consultant for G&S Investors, said last week the Metropolitan is estimated to cost $180 to $200 million and construction would start next summer, pending all approvals from the city.

Lehne was the former head of the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency in the early 1980s.

Lehne also dispelled rumors regarding the closing of the Shop Rite supermarket, BJ'S Wholesale Club, and Bed, Bath & Beyond stores.

"The other stores have very long-term leases and they are doing great business, especially the Shop Rite," said Lehne. "And it is the wish of [Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy] and the Redevelopment Agency, and I am sure the Planning Department, that the Shop Rite and its parking lot stays intact."

First phase of development at shopping center

Jersey City attorney Francis Schiller, representing the developers, said the Metropolitan project would be the first phase of a larger development project that would span over 20 years, with retail always having a presence in the plaza. Schiller said there will be a meeting with the city's Planning Department to create a master plan specifically for the plaza.

What prompted G&S Investors to look at a residential component? Lehne said the decision was based on them seeing the continuing development in Jersey City.

Schiller said there is no height restriction in the area, which is governed by the Hudson Exchange Redevelopment Plan. The height of this building, Schiller said, would provide "great view corridors" of the New York Skyline to the east and the Watchung Mountains to the west.

What's inside the Metropolitan?

Lehne said the developers are looking to provide a "first-class signature building."

Instead of housing only condos, Lehne said the developers may decide to provide a mix of condos and rentals. That will be predicated on a marketing study being done by the developers currently to learn how to attract new residents to the Metropolitan.

Lehne added that the developers will contribute their share of affordable housing as required by the city for the its Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

Residential units will conceal the four stories of parking from public view.

The 12,445 square feet of retail space on the ground floor will be divided into three areas. Both Schiller and Lehne agreed that the retail will be "neighborhood friendly boutiques" or small-scale retail since there are already big-box stores.

Councilman likes project but not abatement

Lehne said the developers will seek a tax abatement for the project.

A tax abatement is an agreement to exempt a developer from paying regular fluctuating property taxes. Instead, the developer makes a separate revenue deal to pay money directly to the city over 20 or 30 years. The city gets all the money rather than having to share it with the county and schools.

In the last few years, the agreements have become controversial because some people believe developers don't need the extra incentive to build, and other residents may have to chip in a bigger share of taxes than they should have to.

"The city actually makes a lot of money; it's a revenue producer," argued Lehne. "This site is two, three acres, which will mean millions of dollars going to the city."

Also happy about the Metropolitan but opposed to an abatement being granted is Ward E City Councilman Steven Fulop, who represents most of Downtown Jersey City, including the project site.

"I think it will be a great project, but if they come to seek an abatement, I will vote against it," said Fulop. "I think they can build this project without incentives."

from jerseycityportal.com

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Awesome. GO JC!

Killer tower, but seriously why not just add that extra 7 feet needed to become the tallest in New Jersey?

I loveeeeeeeeeee the fact that Jersey City is developing such an admirable skyline. Good for Jersey.

It's nice to see those towers rising there. But I really wish they would reconsider that whole "tower in a shopping plaza thing". That just stinks.

Horrible idea.

that tower could look amazing if the top is spruced up a bit and maybe a nice spire is added

Oh shit, wow, this news is really a pleasant surprise. It's a killer tower indeed, both in height and design. Great location too, that part of the skyline really needed some gaps fixed up. And the design is world class, very Lake Point Tower ish. Any city would be proud to have such a tower. Besides, it would greatly enhance the already amazing view of JC from Battery Park City and any other NY location where JC is visible. And with all the developments going on further inland, the skyline will get even bulkier and more three dimensional, not just a line along the coast. And all those other towers in the rendering... too much good info at a time, wow... And just when I thought JC building boom was pretty much over.

It's nice.
I like the floor count. It's like the anti-GS.

Go New Jersey!

Way to go JC.

When I drive into the city on the turnpike, you can't help but notice the added density Jersey City provides.

New York is more than a group of islands, it is really remarkable to see New Jersey actually become the 6th borough.

I hate to say this, but Jersey City has a better skyline than Queens and rivals other cities; including, but not limited to Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Chicago (nice skyline, but the density is outrageous in the NY region) and countless other fine cities.

Yesterday I went to Riverbank State Park (on 145 Street along the Hudson River) and I looked down river... Man what a veiw, from where I was JC looked like and extension of the Manhattan skyline, with 30 Hudson dominaiting JC's skyline. The Metropolitan will really be a great project adding more height to JC's skyline.

I don't begrudge the growth of Jersey City's skyline one bit: Manhattan will spill over into Brooklyn and Queens in the next few years, and has already spread into New Jersey! All together, What an amazing example of urbanity the NYC metropolitan area is.

I wonder what tourists think about our multiple skylines.

I also wonder if the tour guides are educating the tourists correctly.

I recall several years ago I was dining at the Rainbow Room Grill and this gentleman was trying to impress his date by naming the five boroughs.

He completely forgot about Staten Island when he named "New Jersey" as a borough.

I'm not sure if his date caught on or what, but she didn't look impressed with his obvious (lack of) knowledge.

*sigh* - I am such a fish. :stunned:

OK, so the obvious question is... anyone have a clue as to when this tower will go up???:stunned:

Haha. Nice story.

I dont know if Jersey City is rivaling Chicago in skyline or anything like that but it is definitely progressing. Its very true that JC adds alot to the view. It reminds you that your in an enormous metropolis that stretches much further than the NYC borders.

Im so glad for my homestate! :cheers:

Whoa, that kicks ass. Great to see that area redeveloped too, I hate that auto-oriented shopping center and mall crap over there, which puts a damper on a otherwise awesome high density area in a great location. I walked through there last spring and was shocked at how under developed it was given its only 15 minutes from Manhattan by PATH train.

BTW, there is a little motor lodge over there on the Holland Tunnel toll plaza which offers super cheap lodging with free parking. For anyone who is passing through NYC on a roadtrip, I highly recomend it. I booked it online for $67 a night, included a room with a king size bed, microwave and minifridge, plus a really nice free continetial breakfest, all of it two blocks from the Pavonia/Newport PATH station.