Plans for a roughly 2,000-unit residential project at 310 Washington St. in Jersey City call for dramatic street-level improvements to a core downtown block, including more than an acre of park and courtyard space. — Renderings courtesy: Esen
By Joshua Burd
Esen, the new development firm launched by veterans of Brookfield Properties and Forest City, is offering a fresh look at its plans for a roughly 2,000-unit residential project in Jersey City.
The company on Tuesday unveiled new renderings for the mixed-use, multiphase development at 310 Washington St., where it will transform an existing surface parking lot just two blocks west of the Hudson River. The images hint at a plan that the firm said will prioritize dramatic street-level improvements to a core downtown block of Jersey City, including more than an acre of park and courtyard space, with features such as a pedestrian-only promenade connecting Washington and Greene streets and a central plaza designed for live music, community markets, movie nights and other neighborhood programming.
Esen hopes to begin construction next year, a spokeswoman said. Its partner in the project is Evergreen, the global shipping and transportation conglomerate, while it has unveiled a professional team that includes:
General contractor: Consigli-Noble (Consigli Construction and Noble Construction Group)
Architecture (design, interiors and amenities): KPF
Civil, environmental and geotechnical engineering: Langan
Planning: Dresdner Robin
MEP, fire protection, IT, security and audio visual: Cosentini
Landscape architecture: MPFP
Property management advisory: Bozzuto
“Delivering a project of this scale and ambition requires an awesome team of exceptional talent and technical expertise with a genuine dedication to the community,” said Jason Bonnet, Esen’s chief development officer. “Our assembled project team members and firms we are announcing absolutely share our commitment to thoughtful placemaking. At full build-out this surface parking lot will transform to a mixed-use district, delivering to our neighbors an acre of newly created public open space, as well as generating millions in annual tax revenues to fund local public schools and municipal services within Jersey City.”
The firm said the project, which will also include curated retail programming, is compliant with the site’s existing zoning and will not require a tax abatement or payment in lieu of taxes agreement. When delivered, it’s expected to generate more than $15 million annually in permanent tax revenue, expanding the city’s tax base and easing pressure on existing taxpayers.
Apartments within the development will range from studios to three-bedroom units. Renters, meantime, will be steps from the Grove Street and Exchange Place PATH stations as well as the city’s new Whole Foods Market and Grove Street’s thriving retail corridor.
