A 55-story tower with a ground-floor Whole Foods is slated to be heard by Jersey City’s Planning Board next month. Rendering by Handel Architects.
The burgeoning Journal Square neighborhood of Jersey City could be setting the table to get a new high-rise plus a Whole Foods supermarket as officials have set a date where the greenlight could be given to another mixed-use tower.
Jersey Digs first reported on a proposal to revamp 2859-2873 Kennedy Boulevard last year after it emerged during community meetings. The property, directly adjacent to the Loews Jersey Theater, is currently home to a two-story retail property that features a curved design.
The entity looking to demolish the existing structure in favor of a new development is Kennedy Blvd Acquisitions LLC, an entity registered out of Madison Avenue in New York City. The Jersey City Redevelopment Agency’s Board of Commissioners approved a redevelopment deal for the project earlier this month.
Per NJ.com, Whole Foods confirmed that are looking to take space on the ground floor of the project pending full approvals. The grocer’s potential Journal Square location would be their second in Jersey City, following a Greene Street spot Downtown that opened in 2023 after years of rumors.
“We look forward to continuing to serve the Jersey City community with high-quality natural and organic products and an unparalleled grocery shopping experience,” a Whole Foods spokesperson told the outlet.
An aerial look at the development at 2873 Kennedy Boulevard. Rendering by Handel Architects.
But before Whole Foods can be imminent and demolition work can begin, the proposed development needs final approvals. Jersey City’s Planning Board announced during their recent meeting that the application for 2859-2873 Kennedy Boulevard will be heard during their April 14 meeting.
Further specifics have emerged regarding the entire project in advance of possible approval next month. Designed by Handel Architects, the 55-story development would rise to just over 588 feet and include 840 residential units, 84 of which are affordable.
The majority of the residences in the proposed development would be smaller, comprising 198 studios, 417 one-bedroom units, 191 two-bedroom units, and 34 three-bedroom units.
Rendering by Handel Architects.
The first floor, where Whole Foods has committed to take up residence, would boast double-height ceilings and approximately 48,687 square feet of commercial space. The exterior of the development would feature a glass-heavy tower while preserving the property’s curved design, with metal and copper components on the lower floors.
No car parking would be included in the development, but a 420-bike storage room would be located in the cellar of the property. The project would also construct new loading bays along Magnolia Avenue.
Elsewhere in the development, the fifth floor would feature 4,831 square feet of amenity space, plus a 4,097-square-foot outdoor terrace. The building would also have a rooftop amenity space on the 55th floor, boasting a 6,165-square-foot outdoor deck.
The proposed development would utilize the Commercial Use Bonus and Loew’s Art Walk and Loading Bonus within the Journal Square 2060 Redevelopment Plan and is asking for nine total variances from existing zoning.
The deviations being sought for the development include: number of stories, commercial-use bonus building height, minimum ground-floor floor-to-ceiling height, minimum storefront glazing requirement, minimum loading apron length, minimum loading deck approach, loading circulation requirements, rooftop mechanical equipment screening, rooftop appurtenance maximum coverage, and rooftop appurtenance minimum setback.
The development is also seeking variances from Jersey City’s forestry standards to proceed under the current proposal.
The April 14 meeting of the Jersey City Planning Board starts at 5:30 p.m. and will be held in the Boardroom at the Holloway Building inside the City Hall Annex at 4 Jackson Square.