SOUTH ORANGE, NJ-Work has at last begun on The Gateway, a community of 57 luxury apartments and 9,100 square feet of retail space to rise on vacant land next to the train station in the South Orange Village Center.

The project is a joint venture of EEA Industries and SWH Residential Partners and part of a state-designated Transit Village.

“The Gateway is aptly named because this redevelopment is a critical component of the Village's Downtown Vision Plan and serves as the western gateway leading to our bustling central business district,” said the village president, Alex Torpey.

The mixed-use project at 9 W. South Orange Ave. will cater to those seeking a transit-connected downtown lifestyle, he said. Its one- and two-bedroom apartments will be served by a virtual (online) concierge.

“The Gateway will be an integral component of the continued revitalization of downtown South Orange,” said Edward Ayuso, principal of EEA. “We are based in South Orange and have a long track record of developing successful apartment communities here. We are sincerely dedicated to developing communities that meet the diverse needs of the residents in the Village, and we're confident that The Gateway will meet everyone's expectations.”

River Drive Construction is construction manager for the project, which was designed by architectural firm Jarmel Kizel.

“We look forward to delivering a remarkable building to the people of South Orange,” added Joseph Langan of River Drive.

The South Orange Performing Arts Center is located near the train station, which provides Midtown Direct service to Manhattan.  Also, South Orange is home to Seton Hall University. 

“As South Orange continues to evolve into one of New Jersey's most sought-after locales, it is imperative that we increase the number of high-quality housing options available to those who want to live here,” said Barry Lewis, village administrator. “The Gateway is exactly the type of development we need