JERSEY CITY, NJ—Philadelphia architectural and design firm Wallace Roberts & Todd says the first phase of Jersey City's Montgomery Gardens Neighborhood has begun with the demolition of three of the six 10-story high-rise towers in late August. The project will begin with 126 new mixed-income apartments that will be centered around a new neighborhood park. The project received $13.9 million in financing from New Jersey under the Sandy Disaster Recovery Program in April.

“This is a milestone for the neighborhood, which was one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Jersey City just four years ago,” says Nando Micale, FAIA, AICP, PP, principal of WRT. “Building off the successes of the development team's work in the Lafayette Park Neighborhood, this continues the city's transformation and provides housing for all incomes and all ages.”

WRT's Master Plan, in collaboration with The Michaels Organization and Jersey City Housing Authority, calls for a 15+ acre redevelopment area for nearly 900 new mixed-income rental and condominium apartments and a neighborhood mixed-use commercial center in the heart of Jersey City, within walking distance of the Journal Square PATH station.

The two-year planning effort was funded by the highly competitive HUD Choice Neighborhoods Program; a program that supports locally driven strategies to address struggling neighborhoods, and focuses on housing, people, and neighborhoods. The neighborhood was designed to meet the Enterprise Green Communities certification which focuses on healthy living environments, placemaking, walkability, energy efficiency, and water conservation. In addition to being recognized by HUD, the master plan received the NJ Future Smart Growth Award in 2013.

This phase of development follows a complete renovation of one of the 10-story towers for senior housing; subsequent phases include two mixed-use developments - one that includes a community health center and one that envisions a supermarket, charter school and an early childhood education center. The community offers views of the Jersey City and Manhattan skylines as well as long views to Ellis Island and The Statue of Liberty, the modern design complements the neighboring Beacon Luxury Apartments, the Art Deco complex of buildings that formerly housed the Jersey City Medical Center.

Instant Insights /

Montgomery Gardens Moves Forward in Jersey City

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