HARRISON, NJ—One of New Jersey's former urban industrial wastelands continues a remarkable transformation, as The Hampshire Companies and its joint venture partner, CrownPoint Group, and project investment advisor, Circle Squared Alternative Investments, marked the completion of 221 Bergen, a 104-unit luxury residential complex on Bergen Street in Harrison, NJ.

Harrison Mayor James A. Fife joined executives from the developers, project investors, and other officials to celebrate the opening last week.

“This project has, since the beginning, been driven by the passion for the continued renaissance by Harrison's Mayors,” says Jon F. Hanson, founder and chairman of The Hampshire Companies. “First, by Mayor Ray McDonough, who tragically passed away during the approval process and subsequently by Mayor Fife, who continued to lead with a passion which has been reverberated through our own halls and those of CrownPoint. For Hampshire, the completion of this project is a testament to our dedication to work with local officials and communities in order to create something that is more than just a building, but an opportunity to take part in the revitalization of a growing, thriving community. 221 Bergen embodies that sense of community.”

“The completion of 221 Bergen signals a coming out party for Harrison as the $250 million dollar expansion and modernization of the PATH station and the oft-written Gold Coast renaissance attracts millennials, empty-nesters and investors,” says Jeffrey Milanaik, CEO of CrownPoint Group.

Located in the River-Bend section of Harrison, New Jersey's newest residential complex broke ground in October 2014 and has been a shining star in Harrison's renaissance. Harrison Mayor James A. Fife joined executives from the developers, project investors, and other officials to celebrate the opening last week.

Situated on nearly one and a half acres, 221 Bergen features two 52-unit luxury residential buildings with one and two-bedroom rental units that are geared toward today's young, urban professionals. Amenities include a Residents Lounge with a kitchen and entertainment area, a fitness room with Life Fitness equipment, a yoga room with an On-Demand Kiosk loaded with 140 pre-recorded classes, furnished rooftop terrace with upscale seating and umbrellas, spacious greeting lobbies and available one car garages with openers and storage units.

“Whenever you are making an investment recommendation, the primary consideration is whether the project is sustainable in the community,” says Jeffrey Sica, founder and president of Circle Squared Alternative Investments. “Working with a trusted and long-term partner like Hampshire in a community with leadership as dedicated as Mayor Fife, and with integral infrastructure already in place, that recommendation to our investors becomes a lot easier.”

All one and two-bedroom luxury apartments at 221 Bergen feature nine-foot ceilings, entry foyers, full-sized washer and dryers, recessed and pendant lighting in the kitchen with quartz countertops with “roundover” edges, gas stoves with outside ventilation, stainless appliances, WiFi access throughout the building and optical cables for choice between Comcast or Verizon. All residences feature individually controlled central air conditioning and energy efficient heating. Walk-in closets, secured storage and garage parking is available.

Located within Harrison's Waterfront Redevelopment Area, the property is located one quarter mile away from the PATH station offering direct access to New York City, as well as NJ Transit, Amtrak and major area highways including I-280, I-95 and route 21.

Photo:

At ribbon cutting for 221 Bergen, from left: Councilman Anselmo Millan; John Porcek, CrownPoint Group; Jeff Sica, Circle Squared Alternative Investments; Mayor James Fife; Hudson County Executive Tom Degise; Jon Hanson, The Hampshire Companies; Jeff Milanaik, CrownPoint Group; Norman Feinstein, The Hampshire Companies; Councilman James Doran; Dan Cioffo