Rezoning Approved for $400M Work-Life Campus in NJ

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ – The Connell Co. has secured rezoning approval to expand its reimagining of the 185-acre, work-life campus, the Park, in Berkeley Heights, NJ.

Currently in the midst of a $400 million redevelopment, the Park will deliver flexible workspaces, experiential dining, bespoke fitness amenities, hospitality and residential offerings, as well as wellness and concierge services.

The campus is currently occupied by tenants, such as L’Oreal, Celgene, Samsung, Life Time Fitness, Grain & Cane Restaurant, a 176-room Embassy Suites hotel and the 40,000-square-foot co-working space, Round Table Studios. The campus additionally boasts outdoor walking and jogging trails.

Receiving unanimous approval from the Berkeley Heights Town Council, the Connell Co.’s rezoning plans are set to commence construction this year. The plans encompass a pedestrian-focused, urban-style development, called the District, which will include more than 300 apartments, as well as retail, entertainment and dining offerings, including duckpin bowling, a taco stand, a brewery and beer garden with rooftop event space, a dog park, athletic fields and an additional 30,000 square feet of retail space.

New York City-based designer, David M. Sullivan is working alongside Shane Connell, to spearhead the Park’s re-imagination. Gensler served as the architect-of-record for the newley-opened, Round Table Studios, located at 200 Connell Drive. Mancini Duffy now serves as the architect-of-record for the ongoing transformation at The Park.

Completion of the Park is slated for 2023.

“For decades, the Connell Company has been a proud, committed partner to Berkeley Heights,” states Shane Connell, EVP of the Connell Co. “With the Park, we’re doubling down on that commitment to the local community — and the regional workforce at large — with the introduction of publicly accessible parkland; a mixed-use residential and experiential retail district; and a host of unique hospitality-inspired amenities that promote wellness, fitness and the work-from-anywhere experience.”

The Connell Co. aims to position the Park to assist the campus’ business community in attracting top-tier talent.

The Park’s business community began reopening its offices in the summer of 2020, after the onset of the pandemic. In doing so, the Connell Co. implemented onsite and virtual healthcare from Eden Health, access to a fitness director and nutritionist, concierge fitness services with a 12,000-square-foot gym, flexible workspaces and outdoor workstations.

“While this year has been a challenging one for our families, friends, and company, we didn’t let these challenges define our trajectory,” says Steve Kilroy, Connell’s SVP of hospitality and marketing. “Instead we focused on how to improve the world around us — starting right here at The Park. The Park is a community laser-focused on health, wellness, and establishing a connected community — both within the campus and to the surrounding region.”

“The Park has long been a staple of Berkeley Heights, and with the final adoption of its rezoning now unanimously approved, its transformation will add an array of high-quality residences, amenities, outdoor trails, restaurants and retail to our community,” says Berkeley Heights Mayor, Angie Devanney. “We’ve worked hard to create synergies with the Connell team to create a place that will complement our local businesses, enabling our downtown to thrive while attracting new interest in Berkeley Heights.”