HOBOKEN, NJ—Demonstrating the time-honored adage that retailfollows rooftops, RKF has brought a passel ofretailers to the Mile Square City as the merchants seek to cater tothe growing population in luxury residential communities along theHudson. Over the past two years, in fact, RKF has completed 17 newtransactions totaling almost 65,000 square feet, GlobeSt.com haslearned exclusively.

“As new multifamily developments continue to rise above 10thStreet in Uptown Hoboken, many of the city's downtown retailers areflocking northward to establish a presence in the neighborhood,”says Glenn Beyer, senior managing director withRKF. Both regional and national players—including Massage Envy Spa,frozen yogurt chain 16 Handles, European Wax Center, PNC Bank andToni & Guy—as well as local favorites such as Cuban restaurantLa Isla, Riverside Pediatrics, Hoboken Montessori, Uptown Wine andSpirits and Bright Horizons Childcare have opened uptown locationsafter establishing themselves downtown.

Beyer cites La Isla as an example. The restaurateur signed a2,800-square-foot lease at 1100 Maxwell Ln. in the city's uptownsection after establishing its first location at 104 Washington St.downtown several years ago. “The activity has generated momentumfrom other up-and-coming brands looking to gain a foothold in thisexciting area,” he says.