JLL Capital Markets arranged $28.5 million in financing secured for New Jersey multi-housing community

Jersey City, NJ JLL Capital Markets has arranged $28.5 million in permanent financing for The Ashton, a 93-unit, six-story, Class A apartment community.

JLL worked on behalf of the borrower, Normandy Opportunity Zone Fund, LP, a closed-end, fully discretionary investment fund managed by Columbia Property Trust, to secure the 10-year, interest-only, fixed-rate, loan through Morgan Stanley Real Estate.

Built in 2020, The Ashton offers a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments with an average size of 893 s/f. Units feature granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and individual washers and dryers in each unit. Community amenities include an 8,000 s/f deck with fire pits and lounge seating, a 3,000 s/f rooftop deck with views of the Manhattan skyline, a fitness center, a clubroom, a resident lounge with co-working spaces, garage parking and bicycle storage.

Situated at 2 Ash St., the property is conveniently located in Jersey City’s Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood, which is a Qualified Opportunity Zone. Set just a few blocks away from Liberty State Park’s Hudson-Bergen Light Rail station and less than one mile from Interstate 78, the property offers efficient access to the Hudson Waterfront, lower Manhattan and the greater New York MSA. Additionally, the community is 1.5 miles from Paulus Hook Ferry and Exchange Place Station, offering additional transit options to Manhattan. The neighborhood provides residents multiple parks and greenspace, including Lafayette Park in Bergen-Lafayette’s eastern section, which sits closest to historic downtown Jersey City.

The JLL Capital Markets Debt Advisory Team representing the borrower was led by Jon Mikula and Gerard Quinn.

“Demand for new luxury multi-housing on the west side of Jersey City is exploding. We were very pleased by how quickly ownership was able to lease up this asset during a challenging COVID environment,” said Mikula.