Genova Burns receives site plan approval for Baldwin Place in Jersey City, N.J.

Genova Burns LLC, representing lead developer Argent Ventures, has received site plan approval for Baldwin Place, a six-acre mixed-use redevelopment in the Journal Sq. neighborhood. Attorney Eugene Paolino, partner at Genova Burns, unveiled the first details about Baldwin Place during a presentation at the Jersey City Planning Board meeting on June 23. The redevelopment calls for 980 market-rate rental apartments, distributed among four buildings, two of which are 7 stories and are part of Phase I and two are each 25 stories which are part of Phase II. The project, when completed, will open long obstructed view corridors and include luxury amenities such as rooftop pools, 36,447 s/f of ground floor retail, a parking garage for 502 cars, and bike storage locations. Perhaps most impressively, the development will boast a wide, landscaped promenade with unobstructed views of the Manhattan skyline, the Jersey City waterfront and the Statue of Liberty. The project will be integrated with the Journal Square neighborhood and will provide seamless access to a variety of public transportation lines. "My take is that the design and development of Baldwin Place is an exciting and imaginative approach, not only in addressing the remains of our industrial heritage, but in doing so in a way that is appreciative and sensitive of the neighborhood," said Mr. Paolino. "The redevelopment is thoughtfully designed to grow alongside the surrounding community, infusing quality housing options in a redevelopment site that has long needed attention in Jersey City." The site, purchased by Argent Ventures in 2012, currently houses five commercial buildings originally belonging to the C.F. Mueller Pasta Company. After Mueller vacated the site in 1997, the buildings deteriorated over time, leaving an abandoned eyesore at the geographical center of Jersey City. Argent Ventures plans to fully demolish each the dilapidated structures in advance of the first phase of construction of the redevelopment. Situated within a ten-minute walk of the Journal Square PATH station and bus depot, Baldwin Place offers efficient access to Manhattan and various cities in New Jersey. PATH commuters can reach the World Trade Center or downtown Newark in 11 minutes and Midtown Manhattan in 20 minutes. Additionally, the site is conveniently located within approximately one mile of both the New Jersey Turnpike and Routes 1&9. Baldwin Place's revelation comes on the heels of several prominent new developments in the Journal Square community. The City, which designated the neighborhood as an "area in need of rehabilitation" in 2008, formally adopted the Journal Square Redevelopment Plan in 2010, designed to foster development of transit-oriented development of new housing, offices, commercial, and public open spaces. Over 4,000 new residences are currently planned for the Journal Square neighborhood in addition to Baldwin Place, including One Journal Square, a recently announced redevelopment that includes approximately 1,500 apartments and 100,000 square feet of new retail space and parking. Genova Burns also serves as counsel on the project.