Tucker Development breaks ground on Phase I of Hudson Lights project

Fort Lee mayor Mark Sokolich and other borough officials joined Tucker Development Corp., Ares Management and Kushner Real Estate Group (KRE Group) to break ground on Phase I of Hudson Lights, a large-scale, one-million s/f, mixed-use redevelopment located at the entrance to the George Washington Bridge. Hudson Lights' first phase will total 517,000 s/f of commercial and residential space, comprising 143,000 s/f of retail space and 276 apartments that will feature numerous amenities for residents, including a pool, lounge, fitness center, rooftop terrace and gardens. The development's first phase will also include 864 parking stalls. During the groundbreaking ceremony, Tucker Development unveiled Hudson Lights' lead tenant, iPic, which will build an eight-screen, 533-seat luxury movie theater and its award-winning dining concept, Tanzy, as part of the development's first phase. "This administration is committed to forging business-friendly policies and partnerships aimed to position Fort Lee as a sought-after destination in the tri-state area for decades to come," Sokolich said. "Hudson Lights is exactly the kind of large-scale, forward-thinking project that will help us realize that objective." Designed by leading architecture and planning firm Arquitectonica, Hudson Lights is the western portion of a comprehensive redevelopment plan on a prime 16-acre site in Fort Lee. The development will front on Lemoine Avenue, Main Street, Park Avenue (formerly Martha Washington Way) and Bruce Reynolds Boulevard. Further, two new roadways will be constructed as part of the redevelopment. The new Central Avenue will link Lemoine Avenue and Park Avenue, while Hudson Street, the focal point of the pedestrian-oriented retail, will be constructed between Main Street and the new Central Avenue. Tucker Development is constructing Hudson Lights with its development partner, KRE Group. Tishman Construction Corporation is serving as the development's general contractor. KRE Group will also assist with property management for the development's residential component upon completion. Robert K. Futterman & Associates is serving as the development's exclusive retail leasing agent. "Hudson Lights represents so much more than its brick and mortar component," said Richard Tucker, president and CEO of Tucker Development. "Today's groundbreaking is the next step in downtown Fort Lee's transformation into an urban-inspired, walkable community that will attract people from throughout the region to its eclectic mix of shopping, dining, entertainment and luxury residential offerings." Phase I of Hudson Lights is expected to create hundreds of New Jersey jobs while providing a significant boost to Fort Lee's commercial and residential tax base. The new iPic theater will enable guests to enjoy movies in ultimate comfort and style with reclining chairs, pillows and blankets. At the push of a button, guests can summon personal servers to deliver signature dishes or handcrafted cocktails from iPic's in-theater restaurant, Tanzy Express. "This area of Northern New Jersey is emerging as a rich cultural destination, and we are excited for iPic to be a major social cornerstone for this market," said Hamid Hashemi, President and CEO of iPic Entertainment. The fully entitled second phase of Hudson Lights is approved to include an additional 201 residential units, approximately 50,000 s/f of retail space and parking, as well as a 175-room hotel. The zoning also affords the development the option for an office building of up to 430,000 square feet.