104 Baker in Maplewood — Courtesy: Deugen Development LLC/Iron Ore Properties LLC
By Joshua Burd
A construction team has unveiled a 25,000-square-foot project that has brought 11 upscale apartments and new ground-floor retail space to downtown Maplewood.
According to developer Iron Ore Properties LLC and Deugen Development LLC, its general contractor for the site, the building known as 104 Baker is now in lease-up, with a location near the busy intersection of Baker Street and Maplewood Avenue. It’s also a five-minute walk from Maplewood’s commuter rail station, while boasting amenities such as on-site parking, electric car-charging stations and an indoor and outdoor rooftop terrace.
The property’s ground-floor retail space comprises 3,737 square feet.
“The infill redevelopment of this former gas station resulted in the delivery of a high-quality, upscale property offering immediate-neighborhood access to a transit-friendly, vibrant downtown district,” said Eric Gormeley, CEO of Hoboken-based Deugen. “Pride in our craft is rooted in delivering exceptional service and construction that retains long-term curb appeal and property performance while also enhancing the immediate neighborhood. We are pleased with 104 Baker’s end product, which was made possible by a close public official/private developer collaboration.”
The team noted that 104 Baker includes eight two-bedroom and three one-bedroom apartments with high-end interiors, appliances and finishes. They added that the building, designed by UHL Architecture of Orange, has an exterior façade with a series of recesses and an extended enclosure that provides additional light, air and dimensional relief, while its modern, two-tone light brick and wood plank-siding mirror the neighborhood’s historic character with an overall linear pattern that complements surrounding buildings.
“From the predevelopment planning phase right through to the final touches, our entire team worked in close collaboration with the Maplewood Village Alliance to ensure 104 Baker reflects and honors the current streetscape while extending the vibrant sight lines of the neighborhood,” said Josh Sternberg, principal of Iron Ore Properties. “We were able to partner with and incorporate the alliance’s feedback to successfully deliver Maplewood’s newest residential and retail lifestyle center to enhance Maplewood’s iconic city center.”
The firms also touted downtown Maplewood’s collection of restaurants, supermarket, independent cafés, bookstore and other lifestyle services and offerings. The acclaimed commercial district, which is 20 miles from Midtown Manhattan, is pedestrian-friendly but also provides access to NJ Transit rail and bus service and several area highways.
