A new five-story building has added 64 apartments to The Mill at Riverside, marking the completion of a project that includes a combined 190 rental units. — Photo/video courtesy: Kokes Properties
By Joshua Burd
Kokes Properties has unveiled the final piece of a major redevelopment in Riverside, revitalizing a once-vacant factory site with a combined 190 apartments and townhome-style rentals.
According to the firm, the new five-story building adds 64 units to the existing community known as The Mill at Riverside. That expands a mix of one- and two-bedroom floorplans that have been well received by renters, the developer said, noting that it preleased nearly 20 percent of the final phase before being issued a certificate of occupancy.
Renters are now moving into the remaining apartments, which sit at the intersection of Franklin and South Fairview streets and roughly two blocks from NJ Transit light rail service.
“This is a very meaningful milestone for me and for our entire team,” said Michael J. Kokes, president of Kokes Properties. “I was first introduced to this project in 2016, and after purchasing the property in 2020, we remained committed to seeing it through to completion. To now see residents enjoying the community, the design and the amenities we thoughtfully put together is extremely rewarding.”
Designed by Sonnenfeld + Trocchia Architects, the new building occupies part of the site that was home to the historic William F. Taubel Hosiery Mill. The factory was once Riverside’s largest employer but ultimately closed, giving way to its demolition in 2006 and several years of redevelopment efforts by the township.
The newly completed community, which took shape through the COVID-19 crisis and in its aftermath, has a mix of unit types designed to meet a wide range of renter needs, the developer said. Amenities include a 3,100-square-foot clubhouse with a package room, a fitness center, flex space and outdoor gathering areas with a grilling station.
“This project required patience, persistence and a long-term commitment to Riverside,” Kokes added. “We faced real challenges along the way, but our team stayed focused. I am proud of our resilience, and I believe the finished community is something both Kokes Properties and the township can be proud of.”
The Brielle-based firm expects interest from renters to continue as the market enters the peak leasing season.
“The final building may be the strongest building in the community,” Kokes said. “We were able to take what we learned from the earlier phases and incorporate those lessons into the finished product. I’m tremendously proud of this building, and even more proud of the Kokes Properties team that helped bring it across the finish line.”
Construction underway at 190-unit rental project in Riverside, Kokes says
