Alpine Residential has topped out the two-building, 500-unit Scholars Village project at 225 Phillip St. in Jersey City. — Courtesy: Alpine
By Joshua Burd
Alpine Residential has completed vertical construction for Scholars Village, a project that will bring 500 apartments to the high-profile SciTech Scity development in Jersey City.
Company executives joined tradespeople from KL Masters Construction Co. recently to mark the milestone at 225 Phillip St., part of a site that is adjacent to the Liberty Science Center. On display were the steel frames of the twin 12-story buildings, which will be connected by a one-story lobby base with 4,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space.
When complete, the project will be a key component of the 30-acre innovation campus that aims to connect scientists, tech companies and students in a fully integrated live-work-learn environment alongside the existing cultural institution, according to a news release. Plans also call for Edge Works, a business incubation hub, as well as a public magnet STEM academy known as Liberty Science Center High School that will be operated by the Hudson County Schools of Technology.
Another component, Public Commons, will span three acres of outdoor activations that foster exploration, creativity, collaboration and innovation.
“The topping out of Scholars Village is a testament to the skill and dedication of our entire team,” said William Rosato, managing partner of Alpine Residential. “This milestone brings us closer to delivering a modern residential community that will play a key role in the emerging SciTech Scity. We’re grateful to Mayor Fulop, the city of Jersey City and Liberty Science Center for their vision and leadership in bringing SciTech Scity to life, and we’re excited to contribute to its ongoing development.”
The science center chose Alpine Residential in 2021 to develop Scholars Village, which was designed by GRT Architects and Ismael Leyva Architects. According to the firm, the complex will include a mix of floorplans ranging from studios to three-bedroom layouts with views of the Manhattan skyline, Jersey City, the Statue of Liberty and Liberty State Park.
Amenities and social spaces will include a rooftop with a pool, a lounge area, grilling stations, water gardens and landscape gardens, the news release said. Inside, there will be a high-end fitness center with a CrossFit room, coworking and conference room space, a demonstration kitchen, a children’s playroom and a pet spa.
SciTech Scity and Scholars Village will also become part of the city’s burgeoning Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood, where Alpine in recent years has delivered nearly 1,000 apartments and ground-floor retail across five mixed-use buildings.
“The Bergen-Lafayette Collection has enriched the area and community with the introduction of brand new residential homes, along with highly regarded dining options and retail conveniences,” said Todd Schefler, an Alpine managing partner. “SciTech City and Scholars Village will elevate Bergen-Lafayette’s profile, establishing the neighborhood as a destination for innovation, culture, and modern living. We’re excited to mark this important milestone.”
South Oxford Management, Alpine’s affiliated management company, will direct the leasing and management of Scholars Village.
