A new 349-unit apartment property at 85 Bloomfield Ave. in Montville features a collection of homes ranging from studios to three-bedroom units, plus a host of upscale common spaces and amenities such as a two-story fitness center, a swimming pool with a sun deck, a putting green and expansive work-from-home areas, among others.— Courtesy: AvalonBay
By Joshua Burd
A new 349-unit apartment property has opened its doors in Montville, helping to transform a sprawling former junkyard property that was long an eyesore along Route 46.
Its developer, AvalonBay Communities Inc., joined local officials and other guests late last month to unveil the four-story midrise property at 85 Bloomfield Ave., following a project that is some seven years in the making. On display was a collection of homes ranging from studios to three-bedroom units, plus a host of upscale common spaces and amenities such as a two-story fitness center, a swimming pool with a sun deck, a putting green and expansive work-from-home areas, among others.
The property is quickly leasing up, the builder said, thanks in part to a large footprint that allows for both scenic views to the north and frontage on Route 46, which provides quick access to interstates 80 and 280. Equally important, though, is the fact that the project has reimagined a piece of the once-contaminated GI Auto Salvage Yard, where the real estate investment trust developed roughly seven acres while preserving another 20 acres.
The site also includes 52 units that are reserved as affordable housing, helping the municipality satisfy some of its state-mandated obligations.
“As we mark the completion of Avalon Montville, we’re not just unveiling a new community. We are celebrating the revitalization of a formerly underutilized site,” said Ron Ladell, a senior vice president with AvalonBay. “Transforming a 50-year-old salvage yard into what you see today was a team effort involving multiple integral stakeholder groups. We’re thrilled with the end result and the beautiful new housing options the community provides.”
The grand opening ceremony drew more than 120 guests, including members of a project team from Dynamic Engineering, Sills Cummis & Gross PC and others, with additional speeches from Montville Mayor Matthew Kayne, Montville Committeeman Rich Conklin, Deputy Chief of Staff Eric Brophy of Gov. Phil Murphy’s office and AvalonBay Vice President Matt Giammanco.
“We certainly envision that you’re going to have a full house and that the residents hopefully will become intertwined with our community, which has many amenities as well,” Kayne said. “I want to congratulate AvalonBay Communities for the work that they’ve done here. To all of the employees all of the different individuals that helped bring this together, thank you very much.”
