A rendering of a 291-unit residential building on Radford Ferry Road in South Amboy, the first piece of a sweeping waterfront redevelopment in the city — Courtesy: BNE Real Estate
By Joshua Burd
BNE Real Estate has broken ground on a 291-unit residential building in South Amboy, the first piece of a sweeping waterfront redevelopment that will yield nearly 2,000 new apartments.
The developer on Friday joined local officials to mark the start of construction of the four-story building on Radford Ferry Road, part of a 55-acre parcel between the city’s train station and the Raritan Bay. Plans call for a summer 2022 delivery, paving the way for the multiphase, $500 million project known as the Manhattan Beach Club.
“Smart, well planned growth is a tremendous asset to our city,” South Amboy Mayor Fred Henry said. “The Manhattan Beach Club will transform vacant industrial land into a bayfront destination providing stable long-term revenue to benefit our residents, both new and old, for decades to come.”
BNE is also planning a second four-story apartment building at the site, according to a news release. Combined, the structures will include more than 500 luxury apartments with a mix of studio, one- and two-bedroom units.
The firm also noted that the complex will be within walking distance of the train, ferry and downtown. Plans call for a long list of amenities such as entertainment lounges, a co-working lounge with private offices and conference rooms and a commercial-grade fitness center, along with an outdoor swimming pool with cabana seating, indoor and outdoor bars and grills.
“South Amboy’s current and previous administrations have done a remarkable job in revitalizing the city’s waterfront over the past two decades, delivering a mix of residential, commercial and recreational uses throughout the city,” said Jonathan Schwartz, a partner with Livingston-based BNE. “We share their vision for unlocking the value of this critical waterfront asset and transforming it into a thriving, well-connected neighborhood that will also benefit downtown South Amboy.”
Manhattan Beach Club will ultimately include 1,875 new homes, along with the construction of a long-awaited ferry terminal, making it the only state-designated transit village offering both rail and ferry service, the news release said. Earlier this week, U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, whose district includes South Amboy, announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation will grant $5.3 million to the city for the proposed 20,000-square-foot facility.
The terminal will operate up to three ferries between the city’s Raritan Bay waterfront and downtown Manhattan, the news release said. Located adjacent to the Manhattan Beach Club, the facility will also include 700 parking spaces and a second-story space for a restaurant.
BNE announced the project Friday while touting the shops, restaurants and family-owned businesses that line South Amboy’s Broadway corridor. The city is also home to Raritan Bay Waterfront Park, a 114-acre county property with athletic fields, walkways, a playground, a nature study area, gazebos and a landmark pavilion with sweeping views of the bay.
NJ Transit commuters will have a ride of about 50 minutes to New York Penn Station, while the location provides quick access to the Garden State Parkway, Route 9 and Route 35.
