New Jersey Property Company LLC has secured planning board approval for a 44-unit apartment building at 420-426 William St. in East Orange, as depicted in this rendering. — Courtesy: Taylor Architecture & Design
By Joshua Burd
A developer is moving ahead with plans for a new 44-unit apartment building in East Orange after securing a key local entitlement for the project.
According to Taylor Architecture & Design, which is working on behalf of the builder, the East Orange planning board voted unanimously in early January to approve the proposal. The five-story structure is slated to rise at 420-426 William St., bringing a mix of one- and two-bedroom units to the arts and culture district of the city’s Transit Village District Redevelopment Area.
“The goal of the redevelopment area is to promote the principles of a ‘transit village’ with a variety of housing choices, to provide pedestrian-friendly streets and public rights-of-way through the design of a compact urban environment,” Taylor wrote, while it also aims “to minimize automobile use by maximizing the appeal of mass transit, to encourage reduced parking and share use parking solutions, to support the historic and architectural integrity of the community and to support local arts and culture.”
The building, which will have parking on the ground level, will boast oversized apartment layouts, recessed balconies, bike storage, a package room, a trash chute and flex space for use by the residents. Taylor Architecture & Design, a North Plainfield-based firm, crafted the project on behalf of New Jersey Property Company LLC, working alongside land use attorney Joseph Paparo of Porzio, Bromberg and Newman, civil engineer Richard Adelsohn of Frank Lehr & Associates and professional planner Jimmy Dumas.
“The building, designed by architect Brian M. Taylor and staff of Taylor Architecture & Design, marks a new direction for the firm as their first approved multifamily project in East Orange,” Taylor wrote. “The board members were thoughtful and supportive as they offered helpful input during testimony.”
