An international design firm is eyeing continued growth in New Jersey after opening a new office in Madison in 2014 — a move that re-established its presence here — having grown its team from one to 32 while leading projects for a host of blue-chip corporate clients.
Making a market: Developers, city officials look ahead as renters arrive in downtown Newark
A new stock of luxury, market-rate apartments is beginning to take shape in downtown Newark, where stakeholders hope to attract the type of rental population that can create a 24-hour, seven-day neighborhood that has long eluded the central business district.
Developers say they’re encouraged by the early returns, but are preparing for the market to be tested by larger-scale projects and an influx of additional units. City officials are also preparing for what could be a dramatic uptick in interest from builders — which they will have to balance with public policy goals such as expanding affordable housing for Newark residents.
What drives the strong demand from multifamily investors?
At first glance, one might assume that new, luxury apartments are receiving the most interest from investors. While a steady pace of construction can be seen in Northern New Jersey with an average of 5,900 apartments delivered annually, this product is trading infrequently. The majority of investors focused on new construction are institutions that prefer a “build-to-core” strategy over asset acquisition and non-institutional players are unwilling to pay the premium for new development. Thus, the majority of new luxury construction is being held long term.
