The Connell Co. joined local officials and its project team on Oct. 15 to break ground on RT600, a 149-unit apartment building at The Park in Berkeley Heights.
By Joshua Burd
Construction is set to begin on a second apartment building at The Park in Berkeley Heights, one of several projects that are underway as part of a plan to create a new mixed-use, downtown-style corridor at the 185-acre property along Interstate 78.
The Connell Co., the campus’ developer and longtime owner, welcomed a crowd on Wednesday to break ground on the 149-unit structure that will rise between two office buildings and an Embassy Suites by Hilton. The project will also take shape directly across from an 11-story, 179-unit rental tower that’s slated to hit the market in February and open just a few months later to help launch The Park’s residential phase alongside a new 60-acre shopping, dining and hospitality district.
Excitement for the projects — and for the 60,000-square-foot entertainment building that is also under construction nearby — was evident during the late-morning ceremony.
“The thought that we have is that it’s not about building spaces — it’s about building community,” said Shane Connell, executive vice president of The Connell Co. “And we no longer want to be viewed as an address in Berkeley Heights, but a part of Berkeley Heights. So everything we’re doing here is about complementing what people do when they’re here and people who live near us.”
Known as RT Residences, the apartment buildings are part of the firm’s $500 million redevelopment and expansion of the former Connell Corporate Park, creating a destination neighborhood alongside its 1.5 million square feet of office space. Minno & Wasko Architects and Planners is the architect of record for the new phases, working alongside designer David M. Sullivan to craft what will be a mix of upscale studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom homes with upscale amenities that will make up RT500 and RT600.
Aside from the buildings’ amenity spaces — which will include resort-style pools, entertainment lounges, game rooms, coworking spaces and modern fitness centers — residents will have quick access to everything else that The Park has to offer. That includes the new entertainment building that will anchor The District at The Park, which broke ground last fall and will feature a brewery, a steakhouse, duckpin bowling and other offerings, as well as a new 20,000-square-foot wellness spa known as Bathhouse that is rising alongside RT500.
As Connell noted, none of it would be possible without officials in Berkeley Heights agreeing to rezone the property, as he praised the township “for believing in us and the vision of what we’re doing here — and having the confidence that we’ll deliver on it.” He also thanked several members of The Connell Co., including John Dionis, managing director of real estate and development, for spearheading the project, as well as a lending team with Wells Fargo, Minno & Wasko and general contractor SOCO Construction.
Mayor Angie Devanney added: “We’re a small town, and it takes a lot of hard work to do this. But the vision for this park is remarkable, so I give The Connell Company and the family a lot of credit for having the vision and seeing it through. … We’re incredibly proud and we’re excited for the future, so thank you.”
Connell, meantime, is fielding interest for additional retail space that could attract a national grocer, upscale restaurants, cafés and other tenants.
Other recent milestones at The Park include the renovation of the original office spaces to create a modern hospitality-centric work resort. Connell has all but leased up that segment with a series of recent deals such as a 78,740-square-foot commitment by Haleon, the consumer health company, as well as major transactions with Blackstone and Kennedys.
