A plan by Gateway Merchant Banking would bring 1,005 apartments, 70,190 square feet of retail and commercial space and more than an acre and a half of public space to the former Orange Memorial Hospital property at 188 South Essex Ave. in Orange. — Rendering courtesy: Gateway Merchant Banking
By Joshua Burd
A developer has secured a key local approval for a project that would bring more than 1,000 apartments and commercial space to the long-shuttered Orange Memorial Hospital property.
The firm, Gateway Merchant Banking, said it expects to begin construction later this year on the $350 million phased redevelopment at 188 South Essex Ave., following unanimous site plan approval from the City of Orange planning board. That would include 1,005 rental homes ranging from studios to three-bedroom units — up to 20 percent of which will be reserved as affordable housing — with the potential to also bring senior and student housing to the site.
Plans also call for 70,190 square feet of retail and commercial space, with 25,000 square feet earmarked for municipal office space, plus more than an acre and a half of public space that would anchor what Gateway described as a family-friendly destination.
“Not only was Orange Memorial Hospital an important historical institution in the Orange community — it was also a statewide treasure,” Mayor Dwayne Warren said. “It was a leader in training opportunities for Black nurses and was the birthplace for leaders in every field. All eyes are on this transformational project as we anxiously await its revitalization after closing two decades ago.
“Gateway’s plans for the property demonstrate its understanding of the site’s historical significance and potential for the future. The redevelopment of the Orange Memorial site will be enhanced by citizen input and the thoughtful building plans. The final project will stimulate growth and become an integral part of the residential and commercial life of our city.”
According to a news release, the new residential space would include amenities such as a rooftop pool with cabanas and gardens, a sky lounge, fitness rooms, flexible event spaces, secure, access-controlled package rooms and ample parking spaces, including 200 electric vehicle charging stations. Renters would also have access to a host of public-facing amenities, such as an outdoor ice skating and roller-skating rink, a public plaza with an open lawn and swinging benches, terraced platform seating, a restaurant with outdoor seating and children’s play areas.
Meantime, Gateway said it will look to preserve parts of the hospital, which is on the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places, in part by restoring and repurposing Mary Austen Hall. The building, the last standing structure from Orange Memorial’s historic nursing school, will become Orange’s new City Hall.
The developer also plans to preserve the Old Boiler House building, the news release said. Additional plans call for leasing most of the commercial space to local businesses.
“This is not just another real estate deal,” said Terrence Murray, co-founder and managing partner at Gateway. “As someone who lives minutes away and calls South Orange home, I understand the magnitude of this project, not only for the City of Orange but for Essex County and all of New Jersey.
“I am deeply committed to making the redevelopment of Orange Memorial Hospital a community-centric initiative. Every decision I’ve made, and continue to make, is with a clear focus on the impact this revitalization will have on the city’s current and future residents.”
Gateway noted that the property, located in the Central Orange Redevelopment Plan Area, is 30 minutes by train to Manhattan. That’s a key feature for Gateway, which has invested in, developed or co-developed more than 2,000 apartment units across 2.5 million square feet of mixed-use, mixed-income and student housing assets in 13 U.S. markets.
