Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla recently joined representatives of Bijou Properties to open the first phase of a new park in western Hoboken. — Courtesy: Bijou Properties
By Joshua Burd
Local officials have debuted the first piece of a new park on Hoboken’s western edge, which will complement a 14-story residential complex slated to open later this year.
The developer, Bijou Properties, joined Mayor Ravi Bhalla recently to unveil the new resiliency park at 7th and Jackson streets. The initial installation includes a children’s playground, a one-acre green space designed for active and passive recreation uses, a modern 6,835-square-foot community gymnasium and infrastructure to capture more than 450,000 gallons of rainwater to reduce flooding.
A second phase expected to open in late summer will include a one-acre public plaza with step seating and tilted lawn panel, play sculpture and a large plaza to accommodate vendors and seasonal markets.
Bijou Properties teamed with joint venture partner Interstate Real Estate Corp. to build and donate the two-acre park. This fall, the developers plan to launch leasing at the accompanying 424-unit rental building, 7 Seventy House, at 770 Jackson St.
“We take pride in creating great neighborhoods, not just buildings, so we are thrilled to celebrate the opening of the resiliency park, playground, and public gymnasium as part of our award-winning 7 Seventy House project,” said Larry Bijou, managing partner of Bijou Properties. “I congratulate and thank Mayor Bhalla, former Mayor Zimmer, the City Council, staff, and everyone whose partnership was critical to making this project a success.”
Designed by Marchetto Higgins Stieve Architect, 7 Seventy House will include 90,000 square feet of upscale amenities, including a penthouse pool and roof deck, and 25,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space. The adjoining park space is the latest in what Bijou says is a long list of givebacks and community benefits that the developer has included in its development projects in the city.
“We are pleased to partner with Bijou Properties in delivering the park and gymnasium to the wonderful City of Hoboken,” said Peter Palandjian, chairman and CEO of Intercontinental. “Through this development project, we have created a significant number of union labor jobs, partnered with Hoboken to create better infrastructure and added spectacular greenspace to the neighborhood. Congratulations to all those involved in bringing these important outstanding amenities to the community.”
