The SilverLake apartment complex at 165 Belmont Ave. in Belleville — Courtesy: Dresdner Robin
By Tina Traster
Land-use consultancy Dresdner Robin is detailing its role in the recently completed, 232-unit luxury apartment complex in Belleville known as SilverLake.
Working on behalf of Klein Enterprises, the practice handled the civil engineering, site planning, landscape and lighting design for the property, which opened this spring at 165 Belmont Ave. and is nearly 90 percent leased. The parcel also includes 75,000 square feet reserved for green space and a dog park.
“Working with the Dresdner Robin team was a fantastic experience,” Klein Enterprises’ Matthew Allen said. “They exceeded our expectations throughout the development process and helped make our vision come to life.”
In a news release, Dresdner said the complex’s outdoor amenity and green space courtyard features private seating areas, landscaped planting beds and kitchen and grilling stations. To further encourage sustainability while also reducing impervious coverage, the firm designed custom green-roof carports that will include drought tolerant plantings such as sedums, which will absorb rainfall and reduce runoff.
Green roof technology also helps reduce heat and creates a more pleasant view from the apartments.
“Prior to the SilverLake apartments, housing in Belleville was already in high demand,” said Dresdner Robin’s Mark Vizzini, associate director of land development. “By utilizing sustainable design, precise construction, and engineering tailored to the community’s needs, we’re thrilled to have had the opportunity to further enhance the neighborhood and provide luxury and accessible living options for those interested in the area.”
SilverLake includes studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floorplans, with amenities such as a fitness center, a pet spa, a roof deck and a game room, among others. The five-story building also includes ground-floor commercial space, as well as an on-site supermarket, while it’s steps from Branch Brook Park and NJ Transit’s Silver Lake and Newark light rail stations.
Dresdner also noted that, in February, Belleville was granted $290,000 for a pedestrian-safety project surrounding the Silver Lake light rail station, which was partially due to the new apartment project. The township will use the funds for sidewalk replacements, installations of accessible corners, crosswalk-safety and lighting enhancements and transportation improvements for bike access.
Tina Traster is a freelance writer and the editor of Rockland County Business Journal. She is also a former business writer for Crain’s New York Business, real estate writer for the New York Post and staffer at the Bergen Record.
