Editor’s Note
Taking cues
Newark’s dedicated blue-chip employers and anchor institutions have virtually all expanded or made commitments to grow, leading to billions of dollars’ worth of new commercial development. It’s a major reason why developers believe the time is right to, once and for all, bring new market-rate apartments to Newark’s central business district.
Good vibes
As you’ll read in this month’s cover story, local leaders in Red Bank are increasingly open to the idea of redevelopment and smart growth in their community. The 2.2-square-mile borough has long held the cachet of towns such as Montclair and Morristown, but new mixed-use projects have been few and far between.
Breaking through
As you’ll read in this month’s cover story, Stanbery Development Co. has spent more than four years navigating local politics and state regulations in its quest to redevelop a vacant office complex in Parsippany. But the firm is now on a path toward fulfilling its vision, which calls for a mixed-use, downtown-style development anchored by high-end restaurants and retail.
Hoping for growth
New Jersey has only scratched the surface in the co-working and shared office space sector, despite the fact that it is experiencing rapid growth in New York City and other major markets. Fortunately, we’re hearing that the Garden State is poised to grow its share. The industry’s biggest name, WeWork, has ramped up its search for space in New Jersey over the past year, which means its competitors may not be far behind. The requirements have the potential to further strengthen top submarkets such as the Hudson waterfront, while providing a needed boost in areas where vacancy remains high.
Healthy competition
It’s hard to believe that more than two years have passed since we launched Real Estate NJ with what I felt was a compelling cover story: Foreign investors were making a splash in New Jersey and paying impressive prices for properties across the state. That trend has seemingly slowed since then, at least when it comes to high-profile deals involving trophy properties. But the good news is that New Jersey is still drawing investors from beyond the state — whether it’s New York, Chicago or the West Coast — who are entering the market for the first time.
