A rendering of the redesigned lobby at 95 Columbus, a 680,000-square-foot office tower in Jersey City — Courtesy: Miller Hare
By Joshua Burd
Columbia Property Trust has completed the first piece of a plan to overhaul its 680,000-square-foot office building in the heart of downtown Jersey City.
Working with the Spector Group, a global architecture firm, the company said it has transformed and modernized the lobby at 95 Columbus with the addition of sleek gray floors, a double-height glass entryway and 35-foot-high ceilings for a dramatic arrival experience. The renovation also includes new concrete panel walls with accents such as a lighting design and a dark gray reception desk, along with new metal cladding, integrated lighting and curtainwall to highlight the entrance of the building.
Columbia and Spector Group are now starting the second phase of renovations at the tower, which sits alongside the Grove Street PATH station. Those plans call for creating a lounge area in the lobby with new seating options and WiFi access for building occupants and their guests, along with greenery and other biophilic elements.
“With our capital improvement program at 95 Columbus, we set out to create Jersey City’s most contemporary, productive and inspired work environment, and a place where 21st century creative companies can thrive,” said David Cheikin, Columbia’s senior vice president for asset management and leasing for Columbia. “We believe 95 Columbus will be a magnet for forward-looking companies seeking a premier office experience with the convenience and energy of its prime Grove Street neighborhood location, as well as its unparalleled easy transit access to suburban neighborhoods around the area.”
SLIDESHOW: Upgrades at 95 Columbus
Renderings courtesy: Miller Hare/Columbia Property Trust; Building exterior courtesy: Alex Arnett of Alex the Photo Guy LLC
Columbia said it was pursuing other upgrades that prioritize health and wellness, including a high-grade air filtration system and a new automated digital access system with destination dispatch elevators and portal entries, allowing for a seamless street-to-office touchless experience for office workers, the news release said. It’s also constructing an expansive bike storage room, bathrooms and shower facilities.
The full renovation is expected to be completed this fall.
In detailing the upgrades, Columbia said it has tapped Cushman & Wakefield to market available space at the property, including 200,000 square feet across five contiguous floors. The brokerage team is also marketing ground-floor retail spaces, which are being redesigned as part of the project’s second phase.
The investment will look to capitalize on the building’s location among Grove Street’s many dining and retail offerings, along with its transportation options. Aside from the PATH station entrance directly in front of the property, occupants can also access bus lines and Citi Bike docks across the street and walk to light rail and ferry service.
Additionally, Columbia recently collaborated with local artists and students from the Jersey City Global Charter School to complete a series of murals at 95 Columbus, news release said. The artwork, which spells out “Love Yourself Jersey City,” is designed to bring additional color and life to the neighborhood.
