A rendering of the planned Nest Micro Apartments in Jersey City. — Courtesy: GRO Architects
By Joshua Burd
Developers have kicked off construction at what they say is the state’s first micro apartment building in New Jersey, while marking the latest project to move ahead in Jersey City.
Nest Micro Apartments on Wednesday broke ground at Academy Street between Summit and Baldwin avenues, located in the city’s quickly changing Journal Square section. With leasing slated to begin in August 2018, the property will offer 122 fully furnished studio units that are under 300 square feet, with rents starting at under $1,300.
The development team — Smart Living Development LLC, a venture of KSNY and Strategic Properties — marked the occasion with a groundbreaking that included city officials and representatives of construction management team a Hollister Construction Services.
“We’re excited to welcome Nest Apartments to Jersey City after seeing the success of this type of living product in cities appealing to young professionals like Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, and Washington D.C.,” Mayor Steven Fulop said. “We have a history of housing innovation in Jersey City, and as the home to the first micro apartments in New Jersey, we are the first to provide the type of choice that can enable a diverse population to enjoy our city at prices from the 1990s.”
Nest Micro touted its plans for apartments with a smart design and transformable furniture that maximizes every inch, creating homes that function like those twice the size. All residents of the building will have access to amenities such as a coffee lounge, on-site laundry facilities, storage units, a gym and others.
As part of the ceremony, the firm raised a flag for what it says is “the first outpost of Nest nation.”
“Nest provides the best values in apartment living in Jersey City today: affordability, proximity and community,” said Keith Schwebel, CEO of KSNY. “Today’s young professional is achieving success in the workforce before reaching the financial threshold to move out of their parents’ houses unless they want to live with multiple roommates.
“Nest Apartments are priced so that they can live autonomously, and with dignity, with a quick commute to work in Manhattan or other parts of New Jersey, within a vibrant Nest community”
The developers also noted that residents will be within walking distance to the Journal Square PATH station and transportation center and in a walkable neighborhood with other transportation options. Journal Square has also been a focal point for other developers recently, attracting new projects from firms such as Kushner Real Estate Group, Hartz Mountain Industries and Panepinto Properties.
“Jersey City’s Journal Square is the perfect location for micro apartments, offering cultural immersion in city centers, nearby to great dining and entertainment and outdoor activities,” said Ken Sato, CEO of Strategic Properties. “Along with our long list of amenities, we’re offering a community director facilitating curated gatherings on site to address residents’ need to be part of a community.
“But more importantly, the apartments are offered at an affordable rent within such close proximity to employment and entertainment centers of Manhattan as well as those in New Jersey, making it an extremely attractive proposition. Brooklyn’s great but with rents rivaling Manhattan, people are getting pushed farther and farther away. Journal Square is just 10 minutes from WTC and with Jersey City attracting more and more cool restaurants, it’s a great alternative at an affordable price.”
