Clarus Maplewood — Courtesy: JMF Properties
By Joshua Burd
JMF Properties has achieved a coveted certification focused on health and wellness for its new mixed-use residential and retail building in downtown Maplewood.
The developer announced Tuesday that the property, Clarus Maplewood, was awarded the gold-level WELL certification by the International WELL Building Institute. As a result, the boutique complex is the first residential community in New Jersey to achieve WELL certification and only the 13th in the world, JMF said, touting a design meant to maximize the comfort, health and wellbeing of its residents.
Clarus is also the first residential community in the U.S. to achieve WELL certification at the gold level, according to a news release. To do so, it met 100 percent of the preconditions set forth by the IWBI and submitted to a recent evaluation in seven categories of building performance: air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort and mind.
“We designed every individual detail of Clarus Maplewood with the goal of achieving WELL certification and we are thrilled to be officially recognized for all of our work,” said Joe Forgione, founder and principal of JMF Properties. “This isn’t just a plaque on the wall, either. This is an active standard that will be evaluated annually by inspectors. We are committed to maintaining that standard year in and year out and continuing to offer the highest quality homes to our residents.”
Clarus opened in October 2017, offering a location next to the Maplewood train station. Residences have high-end finishes and appliances with access to amenities such as a fitness center, yoga and spin studio, package center, resident lounge and others features.
Meantime, the property’s street-level retail space is home to Starbucks, BCB Bank, Abby Haliti Salon and The Cassidy Bar + Kitchen.
JMF noted that the WELL Building Standard was created through seven years of rigorous research and development with leading physicians, scientists and industry professionals. It is a performance-based certification that marries best practices in design and construction with evidence-based scientific research.
“Our homes are the most important spaces we have,” IWBI Chairman and CEO Rick Fedrizzi said. “We congratulate Clarus Maplewood on this significant achievement and applaud its deep understanding of how where we live can enhance our lives.”
