MHS Architecture’s portfolio of high-rise projects in New Jersey includes Liberty Harbor Development’s 33-story 88 Regent project in Jersey City. — Courtesy: MHS Architecture
By Joshua Burd
One of the state’s best-known design firms for multifamily and mixed-use projects has rebranded, as it builds on four decades of history and embraces larger-scale projects.
Based in Hoboken, Marchetto Higgins Stieve Architects announced Tuesday that it will now do business as MHS Architecture. The move comes as the practice has grown to more than 40 architects since its founding in 1981 by Dean Marchetto, boasting an award-winning portfolio that reflects its work in planning, urban design and strategic consulting.
The firm noted that, while its roots are in transit-oriented projects, smart growth developments and town centers for high-profile clients such as Russo Development, Hartz Mountain Industries, Mill Creek, Toll Brothers City Living and Kushner Real Estate Group, it’s now at the forefront of a new crop of high-rise buildings that are changing New Jersey’s skylines.
“Initially, it was a natural progression for our firm to get more involved with high-rise buildings which were being developed by clients that had worked with us for years,” said Marchetto, the founding principal. “What’s changed recently is the influx of developers from New York City and other markets who are acquiring sites here and relying on our local knowledge in addition to our expanding capabilities and expertise to get their projects designed, approved and built while staying true to their economic interests.”
MHS Architecture’s recent work includes several major projects in Jersey City, including China Construction of America’s 37-story Park | Shore, Liberty Harbor Development’s 33-story 88 Regent and The Hendrix, a 41-story tower developed by The Albanese Organization, Silverman and Liberty Harbor Development that opened earlier this year in the city’s Powerhouse Arts District, according to a news release. It also pointed to new assignments such as a 57-story tower for Tishman Speyer at 50-55 Hudson St., a 27-story building for Spitzer Enterprises LLC at 425 Summit Ave. and a 28-story tower for Hope Street Capital at 80 Journal Square, among others.
In Newark, which is undergoing its own building boom and has a recently approved master plan that will guide development for the next decade, an MHS-designed, 25-story tower is rising at 930 McCarter Highway in the downtown near the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.
Marchetto and the firm’s executive leadership team noted that it will remain active in designing walkable, downtown-living environments and building a sense of belonging and community throughout the state, the news release said. In the meantime, it has rebranded while promoting five architects — Vincent Marchetto to principal and Brian Ziff, Cody Miller, Daniel Nowak and Juan Rodriguez to associate.
“These skilled and passionate professionals have all contributed to the growth and success of the company,” said Michael Higgins, managing principal of MHS Architecture, “and we’re excited to recognize and support the amazing talent that will drive our firm’s advancement, boost the integration of emerging technologies into our design process and expand our body of work to include larger and more complex projects.”
