NJ Transit’s two-story Lackawanna Ferry Terminal in Hoboken has 50,000 square feet of available space that it envisions as a contemporary destination for marquee events and other uses.
By Joshua Burd
NJ Transit is seeking a new anchor tenant for the 117-year-old Lackawanna Ferry Terminal that it’s restoring as part of its sweeping Hoboken Connect redevelopment project with LCOR.
The agency this week said it’s forging ahead with its update of the two-story facility off Hudson Place, which has 50,000 square feet of available space that it envisions as a contemporary destination for marquee events and other uses. It’s now looking for an anchor that to activate the building — creating an amenity for both commuters and the Hoboken community, while also generating a dependable revenue stream for NJ Transit — leveraging its exceptional visibility and prime positioning within one of New Jersey’s busiest transit hubs.
The agency envisions the second floor as a space to host community, cultural or commercial functions, but will consider alternative proposed uses, according to a news release. It is inviting qualified parties to register to receive the forthcoming request for qualifications and proposals when it is released later this year, noting that registrants will receive high-level details of the offering, including access to a virtual tour of the space at a dedicated website.
“Through the release of this RFQ/P, we expect to find a partner who shares our grand vision for the possibilities this unique and historic space provides to transform and revitalize the Hoboken waterfront district,” NJ Transit CEO and president Kris Kolluri said. “We are seeking an operator with the ability to not just manage, but to create a singular destination for top-tier events accessible to people throughout the metropolitan area and beyond.”
Built in 1907 and designed by architect Kenneth Murchison, the Beaux Arts-style building features ornate detailing, grand public spaces and architectural elements reflective of early 20th century elegance, the news release said. Those details are now preserved and enhanced with modern amenities by NJ Transit and the State of New Jersey’s ongoing restoration.
Once completed, the renovated ferry terminal building will feature 35,988 square-feet of leasable space on the second floor with an A-3 occupancy classification for assembly purposes and a maximum main hall occupancy of 2,084 people, the agency said. The first floor has 14,973 square feet of leasable space, also with an A-3 occupancy classification, with a maximum main hall occupancy of 1,032 people.
The terminal building is a central piece of the Hoboken Connect project that will revitalize and redevelop key parcels around the historic transit hub. LCOR is NJ Transit’s master developer, with plans calling for a 386-unit apartment building that will include 20 percent affordable housing, a new high-end office tower and reimagined public spaces, including Warrington Plaza and Hudson Place.
The project will also improve transportation and pedestrian accessibility with a new bus terminal and bike and pedestrian facilities, NJ Transit noted. Many of those phases are well underway after breaking ground in recent years, advancing a plan that is some two decades in the making.
LCOR, NJ Transit seek to reopen historic ferry building as part of high-profile Hoboken project
