Pop-up pet photo studios are part of the new “Bark Buildings” pet amenity program at Bay 151, Kushner Real Estate Group’s new luxury apartment community in Bayonne. — Photo by Alyssa Ki/Courtesy: KRE
By Joshua Burd
Kushner Real Estate Group has expanded its partnership with a pet amenity and service company, bringing the platform to its new luxury apartment complex in Bayonne.
According to the developer, Bark Buildings will provide a range of dog- and cat-focused perks and programs meant to enhance the lifestyle of residents and their pets at Bay 151, at 151 Centre St., where KRE has completed two of three phases that will ultimately yield 625 units. Those services include access to a pet concierge, human-grade dog treats in the lobby, special pet welcome packages and a custom microsite where residents can create pet profiles and share community news.
The announcement, which comes six months after the launch of preleasing at the project’s 213-unit second phase, marks Bark Buildings’ first New Jersey location outside its birthplace of Jersey City. The company currently serves more than a dozen residential buildings in Jersey City, including KRE’s luxury rental portfolio, and has grown nationally to cities like Nashville, Washington D.C., Austin and San Diego since its founding in 2016.
“We’re excited to expand the many the pet-friendly amenities we offer at Bay 151 by becoming Bayonne’s first ‘Bark Building,’ ” said Mary Cricco, a regional leasing manager with KRE Group. “Bay 151 is attracting residents who want to live a well-connected, amenity-rich lifestyle on the Bayonne waterfront, and for many of them, the pet-friendly atmosphere is a big part of their decision to live here. Bark Buildings will be a great addition to the community.”
Bark Buildings will host events at Bay 151 such as pop-up photo studios for pets, dog park takeovers and parties, providing a chance for social interaction among residents and their companions.
As part of the new amenity offering, KRE Group and Bark Buildings are installing new signage with pet parenting tips and information on pet etiquette, according to a news release. Residents will also be able to contact Bay 151’s pet concierge for information on local daycare and dog-walking providers, behavior and training advice, product recommendations and pet adoption assistance.
“KRE Group already does such a great job of hosting community-oriented events like food truck festivals and generally makes each of their communities a fun place to live,” said Danit Zivan, Bark Buildings’ co-founder and chief operating officer. “Bark Buildings is another component that takes it to the next level, places a bigger emphasis on pet owners, and redefines what ‘pet-friendly’ means.”
Designed by Minno & Wasko Architects and Planners, Bay 151 is steps from Bayonne’s 45th Street light rail station and sits among a growing list of restaurant, retail and entertainment options in the city. The newest phase, which follows the successful lease-up of the first 200 units in 2020, also includes an expansion of the community’s social and recreational amenity space to more than 65,000 square feet.
Those offerings include a modern fitness center and an outdoor deck with dining areas, grilling stations and a resort-style swimming pool, the news release said. Residents also have access to a library and co-working space, a business center with individual workstations and a billiards room with club seating, among others.
At full build-out, Bay 151 will comprise 625 apartments and 10,000 square feet of retail space on a scenic, 16-acre property surrounded by New York Harbor. KRE and other developers have sought to capitalize on the city’s access to the New Jersey Turnpike, Interstate 78 and the Holland Tunnel, along with open space offerings and national retailers.
KRE marks expansion of Bayonne project with launch of 213-unit rental property
