The Nell at 100 South Washington Ave. in Dunellen includes a 9,300-square-foot freestanding retail building. — Courtesy: Prism Capital Partners
By Joshua Burd
Prism Capital Partners has earned one of this year’s New Jersey Future Smart Growth Awards for a redevelopment project that brought new apartments and retail space to a former industrial property in downtown Dunellen.
The Nutley-based firm announced the accolade last week, noting that it will accept the honor on Oct. 22 at New Jersey Future’s annual celebration event in New Brunswick. The award follows last summer’s lease-up of the property’s 252 apartments, which occupy the site alongside a 9,300-square-foot, freestanding retail building at 100 South Washington Ave., bringing new life to the former Art Color industrial facility in Dunellen.
The project, designed by Spiezle Architectural Group, is one of six 2024 Smart Growth Award winners. Prism and Spiezle will accept the award, which honors projects, plans and policies across the state that demonstrate a commitment to sensible and equitable growth, redevelopment and infrastructure investments, during the event at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center.
“The Nell is a prime example of how developers, their architect partners and municipal governments can work together to benefit communities for the long term,” said Prism’s Robert Fourniadis, its senior vice president for residential. “Prism and the borough of Dunellen worked diligently to bring this project to life. Redevelopment of complex sites like this can only succeed through trust, collaboration, patience and shared goals.”
Located directly across from the Dunellen train station, The Nell occupies what was once an obsolete infill property. Prism aimed for the project to become an extension of the downtown, noting that it also contributes to the borough’s affordable housing obligation with 58 apartments reserved for low- and moderate-income families.
Meantime, the new freestanding retail building fronting on South Washington Avenue has attracted tenants including Blue Foundry Bank and Kessler Rehabilitation Center, which are open for business, according to a news release. Prism has active interest in the remaining retail space, touting it as an opportunity suited for uses such as an independent coffeehouse or local convenience store.
According to the Spiezle team, creating a retail “front door” at The Nell was a key design element in effectively extending Dunellen’s downtown neighborhood to the site. Residential building placement close to the street creates a sense of close-in connection, while the centralized clubhouse fosters an environment of shared community.
“The Nell stands as a testimony to the immense and diverse positive impact smart growth can have on a community,” said Spiezle’s Angelo Alberto, director of urban planning. “Through the careful infill of new multifamily residential and retail within minutes of a train station, parks, a library and retail main street, The Nell has completely transformed an abandoned downtown site into a beautiful and thriving extension of the historic community of Dunellen.”
Prism’s professional team for the project also included Dynamic Engineering Consultants PC and Menlo Engineering Associates. Additionally, the redevelopment site has 130 for-sale townhouses developed by K. Hovnanian Homes.
