Representatives of Rockefeller Group and Korman Communities hosted local officials and others on June 15 to cut the ceremonial ribbon at AVE Florham Park. — Courtesy: Rockefeller Group
By Joshua Burd
Developers have unveiled a new 256-unit, flexible stay residential community in Florham Park, marking the latest piece of a high-profile redevelopment project in the Morris County suburb.
Rockefeller Group and Korman Communities gathered late last week to celebrate the opening of the community, AVE Florham Park, at what’s known as The Green at Florham Park. Geared toward business travelers and individuals in transition, the complex is the first residential component of a complex that includes chemical giant BASF’s North American headquarters, Summit Medical Group and the New York Jets training complex.
The 268-acre campus is more than a decade in the making, serving to redevelop a large swath of a former ExxonMobil research complex. AVE Florham Park features a mix of furnished one- and two-bedroom suites and unfurnished residences with high-end fixtures and finishes.
“AVE Florham Park is truly the culmination of decades of experience in providing flexible-stay accommodations — it takes what we do to the highest level,” said Lea Anne Welsh, chief operating officer of Korman Communities and president of AVE. “We listened to our clients and our residents, and AVE Florham Park was designed and developed with the end user in mind — the furnished suite resident and the discerning renter by choice — in regard to flow, suite design, and amenities offered.
“We are so excited to bring this one-of-a-kind offering to the dynamic Morris County market.”
The community also features 65,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor amenity spaces, including courtyards with an architect-designed, stainless steel pool with in-lay lounge chairs and nearby cabanas, fire pits and recreation, according to a news release. Residents also have access to a 24-hour business center, conference room, media theatre, a spa room and a 24-hour resident service team.
The fitness center at AVE Florham Park offers a cardio room, a weight room and a fitness studio, all with modern equipment, fitness programs and televisions.
Along with a recently completed office for Summit Medical Group, Rockefeller is also developing a new Summit Medical Group MD Anderson Cancer Center at The Green. Plans also call for a 425-unit active adult residential community to be developed by Pulte Homes on 100 acres at the eastern portion of the site and the ARCHER Hotel Florham Park, which is slated for completion by the end of 2017.
“I’m honored to officially welcome AVE to Florham Park, and I’m excited to usher this new type of community into our borough,” Florham Park Mayor Mark Taylor said. “I’m extremely proud of all that’s been accomplished in Florham Park over the past year, and this project is a testament to our residents, who’ve demonstrated a willingness to embrace smart, forward-thinking development.”
Rockefeller Group also recently announced that it was seeking a user for what would be an additional 300,000 square feet of Class A office space at the park. The Morristown-based firm can now offer a high-end flexible stay community that will no doubt serve as an added amenity to the companies on the campus and in the area.
Korman also has AVE communities in Clifton, Union and Somerset, along with several others in suburban Philadelphia and the San Francisco Bay area.
“As our vision for The Green at Florham Park continues to take shape, we’re thrilled to officially unveil AVE Florham Park, which brings to the campus a residential offering unlike anything that’s currently in this area,” said Clark Machemer, senior vice president and regional development officer for Rockefeller Group’s New Jersey/Pennsylvania office. “Given the demand for this type of community in Morris County, we’re confident that AVE Florham Park will become a prime destination for individuals who, during a transitional or extended-travel period, are seeking an upscale residence that offers a sense of community.”
