The exterior of the new SoJo Spa Club in Edgewater — Courtesy: SoJo Spa Club
By Joshua Burd
A new high-end, 240,000-square-foot spa has opened its doors in Edgewater, completing the redevelopment of another piece of the former Alcoa factory site along the Hudson River.
The SoJo Spa Club, which is marketed as a “unique rejuvenating urban resort,” welcomed its first customers on Friday. According to published reports, the seven-story resort and hotel building is owned by Edgewater developer Fred Daibes, who has leased the space to a retired restaurateur that developed the business.
Sitting at 660 River Road, the facility has views of the Manhattan skyline and features a rooftop infinity pool, a 170-foot-long foot massage path and an outdoor hydrotherapy pool, according to a news release. Other amenities include 10 sauna and therapy rooms, outdoor hot tubs, cafés and a restaurant, along with a full floor of family-friendly amenities.
“We have taken some of the most coveted natural therapies from around the world and have made it possible to experience them in one marvelous location,” Atif Youssef, SoJo Spa Club’s general manager, said in a prepared statement. “You simply won’t find this variety of international influence and combination of amenities anywhere else in the area.”
Daibes built the property on part of the site that once housed the Alcoa factory, a sprawling industrial landmark that closed decades ago and gave way to several failed redevelopment attempts over the years. The site, just south of the Edgewater post office, also is home to the Avalon at Edgewater complex.
A report last week by The Record said Daibes spent $4 million to $5 million on the building’s construction, but the business owner “spent significantly” more to create the spa. The operator, E. Rae Joe, said he was seeking customers from both northern New Jersey and Manhattan.
SoJo Spa Club offers both daily admission passes and annual memberships, with plans to open 32 hotel guest rooms this spring. It is the first in New Jersey to partner with ESPA, a global spa operator.
“Found in leading spas around the world, ESPA’s luxurious products and natural treatments blend harmoniously with The SPA at SoJo Spa Club,” said Sandra Sadowski, ESPA director of operations for the Americas. “ESPA is proud to be affiliated with spas of distinction, and this is a uniquely appointed and breathtaking urban resort like no other.”