A development at 431-441 North Ave. in Dunellen would bring 62 new apartments and commercial space to a site roughly a quarter-mile from the borough’s train station. — Rendering courtesy: Taylor Architecture & Design
By Joshua Burd
Dunellen could soon welcome another 62 apartments to its central business district as part of a project that the borough’s planning board approved late last month.
According to Taylor Architecture & Design, part of the professional team for developer 1879 Morris Associates LLC, the proposed building at 431-441 North Ave. would transform a series of commercial properties. The new building, which could start construction in mid-2025, would include 48 one-bedroom units, 10 two-bedroom units and four three-bedroom units, with nine of the homes reserved as affordable housing.
Plans also call for covered parking, first-floor lounges, storage for renters, bicycle parking, a package room and a second-level amenity deck, along with a design that pays homage to the borough’s heritage and to the train station roughly a quarter-mile away.
“The design of the exterior of the building respected Dunellen’s history as a transit village,” Taylor Architecture wrote in a news release. “Through the balanced use of warm brick masonry, stucco and storefront commercial glazing, the building activates the streetscape and continues the promenade of retail and restaurants already established in the area.
“A prominent central tower with bracketed hip roof and clock tower harkens back to the railroad inspired architecture that Dunellen continues to preserve. The tower, like the streetscape façade, will be well lit in the evening to celebrate the transit-inspired design.”
Dunellen’s planning board approved the proposal on Sept. 23 as part of its ongoing downtown redevelopment, marking the second Taylor Architecture-designed project approved last month. The firm’s Italo Teixeria, a borough resident, designed the three-story building, while President Brian Taylor presented it to officials.
The project team also includes land use attorney Joseph Paparo of Porzio, Bromberg & Newman PC and civil engineer and professional planner Joseph Sparone of Dynamic Engineering PC, as well as Dynamic’s Robert Colucco, Tory Bingaman, Conner Hughes and Craig Peregoy.
Dunellen planning board OKs 50-unit rental project downtown, Taylor Architecture says
