A rendering of Village Center of Rochelle Park, a redevelopment project by Tulfra Real Estate at 120 West Passaic St. in Rochelle Park, which will include an 816-unit self-storage building, 160 apartments, retail and open space — Courtesy: Tulfra
By Joshua Burd
Tulfra Real Estate has started construction at the site of a self-storage facility in Rochelle Park, part of a plan to redevelop a former AT&T data center site near Route 17.
Located at 120 West Passaic St., the 113,000-square-foot facility will feature 816 units, modern security and year-round climate control, the development and investment firm said Wednesday. The project will be part of what’s known as Village Center of Rochelle Park.
“Self-storage facilities continue to be an excellent way to bring jobs and tax revenue to properties otherwise sitting empty,” said Sonny Jumani, president and partner with Tulfra. “Demand for self-storage remains high in the area. The population count is over 225,000 within a three-mile radius, plus there are a large number of commercial and residential projects in our market. We are excited that construction on this project is finally underway.”
The firm, which is based in the township, is building the complex with a $10.3 million construction loan from Hamilton-based First Bank. Tulfra acquired the former AT&T property in late 2018 and is also planning 160 luxury apartments, retail and open space with a retention pond.
The self-storage facility, located at the corner of Plaza Way and Fairfield Drive, will be built on a 1.4-acre portion of the 7.5-acre site. Village Center is directly across from Westfield Garden State Plaza and minutes from major highways, including routes 17, 4 and 208, Interstate 80 and the Garden State Parkway.
“With residential, self-storage, and retail facilities on one site, Village Center will be a place to live, work and play, and will become a destination for many in Bergen County and beyond,” Jumani said.
The engineer on the project is Stonefield Engineering & Design of Rutherford, while the architect is Manhattan-based Mancini Duffy. The construction manager is The Lane Group of Denville, Tulfra said, noting that construction plans have been approved by the township.
