352 George St. in New Brunswick — Courtesy: Weiss Properties
By Joshua Burd
A historic bank building in downtown New Brunswick could soon be reborn as a high-end dining and events venue in the mold of Cipriani’s iconic locations in New York City.
Its owner, Weiss Properties, announced last week that it was seeking a tenant for the space at 352 George St., as it unveiled its plan to repurpose the former Brunswick Bank & Trust location. Now known as The Trust, the building offers vintage, ornate features such as a 30-foot hand-painted mosaic ceiling, a pure white stone façade, a 10,000-pound vault and rich marble floors.
With a nightlife permit in place, the locally based firm said it envisions a high-end dining and events destination, having prepared architectural plans for a three-story space. It has also created a new branding package for the property, which it also sees as a weekend nightlife venue.
“I was immediately captivated by the timeless elegance and architectural splendor of The Trust when purchasing the property,” said Robert Weiss, the founder of Weiss Properties. “When I look around at the many thriving hospitality establishments on George Street, can easily envision the Trust becoming a marque destination and a flagship venue for a premiere hospitality operator.”
In a news release, Weiss noted that The Trust is steps from New Brunswick Development Corp.’s landmark Health + Life Science Exchange project, the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, Rutgers University and other downtown destinations. The firm also pointed to the seasonal street closure of George Street, which provides enhanced pedestrian traffic, as well as the growing trend of converting former banks to successful nightlife destinations.
