A new phase of high-density development is taking shape in Jersey City, where local authorities have approved a 55-story mixed-use tower in the rapidly evolving Journal Square district.
Planned for a site along Kennedy Boulevard, adjacent to the historic Loews Jersey Theater, the development is led by Nasser Freres and designed by Handel Architects. The proposal will replace a low-rise retail structure with a 588-foot (179-meter) high-rise comprising 840 residential units, including 84 affordable homes.
The residential mix is weighted toward smaller units, with studios and one-bedroom apartments forming the majority, alongside a limited number of larger family-sized homes. Amenity spaces are distributed across multiple levels, including a fifth-floor terrace and a rooftop deck at the 55th floor.
At ground level, the project introduces a significant retail component, with Whole Foods Market expected to occupy approximately 48,600 square feet (4,515 square meters) of commercial space in a double-height storefront. The inclusion of a major grocery anchor reflects a broader shift toward integrating essential services within high-density residential developments.
The building is notable for its car-free design, instead incorporating extensive bicycle storage and prioritizing transit-oriented living. Its location within the Journal Square 2060 Redevelopment Plan allows for increased density through zoning incentives, including provisions tied to public realm improvements and cultural connectivity.
Architecturally, the building will feature a predominantly glazed façade, with a lower-level expression that references the site’s existing curved geometry through metal and copper detailing. This approach aims to balance contemporary high-rise form with contextual continuity at street level.
The project highlights the continued transformation of secondary urban centers into transit-oriented, mixed-use districts, where residential density is paired with everyday infrastructure—retail, mobility, and public space—to support more complete and livable urban environments.
Read more at Jersey Digs.