Strategic Development Partners has unveiled plans for a 256-unit luxury apartment complex downtown Newark, NJ. Located in the Living Downtown Redevelopment Area—the city’s hottest district—Vibe will offer resort-style living with magnificent views of the Manhattan skyline to the east and the New Jersey coastline, all the way down to Sandy Hook.
This $80 million project currently plans call for 60 percent of the units to be one bedroom, 20 percent two bedroom and another 20 percent studios. Onsite parking will be provided for 156 vehicles. A project in development for about a year now, the project hopes to move forward within the year once permits are approved, with “shovels in the ground” by early 2019.
“Vibe will offer a technology-rich environment with abundant lifestyle amenities for Millennials, who prefer the energy and convenience of cities like Newark,” said Anthony V. Bastardi, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Strategic Development Partners. “The location—just minutes from diverse dining options, world-class cultural events, sports and transportation—will make Vibe an enviable address.” Born and raised in Newark, Bastardi attended Lafayette Street school in Ironbound and St. Benedict’s Prep.
Located at the intersection of Halsey and William streets, Vibe will contribute to a high-energy neighborhood that has already sparked Newark’s dining renaissance. On its street level, the tower will feature two renowned restaurants. Across the street at Teacher’s Village will be Joe Bastianich’s newest offering, promising exciting cuisine from the renowned restaurateur that brought us Babbo, Del Posto, Becco and Eataly. Another trendy eatery, Marcus B&P by famed chef Marcus Samuelsson, recently opened down the street in The Hahne & Co. building, which also features a Whole Foods Market. Within walking distance are a Starbucks and an abundance of ethnic cuisines—Portuguese, Spanish and Brazilian—in the Ironbound.
“Vibe represents a significant investment in Newark by a talented and experienced team of redevelopment professionals,” said Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. “It is yet another exciting sign that this city is a highly-desirable location.”
Amenities will include a rooftop pool and whirlpool spa; large outdoor dining area with barbecue grills and fire pits; communal party room with chef’s kitchen and bar; fully-equipped gym and fitness center; indoor and outdoor yoga and Pilates studios; conference room with high-tech A/V systems; large game room for playing billiards, ping pong, foosball and shuffleboard; covered dog run; and children’s play area as well as a coffee bar in the street-level lobby .
“We have incorporated resort-style amenities into every detail of Vibe,” said Barbara A. Hillier, AIA, principal with Studio Hillier, a partner in the venture. “Residents will enjoy light and airy living spaces, as well as a menu of highly-desired social and recreational opportunities.”
Vibe will feature building-wide wi-fi; Alexa built into all apartments and common areas; smart-phone, app-driven apartment entry; temperature controls and package-receipt notification; and a concierge to round out Vibe’s world-class amenity package.
Vibe’s location is ideally situated for convenience. The proposed building is the closest new residential development to the Prudential Center—home of the New Jersey Devils—and host to concerts by internationally-renowned performers. Also within easy walking distance are the cultural and arts offerings at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and New Jersey Symphony Hall.
The building’s location will be minutes from transportation hub Newark Penn Station, with PATH trains into Manhattan, NJ Transit train, bus lines and the Newark Light Rail, with stations throughout the city and connections to Newark Liberty International Airport.
