New Jersey

As of this Saturday, May 2, at sunrise, all state parks across New Jersey will reopen. Golf courses and county parks will also be allowed to reopen with a social distancing mandate in effect. Governor Phil Murphy made the announcement today after he closed all state and county parks on April 7. The governor has also talked about the possibility of reopening beaches in time for Memorial Day Weekend.
More details ahead

Policy

Will New Jersey beaches really reopen by Memorial Day?

A typically crowded beach day at the Jersey Shore, photo via Wikimedia Commons

April 28, 2020

Will New Jersey beaches really reopen by Memorial Day?

"I want to see the shore humming throughout the summer," said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy yesterday when discussing a reopening plan for his state. According to the New York Times, he said that this could come as soon as Memorial Day, considered the kick-off weekend to summer. But the suggestion has drawn mixed emotions, since yesterday New York Governor Andrew Cuomo alluded to the fact that the New York City area would not reopen when his state's current Pause order ends on May 15th. Cuomo has also been persistent in his message that reopenings must be coordinated within the tri-state region to avoid sending crowds from one state to another.
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Policy

Photo by Takahiro Kyono via Wikimedia Commons

April 20, 2020

Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Jon Stewart and more will perform on ‘Jersey 4 Jersey’ benefit

On Wednesday, April 22 at 7:00pm, the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund will host a star-studded benefit to support those in need in the severely impacted state. The event will include performances streamed from the homes of New Jersey natives Jon Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen and his wife Patti Scialfa, Halsey, SZA, and Charlie Puth, as well as Tony Bennett, who long had a studio in the state. Others who hail from the state will make special appearances including Whoopi Goldberg, Kelly Ripa, Chelsea Handler, Saquon Barkley, Jon Stewart, and Chris Rock.
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Events & Things To Do

All of the beach, boardwalk, and park closures in NJ

Bradley Beach, NJ; Photo by Ryan Loughlin on Unsplash

April 8, 2020

All of the beach, boardwalk, and park closures in NJ

As the number of coronavirus cases in New Jersey continues to climb, state and city officials are furthering social distancing measures by closing public spaces across the state. Gov. Phil Murphy on Tuesday signed an executive order shuttering all state parks and forests, as well as county parks. A number of Jersey Shore towns have closed beaches and boardwalks, with some even banning short-term rentals to curb visits from out-of-towners. "My focus and our focus, our sole mission right now is the health of every New Jersey family," Murphy said. "And we must not just flatten this curve, we must crush this curve." Ahead, find out which public spaces in NJ have been temporarily closed as a result of the pandemic.
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Policy

Jon Bon Jovi puts waterfront NJ mansion on the market for $20M

Listing images courtesy of Christie’s International Realty

April 6, 2020

Jon Bon Jovi puts waterfront NJ mansion on the market for $20M

Fifteen acres, an 18,000-square-foot main house designed by Robert A.M. Stern, a dock and boat lift, a pool with two cedar cabanas, a personal pub, a recording studio--and that's just the beginning of what you'll find at Jon Bon Jovi's incredible Central Jersey mansion. First spotted by Mansion Global, the rocker's property on the Navesink River in Middletown has just hit the market for $20 million, and as Christie's listing agent Kathleen Coumou told MG, "He’s looking for the right buyer, someone who will appreciate what he’s done to the house."
Take the full tour

Jersey City rental next to Liberty State Park opens, units from $1,910/month

Image of 295J courtesy of Ironstate Development Company and BKSK Architects

March 30, 2020

Jersey City rental next to Liberty State Park opens, units from $1,910/month

A new luxury rental building has opened in the bustling Bergen-Lafayette section of Jersey City, with apartments starting at $1,910/month. Located just steps from Liberty State Park, 295 Johnston Avenue, called 295J, contains 309 units, with a mix of studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. In addition to being next to the 1,212-acre waterfront park, the rental boasts an impressive landscaped courtyard with a pool, fire pits, barbecue grills, and ping pong tables.
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On the Jersey Shore, you can spend the night inside a 90-ton elephant

Photo by Acroterion via Wikimedia Commons

February 27, 2020

On the Jersey Shore, you can spend the night inside a 90-ton elephant

In the late 19th century, Atlantic City began its heydey as a booming resort town thanks to a new railroad connection. To attract prospective real estate investors and tourists, inventor James V. Lafferty received a patent to build a giant elephant statue in nearby Margate. Completed in 1881, Lucy the Elephant stood 65 feet tall (six stories) and weighed 90 tons. After a preservation battle in 1969, Lucy was restored in the '70s and has continued to be a spectacle for locals and vacationers alike. The 138-year-old attraction has even caught the attention of Airbnb, who announced that they'll be offering three overnight stays inside Lucy. The lucky Lucy fans will pay $138 (the same number as her age) for a stay on either March 17, 18, or 19.
Get a look inside

Getting Away

For just $200K, you can buy your own Jersey Shore island

Photo by Runa Parvin, courtesy of Private Islands, Inc.

February 4, 2020

For just $200K, you can buy your own Jersey Shore island

Listings for private islands are already rare, but to find a property listed below $1 million is nearly inconceivable. Asking just $200,000, this 19-acre private island off the coast of a Jersey Shore resort town wants to make your archipelago-owning dreams come true. Christened "No Mans Island," the undeveloped property sits in the Grassy Sound near West Wildwood, located at the southern tip of the state, and is only accessible via boat.
Any takers?

Distinctive Homes

POPULAR New Jersey BUILDINGS

30 River Court 30 River Court

20 River Court 20 River Court

200 Greene Street 200 Greene Street

99 Hudson Street 99 Hudson Street

615 Pavonia Avenue 615 Pavonia Avenue

75 Park Lane South 75 Park Lane South

One Journal Square One Journal Square

25 Park Lane South 25 Park Lane South

485 Marin Boulevard 485 Marin Boulevard

65 Bay Street 65 Bay Street

3 Journal Square 3 Journal Square

9 Avenue At Port Imperial 9 Avenue At Port Imperial

77 Hudson Street 77 Hudson Street

2 Shore Lane 2 Shore Lane

70 Greene Street 70 Greene Street

100 Park Avenue 100 Park Avenue

1 Harborside Place 1 Harborside Place

207 Van Vorst Street 207 Van Vorst Street

190 Academy Street 190 Academy Street

837 Jersey Avenue 837 Jersey Avenue

Jersey City set to get its first Whole Foods at Harborside

Rendering courtesy of Mack-Cali

December 26, 2019

Jersey City set to get its first Whole Foods at Harborside

Whole Foods will be opening its first Jersey City location as part of Mack-Cali's Harborside development, Jersey Digs first reported. The 47,000 square-foot market will be housed within an existing office building at 286 Washington Street that will be retrofitted to accommodate the popular grocer. Construction hasn't started yet and an opening date has yet to be confirmed but it will likely be at some point in 2020.
More details

Uncategorized

North America’s first indoor ski resort is now open at New Jersey’s American Dream mega-mall

Images courtesy of Big SNOW

December 23, 2019

North America’s first indoor ski resort is now open at New Jersey’s American Dream mega-mall

New Jersey's three-million-square-foot American Dream mega-mall has added another attraction to its phased opening: a 16-story, climate-controlled indoor ski slope. Big SNOW is the first of its kind in North America and aims to make it easier for skiers and snowboarders to hit the slopes. The location offers equipment rentals, lessons, private coaching, children's programs, and private events.
More info

Uncategorized

NYC and Newark agree to temporarily suspend controversial homeless relocation program

Photo of Newark, NJ by Paul Sableman on Flickr

December 10, 2019

NYC and Newark agree to temporarily suspend controversial homeless relocation program

Update 12/10/19: After a long negotiation in federal court on Monday, Newark and New York have agreed to suspend the SOTA Program, Politico reported. "In the spirit of productive conservations and with the goal of moving toward an improved program, we will be temporarily pausing placements in Newark," de Blasio spokesperson Freddi Goldstein said in a statement. New York City will also send Newark a list of participants of the program and their addresses once an agreement is reached. Newark officials are suing New York City and Mayor Bill de Blasio over the city's controversial Special One-Time Assistance (SOTA) Program that provides homeless shelter residents with free rent for a year if they leave NYC. More than 2,200 families have been placed in 62 New Jersey cities through the program, with over half ending up in Newark. Recent investigations have found that some families end up in "illegal and uninhabitable" apartments and are essentially forced to become dependent on Newark social services. The lawsuit was filed in federal court Monday, as NJ.com first reported, just weeks after Newark passed a law to make the program illegal and ban landlords from taking more than a month's worth of subsidized rent.
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Jersey City vote to curb short-term rentals could mean trouble for Airbnb

The Jersey City waterfront, via Pixabay

November 6, 2019

Jersey City vote to curb short-term rentals could mean trouble for Airbnb

By Michelle Cohen

The Jersey City waterfront, via Pixabay A big-money battle between Airbnb and the hotel industry may leave small hosts stranded after a decisive vote in Jersey City Tuesday. Voters in New Jersey's second-largest city faced a referendum on new, beefed-up regulations on short-term rentals intended to limit the reach of Airbnb and other home-stay companies. According to the New York Times, voters overwhelmingly decided in favor of a law that will require owners of short-term rental properties to get a permit from the city, put a cap on the size and number of units that can be used for short term rental purposes, and limit short-stay rentals to a maximum of 60 days a year if the owner is not physically on-site. The ordinance also bars all renters from using their units as short-term rentals.
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Policy

After 16 years and $5B, New Jersey’s American Dream mall is now (partially) open

Renderings courtesy of Triple Five/ American Dream.

October 25, 2019

After 16 years and $5B, New Jersey’s American Dream mall is now (partially) open

By Michelle Cohen

As 6sqft reported in July, the three-million-square-foot American Dream mega-mall with an indoor water park, amusement rides, and a ski slope adjacent East Rutherford, New Jersey's Met Life Stadium, had announced an October 25 opening. Now, after what may add up to $1 billion in taxpayer incentives, the mall that was formerly known as Xanadu is open, the New York Times reports. The opening may disappoint anyone waiting to shop: The property's owner, Canadian real estate firm Triple Five Group, says the mall's first phase consists of an ice-skating rink, a Nickelodeon amusement park, and regular "slime" shows–with the rest to come in subsequent "chapters."
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New Developments

Coast Guard bans Portal Bridge openings during rush hour to reduce Northeast Corridor delays

Photo by Ken on Flickr

October 16, 2019

Coast Guard bans Portal Bridge openings during rush hour to reduce Northeast Corridor delays

A 109-year-old swing bridge will no longer be the bain of commuters' existence. The United States Coast Guard agreed last week to permanently restrict when boats can pass under the Portal Bridge, which carries about 200,000 passengers daily to and from Penn Station via New Jersey Transit and Amtrak. The 1910 bridge's aging mechanics frequently malfunction while opening and closing for maritime traffic, causing hourslong delays, felt especially during rush hour.
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Landmarked ‘castle’ in NJ relists for $39M

Photo courtesy of Christie’s International Real Estate

September 24, 2019

Landmarked ‘castle’ in NJ relists for $39M

An English-style castle in New Jersey has returned to the market, offering potential buyers the chance to feel like royalty near the Ramapo Mountains. Asking $39 million, the three-story Darlington Mansion sits on over 12 acres in Mahwah and contains 58 rooms. Constructed in 1907 by George Crocker, the son of railroad baron Charles Crocker, the estate has been modernly restored over the last decade, all while retaining original materials and architectural elements. The mansion, also known as the Crocker Mansion, last listed in 2017 for $48 million.
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Photo courtesy of Via

September 19, 2019

Jersey City to launch on-demand bus service operated by ride-sharing app Via

Commuters in Jersey City will soon be able to hail a city bus from their smartphones. In a partnership with ride-sharing app Via, the city will launch on-demand bus service as an alternative to often delayed-plagued New Jersey Transit, Mayor Steven Fulop announced Thursday. Passengers can request a shared trip using Via's app and then will be given a "virtual" bus stop within walking distance from both pickup and drop-off locations.
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Transit

10 things you might not know about the Statue of Liberty

Photo © James and Karla Murray for 6sqft

August 19, 2019

10 things you might not know about the Statue of Liberty

By Lucie Levine

The debate around American immigration policy has become so contentious and dispiriting that the acting director of US Citizenship and Immigration Services has actually suggested amending “The New Colossus,” Emma Lazarus' immortal words of welcome inscribed on the base of the Statue of Liberty. But at the same time, writer Joan Marans Dim and artist Antonio Masi have brought out "Lady Liberty: An Illustrated History of America’s Most Storied Woman." After getting a sneak peek of the new book, it seemed timely to take a deep dive into the history of the Statue of Liberty, which represents not only our city but one of the most vital and necessary of all American values. Ahead, discover 10 things you might not know about the Statue of Liberty, from its beginnings on "Love Island" to early suffragette protests to its sister in Paris.
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History

August 14, 2019

A first look at Walker House, Newark’s historic Bell Telephone Building conversion

The first images of the finished Walker House in Downtown Newark have been released, giving us a peek inside the restored Art Deco masterpiece at 540 Broad Street. Designed by renowned architect Ralph Walker in 1929 as the corporate headquarters for the Bell Telephone Company and entered into the National Historic Register in 2005, the 21-story building has been redeveloped into a mixed-use building comprised of 264 apartments (a mix of market-rate and affordable units), amenities, offices, and retail space, including a brewery, a coffee shop, and Newark's first climbing wall.
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New Developments

Asbury Park’s second act: How developer iStar is transforming this Jersey Shore town

Photo of Asbury Park’s Convention Hall by Acroterion / Wikimedia Commons

July 26, 2019

Asbury Park’s second act: How developer iStar is transforming this Jersey Shore town

If you lived along the Jersey Shore in the '80s and '90s, Asbury Park was not a place you went. After getting its start in the late 1800s as a summer escape for wealthy residents of NYC and Philly, the 1.6-square-mile town boomed again in the '50s and '60s as a grungey, artsy hangout. But after the race riots in the 1970s, the town fell into disrepair and was forgotten by local stakeholders. Fast forward to today, and Asbury is booming--we once aptly described it as "Williamsburg meets Bruce Springsteen-land meets Venice Beach." Like many gentrifying/revitalized areas, the change can be attributed to a developer with foresight. In this case, the team at iStar realized the opportunity nine years ago. They now own 35 acres of land in Asbury, including 70 percent of the waterfront, and are investing more than $1 billion in the town. Their projects include the luxury condo Monroe, the renovated Asbury Lanes bowling alley/performance venue, The Asbury Hotel, and, most recently, the Asbury Ocean Club, a hotel-condo hybrid that made headlines for its $1,050/night suite. Unsurprisingly, iStar has received its share of criticism, but that hasn't stopped New Yorkers from flooding the seaside city in the summertime. Ahead, we delve into the social and cultural landscape of Asbury and talk with iStar's Brian Cheripka about the lesser-known politics behind their plans, why they decided to invest in Asbury Park, and what we can expect to see in the future.
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Jersey Shore’s first five-star hotel opens in Asbury Park, with room rates up to $1,050/night

Photo by Nikolas Koenig

July 9, 2019

Jersey Shore’s first five-star hotel opens in Asbury Park, with room rates up to $1,050/night

A slice of New York City luxury moved to the Jersey Shore last week. The Asbury Ocean Club, a 17-story hotel-condo, officially opened its doors on the boardwalk of Asbury Park, an evolving seaside community in Monmouth County. The 54-room hotel occupies the building's fourth floor, overlooking both the ocean and pool deck. Marketed as just a 70 minute-drive from NYC, the Asbury Ocean Club hopes to attract New Yorkers with its proximity and its prices. During peak season, rooms start at an introductory rate of $425 per night and go up to more than $1,050 per night for a penthouse suite. In the winter, rooms are offered as low as $195 per night, according to the hotel's website.
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Opening date for NJ’s delayed American Dream mega-mall set for October

Renderings courtesy of Triple Five/ American Dream

July 3, 2019

Opening date for NJ’s delayed American Dream mega-mall set for October

The mega-mall that has been in the works for over 16 years officially has an opening date, as NJ.com reported. On October 25, American Dream, the three-million-square-foot venue with an indoor water park, amusement rides, and ski slope, will finally open its doors, developer Triple Five announced Wednesday. New Jersey first signed a deal in 2003 with developers for the Met Life Stadium-adjacent site, but financial issues halted construction on and off for more than a decade.
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New Developments

Jersey City will celebrate July 4th with NJ’s largest fireworks display and a concert headlined by Pitbull

Photo via Flickr cc

July 1, 2019

Jersey City will celebrate July 4th with NJ’s largest fireworks display and a concert headlined by Pitbull

Jersey City is getting ready to celebrate its sixth annual Fourth of July Festival, an epic full day celebration from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Exchange Place Plaza. The free event, called 50STAR FIRESHOW, will feature a carnival, beer festival, and a concert headlined by Jersey City’s own Akon and rapper Pitbull, before culminating with the largest fireworks display in the state.
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Events & Things To Do

June 19, 2019

Frank Lloyd Wright’s unique hexagonal house in Glen Ridge, NJ is back on the market for $1.2M

Just 35 minutes from Manhattan, one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s three remaining New Jersey homes just hit the market for $1.2 million. The three-bedroom, two-bathroom property in charming Glen Ridge is a stunning example of the architect’s midcentury Usonian style of flat-roofed, streamlined homes made of natural materials and incorporating many connections to the outside. Built out of cypress wood, brick, and glass, the home is notable for its hexagonal floor plan formed entirely by 60 or 120-degree angles with not a single right angle.
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Iconic ‘Sopranos’ house in NJ hits the market for $3.4M

Photo courtesy of Victor Recchia

June 3, 2019

Iconic ‘Sopranos’ house in NJ hits the market for $3.4M

The New Jersey home of fictional mob boss Tony Soprano and his family has hit the market for $3.4 million, the New York Times first reported last week. The 5,600-square-foot North Caldwell mansion served as the backdrop for many scenes of HBO's "The Sopranos," a drama starring James Gandolfini that first aired in 1999. Fans of the series frequently visit and take photos the iconic property, especially the long driveway where Tony, clad in a white robe, picked up the morning paper.
More details here

May 21, 2019

New Jersey’s long-stalled American Dream mega-mall is delayed again

The opening of the mega-mall next to Met Life Stadium in New Jersey is delayed again, the developer announced on Monday. American Dream, a huge three-million-square-foot venue with an indoor ski slope, water park, amusement rides, and ice rink, will open this fall instead of the spring, as originally promised. But what's a few more months? The project has been in the works for more than 16 years, plagued by financial and legal problems.
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New Developments

May 20, 2019

Audible opens new offices at a restored historic cathedral in Newark