New Jersey

Earlier this week, a beach town in New Jersey said it would allow indoor dining at some businesses next week, defying a recent executive order from Gov. Phil Murphy. The Asbury Park City Council on Wednesday approved a resolution to allow bars and restaurants to open their dining rooms at 25 percent capacity starting Monday. Earlier this month, Murphy signed an order that would allow for limited outdoor dining at restaurants starting June 15, but he said "we're not there yet," when it comes to indoor dining. In response, the governor announced today that the state would be suing Asbury to prevent this from happening.
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Food & Dining

Jersey City moves forward with $40M renovation of historic Loew’s Theatre

All photos taken by James and Karla Murray exclusively for 6sqft.

June 12, 2020

Jersey City moves forward with $40M renovation of historic Loew’s Theatre

The historic Loew's Wonder Theatre in Jersey City is finally set to receive the restoration it's waited years for. Built in 1929 by architect George Rapp in a gilded, Baroque-Rococo style, the Loew's Jersey was as a lavish entertainment destination for decades, until it was converted to a triplex movie theater in the '70s and almost faced the wrecking ball in the '80s. But through a grassroots preservation effort, the city bought the theater in 1987, allowing the nonprofit Friends of the Loew’s to begin restoration and operate as a nonprofit arts center. Though the group has made incredible progress, a significant amount of work remains. Now, the Wall Street Journal reports that Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop is searching for a commercial operator to help with the $40 million restoration and modernization effort of the 3,000-seat theater.
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History

With 8,000 units, Jersey City project will be the Tri-State’s largest mixed-income housing development

Rendering of Cove Pointe, community green. Rendering by Minno and Wasko

June 10, 2020

With 8,000 units, Jersey City project will be the Tri-State’s largest mixed-income housing development

After receiving approval from the city, last week, developer BRP Companies revealed renderings for their Bayfront Redevelopment Project in Jersey City along the Hackensack River. Located on a former brownfield site, the 100-acre project will be built in phases, eventually resulting in 8,000 units of mixed-income housing (35 percent of which will be affordable), said to be the largest such project in the region. This fall, construction will kick off on the 16-acre first phase, known as Cove Pointe, which will bring 1,092 units of housing, with 382 set aside as affordable and workforce housing.
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New Jersey set to open hair salons, in-store retail, and outdoor dining this month

Photo of Asbury Park commercial district by Acroterion via Wikimedia Commons

June 2, 2020

New Jersey set to open hair salons, in-store retail, and outdoor dining this month

In his press conference yesterday, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced that his state was looking to enter stage two of its reopening on Monday, June 15. On this date, outdoor dining and limited in-store retail would begin, with hair salons and barbershops following on the 22nd and youth summer programs in early July. This second stage would also phase in museums and libraries, as well as limited capacity at gyms and in-person government services such as motor vehicles.
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Policy

Hoboken will allow gyms to use parks and fields for outdoor workout classes

A yoga class at Pier A from a previous Fitness in the Park class

May 28, 2020

Hoboken will allow gyms to use parks and fields for outdoor workout classes

Hoboken, New Jersey Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla signed an executive order yesterday that permits fitness clubs to "utilize certain City fields and parks in order to facilitate safe, socially distanced outdoor workouts." Because of reopening measures outlined by Governor Murphy that will reduce capacity at indoor gyms and fitness facilities, Mayor Bhalla is encouraging owners of such businesses licensed in Hoboken to apply to host outdoor classes of up to 15 people with "strict social distancing guidelines of at least six feet between each participant at all times." With the permission of property owners, gyms can also hold outdoor classes in parking lots.
More details here

Jersey Shore beaches will open for Memorial Day Weekend

Photo of Asbury Park, NJ via Wikimedia Commons

May 14, 2020

Jersey Shore beaches will open for Memorial Day Weekend

Beaches and boardwalks of the Jersey Shore will open in time for Memorial Day, Gov. Phil Murphy announced on Thursday. Effective May 22, all public and private beaches and lakeside areas can open in the state, but with capacity limits and social distancing measures in place.
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Policy

Photo of Jersey City by Bruce Emmerling from Pixabay

May 13, 2020

New Jersey will start reopening on Monday

In his press conference on Wednesday, Governor Phil Murphy announced that as of 6:00 am on Monday, May 18, New Jersey would begin its reopening process by allowing the restart of non-essential construction, non-essential retail stores to reopen for curbside pickup only, and drive-through and drive-in events to operate under social distancing guidelines. This is quite similar to what is allowed under New York's first phase of reopening, however, NJ's northern neighbor New York City is still not at that point. "The data we are seeing gives us confidence that we can begin the careful and responsible restart of our economy to get people back to work and to begin to set the stage for the steps to come," Murphy said.
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Policy

Iconic Asbury Park music venue The Stone Pony hosting live stream concerts

Photo by Acroterion via Wikimedia Commons

May 6, 2020

Iconic Asbury Park music venue The Stone Pony hosting live stream concerts

Since Bruce Springsteen got his start at the Jersey Shore music venue in the '70s (launching "the house that Springsteen built"), The Stone Pony has been a trailblazer in the music scene. Though the venue hosts big-name acts today, what's set the Pony apart over the years is its commitment to local artists and up-and-comers. And they're not letting coronavirus stop this. As reported by the Asbury Park Press, The Stone Pony is hosting "a curated live stream lineup of Jersey Shore musicians and national faves, all regulars at the venue."
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Events & Things To Do

New Jersey will allow state parks and golf courses to reopen this weekend

Photo of Liberty State Park by Shinya Suzuki via Flickr cc

April 29, 2020

New Jersey will allow state parks and golf courses to reopen this weekend

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.
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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.
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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

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.
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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.
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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.
See inside

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

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