The Stahl Soap Company building is slated for revitalization by Rockefeller Group after years of planning. Photo by Chris Fry/Jersey Digs.
Four large parcels that have sat vacant in Hoboken for decades could finally be revitalized into residences, retail, public parking, and more after officials took a major step towards redeveloping land near the city’s northern entrance.
During their December 17 meeting, Hoboken’s City Council unanimously approved four resolutions executing redevelopment agreements for lots along 15th Street. The properties are owned by various subsidiaries of Rockefeller Group, who first purchased the land back in 2008.
The parcels that Rockefeller Group is looking to redevelop. Image courtesy City of Hoboken.
The neighborhood around the properties has grown significantly since then, becoming Hoboken’s fastest-growing area. Rockefeller Group is looking to join the party with four buildings designed by CetraRuddy Architects that would be built in phases, and hopes to address the current needs of the area while building out their project.
The first phase of Rockefeller’s plan would rise at 1413-1425 Willow Avenue at the Stahl Soap property. Rendering by CetraRuddy Architects.
The first phase of Rockefeller’s ambitious project would rise at 1413-1425 Willow Avenue, the site of the long-shuttered Stahl Soap Company. The initial portion of the project would consist of 233 residential rental units with a 10% affordable housing component plus construction of public open space areas totaling 5,621 square feet.
In addition, a 424-space parking garage would provide some relief to the neighborhood. 275 of the spaces would be leased to the city under a long-term agreement, with the additional 149 parking spaces to be used by tenants at the development.
As part of the phasing agreement, Rockefeller Group has additionally agreed to provide 50 public parking spaces on a surface lot on a temporary basis as the project is being built. The move hopes to alleviate some of the parking issues both development and ongoing utility work have created in the area.
The development’s next phase would rise at 1500 Willow Avenue. Rendering by Cetra Rudy Architects.
The next phases of the project include a new building at 1501-1507 Clinton Street and 1500 Willow Avenue, currently home to a car wash. Rockefeller Group is planning 188 rental units with 10% affordable housing, 11,318 square feet of retail space, and construction of public open space areas totaling 21,771 square feet at the site.
The portion of the work would also include a promenade of no less than 6,000 square feet to the north of the building, with another phase set to be built at 1524-1530 Willow Avenue across the plaza. That portion would shift to condominiums with 126 living spaces, still including a 10% affordable component.
Another building would be constructed across the plaza at 1524 Willow Avenue under the plan. Rendering by CetraRuddy Architects.
135 parking spaces would be included in this portion along with 5,079 square feet of retail space. Further construction of the public space would add 21,771 square feet to the plaza between the phases.
The final phase at 1500 Park Avenue would complete the Rockefeller Group’s redevelopment plan. Rendering by CetraRuddy Architects.
The final building of Rockefeller’s plan would stand alone at 1500 Park Avenue, directly across from the future Harborside Park, currently under construction. The concluding building would add 182 condos with 10% affordable housing, 152 parking spaces, and 15,833 square feet of ground-floor retail space.
About 20,630 square feet of public space called Gateway Plaza would also be built as part of this work along 16th Street across from the 1600 Park athletic fields.
Aerial of the full plan. Rendering by CetraRuddy Architects.
Rockefeller Group still needs approval from Hoboken’s Planning Board among others before construction can begin, but the company’s vision for land that they have owned for 16 years finally appears within reach.