Plans for the 22-acre redevelopment project on Jersey City’s West Side, University Place, have expanded to include additional housing units and a new home for the Manhattan-based Joffrey Ballet School.
“This will give you a good sense of the excitement and energy that the (University PAC) and the Joffrey will bring to University Place and the West Side of Jersey City,” said Strategic Development Group CEO Anthony Bastardi.
Bastardi, head of the Fairfield-based real estate development firm, announced the new plans last week. The 22-acre redevelopment is in partnership with New Jersey City University and being spearheaded by Bastardi. A nearly 500-seat performing arts center, academic and practice space, a residential component and a variety of restaurant options to be called “restaurant row” will be included in the project. Currently based in Manhattan, the Joffrey Ballet School will relocate to the development by 2021.
“When combined with the public plaza, the three new eateries on ‘Restaurant Row’ and the other restaurants and retail located in RIVET 1 and RIVET 2, University Place will be ‘the place’ on the West Side to, live, eat, play, socialize and learn,” Bastardi said.
Changes to the project include the addition of 160 luxury apartments — bringing the total planned from 160 up to 320 — and an increase to the building height from six to 10 stories.
A 400-student NJCU residence hall and a 163-unit luxury apartment complex, RIVET, are already completed, and another residential building is currently under construction at the site.
“The 930 apartment units in the five mixed-use and residential buildings, plus the 430-student resident hall will bring more than 2,000 residents to this vibrant new community,” said Bastardi.
Under the new plan, NJCU will also be offering Joffrey Ballet School students a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree jointly with the certifications offered by the ballet and dance institution.
