HillTop Partners Urban Renewal LLC and officials from the township and county cut the ribbon on a new mixed-income residential property in Irvington earlier this week.
The 114-unit building at 280 Park Place serves to revitalize the blighted former site of Irvington General Hospital — which has been vacant for 12 years — according to a news release.
Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo, Irvington Mayor Tony Vauss, members of the township council and others joined the joint venture partners who make up HillTop Partners to open the township’s first major residential redevelopment in decades.
“Today was an exciting and significant day for the township of Irvington,” Vauss said in a statement. “The closure of Irvington General Hospital was devastating to our community, and this project is symbolic of Irvington’s resurgence. I am grateful to the developers for not only choosing to invest in our township, but for also delivering a transformative and world-class project.”
The building at 280 Park Place is five stories and comprises 125,000 square feet, including a fitness center, resident lounge, children’s library and more.
Adenah Bayoh, whose Kapwood LLC is part of the joint venture, told ROI-NJ earlier this year that at least 80 percent of the units are affordable housing, but with greater amenities than traditional units.
“I wanted to bring features to it like granite countertops, huge bathrooms and large closets,” she said. “I wanted a space that someone can walk in and feel at home. And, for me, that means feeling that a woman had a hand in the development.”
The property represents phase 1 of a larger planned community, with construction of phase 2 slated to begin in 2020.
“280 Park Place marks the beginning of an ambitious development plan,” Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver said in a statement. “… In place of a vacant hospital building, the new 280 Park Place will be infused with individuals and families who will become part of the community.”
HillTop is a joint venture between Kapwood and Urban Builders Collaborative, a unit of Lettire Construction Corp.
