Six Major Projects to Watch in New Brunswick

In his State of the City Address on New Year's Day, New Brunswick, N.J. Mayor James Cahill said there were 1,200 new housing units coming to the city.

Some of those units are in projects proposed for different parts of the city, but hundreds of units are under construction in three housing complexes that will be completed this year.

There is also one major downtown project, the $215 million New Brunswick Performing Arts Center and 23-story office and residential tower that will be completed.

Here are some major projects to watch:

1. The Standard 

In the city's downtown, at 90 New St. just off Livingston Avenue, work is underway on a 21-story building that will have 186 apartments anticipated largely serve Rutgers University students. 

The developer, Landmark Properties doing business as New Brunswick Urban Renewal LLC., received approval for the project more than a year ago.

The 21-story residential development will include 186 units that range from studio to five-bedroom layouts. 

According to Landmark Properties, the developers responsible for the new building, the lower floors are expected to mostly house local college students, while the upper levels will primarily accommodate working professionals.

Additional components include common study rooms for student residents, a fitness center, storage space, 2,000 square feet of retail space on the ground floor, and 111 parking spaces. Select units will also offer private outdoor space.

Construction only began after the city council last May approved a 30-year tax abatement. Under the agreement, the developer would make an annual payment to the city in lieu of taxes. City leaders who voted on the agreement said the property had become an eyesore, with two abandoned buildings on the site that had been vacant for five years.

The Standard at New Brunswick is expected to finish construction by 2020.

2. The Collegiate

On the opposite side of the city, another nine-story apartment building is under construction at 78 Easton Ave. that will have 181 apartments, also largely expected to serve university students. This building will have 9,000 square feet of first-floor retail space. Just as with the New Street project, the developers of the Easton Avenue project - Missouri-based Collegiate Development Group of St. Louis - were given a 30-year tax abatement, and instead will pay $1.1 million in lieu of taxes.

3. Raritan Heights

Another project expected for completion this year is not intended for college students. Raritan Heights, a 254-unit complex is going up just off Route 1 south, near the AMC New Brunswick 18 movie theaters. City officials say these will be "market rate" units, distinguishing them from low-income apartment or luxury apartments.

4. Georges Road

In the planning stages is a mixed-use project with 12,000 square feet of retail and commercial space and 112 residential units located at the corner of Georges Road and Lawrence Street.

5. Jersey Handy Redevelopment

Also, there are plans for a five story, 112,000 square foot medical office building and a four-story residential building consisting of 192 residential units in the Jersey Handy Redevelopment Area as it extends to Delevan Street.

6. New Brunswick Performing Arts Center

Probably the crown jewel of all the projects this year will be the $215 million New Brunswick Performing Arts Center and 25-story tower for office and residential use. 

The Performing Arts Center is being erected on Livingston Avenue and George Street, next to the State Theatre. It will become home to George Street Playhouse, American Repertory Ballet, Crossroads Theatre Company, and Rutgers Mason Gross School of the Arts Opera and Musical Theater.

Atop the new theater complex will be 250 residential apartments and 15,000 square feet of office space. In addition there will be a new 400 car parking garage.