The New Jersey Business & Industry Association and New Jersey Business magazine will honor the visionaries behind 14 noteworthy New Jersey redevelopment projects at the 58th Annual New Good Neighbor Awards on July 17.
The event salutes the companies, as well as the architects, builders and financing entities, whose redevelopment projects have benefited their communities and improved New Jersey’s overall economic landscape. The reception will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the Adventure Aquarium in Camden.
“Collectively, these 14 winning projects have made over $720 million in capital investments and provided 5,924 jobs,” NJBIA President & CEO Michele N. Siekerka, Esq., said. “NJBIA is proud to shine a spotlight on companies whose investments have improved the quality of life in their communities and helped move the state’s economy forward.”
The winners were chosen by independent judges from a cross section of state associations and organizations. Entries were evaluated using criteria that considered the projects’ economic benefits, job creation, architectural merits and community involvement.
The alphabetical list below provides a brief description of each winning project. Click on the name to view a short NJBIA video about each project. Click on images for larger photos.
Bell Works, Holmdel
- Bell Works, Holmdel. One of New Jersey’s most notable redevelopment initiatives is Somerset Development’s Bell Works “metro burb,” a $200 million adaptive reuse of the former Bell Labs headquarters. The six-story office building is bifurcated by a 100-foot-wide, quarter-mile atrium, creating a walkable indoor “Main Street” on the ground floor with restaurants, a fitness center, a public library, municipal offices and more. Alexander Gorlin Architects, of New York, designed the project, Somerset Development built it, and Investors Bank/OceanFirst provided financing.
Bergen County Community College’s Health Professions Integrated Teaching Center, Paramus
- Bergen Community College Health Professions Integrated Teaching Center, Paramus. This $20 million state-of-the-art facility is helping to train the healthcare professionals needed to meet the industry’s growing workforce demands, particularly in Bergen County where healthcare is the largest employment sector. The new 63,000-square-foot building was designed by RSC Architects, of Hackensack; built by Benjamin R. Harvey Co., of Ocean Township; and financed by the NJ Educational Facilities Authority.
Carrier Clinic in Belle Meade.
- Carrier Clinic, Belle Mead. This nonprofit behavioral healthcare system, which first opened in 1910, recently undertook a $21 million redevelopment project to update, expand and modernize its facilities in order to improve its services and the safety of both patients and staff. The architect was NK Architects, of Morristown, the builder was O.A. Peterson Construction, of Montclair, and the financing entity was Fulton Bank of Mount Laurel.
Central King Building, NJIT, Newark
- Central King Building, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark. The $99 million renovation of this 107-year-old building stayed true to its original “collegiate Gothic” design and represents the first wave of a $300 million NJIT building campaign that is providing a critical anchor for community redevelopment in a historic area of Newark. The architect was Marvel Architects, of New York; the builders were Turner Construction Co., of Somerset, and Torcon, of Red Bank; and financing came from the NJ Economic Development Authority and NJIT.
Fratelli Beretta USA, Mount Olive.
- Fratelli Beretta USA, Mount Olive. This 200-year-old Italian company made an investment of $30 million to build a new 180,000-square-foot modern facility for the dry curing and production of salami and prosciutto. The project, located in in Mount Olive’s International Trade Center, was designed by Fratelli Beretta USA, Carlstadt, and built by Phelps Construction Group LLC, of Boonton.
Hopewell Theater.
- Hopewell Theater, Hopewell. A two-year, $2 million brick-and-mortar renovation that included heating, electric, plumbing and installation of new balcony seating, was followed by an extensive fit-out renovation of the building’s interiors. The 176-seat performing arts center now has a completely updated lobby, ticket booth, concession stand, lighting and carpeting as well. The architect was Robert Ceruti, of Princeton, and the builder was Baxter Construction, of Hopewell.
Joseph M Sanzari Inc 100 Franklin St Hackensack, NJ
- Joseph M. Sanzari Inc. Corporate Headquarters, Hackensack. After years of steady growth, JMS decided to build its new 10,000-square-foot corporate headquarters in Hackensack, where it has been based for more than 40 years. The $5 million LEED-certified project in a mixed commercial-residential neighborhood was designed by DMR Architects, of Hasbrouck Heights; built by JMS; and financed by The Provident Bank of Manasquan.
Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals Specialty Brand offices, Bedminster
- Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals Specialty Brands Office, Bedminster. The $38 million investment upgraded 23,000 square feet of office space at the Somerset Financial Center to include a more open floor plan, full-service cafeteria, fitness center, data center and energy-efficient LED lighting that automatically adjusts lumen output relative to natural light. The architect was Remiger Design, of St. Louis, and the builder was Turner Construction, of Somerset.
Morristown Medical Center Health Pavillion, Rockaway
- Morristown Medical Center Health Pavilion, Rockaway. Atlantic Health System’s $20 million modern, mirrored health pavilion provides the Rockaway area with high-quality diagnostic testing and healthcare services. The state-of-the-art facility sees thousands of patients every month and has provided jobs for nearly 200 doctors, nurses, medical assistants and environmental staff. The project was designed by Buckl Architects, of Cherry Hill, and built by Holt Construction, of Pearl River, New York.
The Museum of American History at Deptford
- The Museum of American History at Deptford. The 98-year-old Andaloro Farmhouse was repurposed for its new life telling South Jersey’s “history through artifacts” thanks to a public-private partnership and the tireless work of volunteers for the incredibly modest cost of only $1,500. Deptford Township painted the new museum’s exterior, made improvements to auxiliary buildings and is preserving the 32-acre parcel. Foundation volunteers undertook the interior work, including building 80 exhibit cases.
Princeton University Lewis Arts Complex
- Princeton University Lewis Arts Complex, Princeton. This $330 million project features three new buildings to expand the university’s academic opportunities for the arts and create synergy with the neighboring McCarter Theatre Center. The 10-year multi-phase planning and construction project is designed to transform a fragmented corner of the campus into an attractive gateway to both the university and the municipality. The project was designed by Steven Holl Architects, of New York, and built by Turner Construction Company of Philadelphia.
Rowan University’s Engineering Hall
- Engineering Hall, Rowan University, Glassboro. This $70.6 million project will enable the university’s Engineering College to increase enrollment to 2,000 students by 2023, expand programming, and grow collaborations with business, industry and government. The architects were Clarke Caton Hintz, of Trenton, and Ellenzweig, of Boston; the builder was TN Ward Company of Ardmore, PA; and the financing entities were Rowan University and the State of New Jersey.
The Rutgers-Camden University Nursing & Science Building
- Rutgers University-Camden Nursing & Science Building, Camden. This striking $62.5 million four-story building is redefining Camden’s skyline and the first major component of an “eds & meds” corridor connecting Rutgers’ traditional campus footprint with Cooper University Hospital and the Cooper Medical School. The project was designed by Nelson Architects, of Philadelphia; built by GREYHAWK, of Mount Laurel; and financed through New Jersey’s 2012 Building our Future Bond Act.
30 Montgomery Street, Jersey City
- 30 Montgomery Street, Jersey City. This 313,000-square-foot office tower, owned by Onyx Equities, has undergone a $20 million overhaul with street-level storefronts and major capital improvements that have significantly improved the surrounding neighborhood. The project was designed by architect NORR, of Philadelphia; built by Vericon Construction, of Mountainside; and financed by Wells Fargo.
