Newark is enjoying a wealth of new investments that are redefining neighborhoods and spurring population growth across the city. Rendering courtesy of Cahn Communications

While COVID-19 is sparking an exodus from many urban centers, Newark is enjoying a wealth of new investments that are redefining neighborhoods and spurring population growth across the city. According to the 2020 census, Newark’s population has surpassed 300,000 residents for the first time since 1980, representing a 12.4% increase since 2010. 

According to Mayor Ras Baraka, the city’s leadership has created a strong culture of collaboration to move Newark forward.  

“When COVID-19 struck, Newark came together as a community to deal with the emergency and plan for our post-pandemic future,” Baraka said. “Our development strategy has been guided by the principle of equitable growth, ensuring that the momentum of the downtown’s rapid growth also brings investment and prosperity to wards that have historically suffered from disinvestment and neglect.” 

In March 2022, Baraka introduced amendments to the city’s Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance (IZO), targeted to increase the supply of housing that residents can afford and ensure that Newark is an equitable city. As required by law, the council voted to refer the amendments to the Central Planning Board for review.   

The Newark IZO, originally adopted on Oct. 4, 2017, is one of the strongest in the nation, requiring developers of city projects of 30 units or more to set aside 20% of their units to be affordable for low- and moderate-income families over a range from below $40,000 annually to $80,000 for families of four. The mayor noted that the amendments will help the city meet its five-year housing goals and to “ensure that all Newark residents have access to safe, decent and affordable housing.” 

The renovation and revitalization of Symphony Hall is planned to coincide with the venue’s 100th anniversary. Rendering courtesy of Clarke Caton Hintz

Successful projects such as Teachers Village and One Theater Square attest to Newark’s progress. Between 2016 and 2021, the Newark Planning and Zoning Boards approved a total of more than 20 million square feet of residential properties in about 33,000 units and over 8.5 million square feet of commercial space in 986 units. 

According to Chip Hallock, president and CEO of the Newark Regional Business Partnership, the growth and improvement of Newark’s housing stock has been occurring throughout the city. 

“Newark is continuing to grow and be a better place to live,” Hallock said. “We are seeing activity in both residential and commercial real estate as well as in cultural attractions. The plan to invest $50 million in Newark Symphony Hall and the proposed development surrounding NJPAC are prime examples.” 

Newark Symphony Hall is a 2,800-seat facility that also houses a ballroom, which accommodates up to 1,200 guests. The renovation and revitalization of the historic structure is planned to coincide with the venue’s 100th anniversary. Built in 1925, Newark Symphony Hall was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. 

Another of Newark’s cultural centers, NJPAC, will be the site of a $150 million development project that is set to expand the area’s arts and education district. The project aims to create a “vibrant new neighborhood” of low-rise and high-rise multifamily buildings, retail establishments, restaurants and cultural spaces, plus about 15 new townhomes and condos on a portion of NJPAC’s riverfront campus. This phase will include roughly 350 rental residences.  

One exciting project on Newark’s horizon is CitiSquare Newark, a new transit-oriented neighborhood created by prominent East Coast developer, Accurate. Rendering courtesy of Ian Bader Architects

One of the most ambitious ventures on Newark’s horizon is CitiSquare Newark, a new transit-oriented neighborhood created by prominent East Coast developer, Accurate. CitiSquare Newark will be comprised of 11 buildings, 4,200 residential units, 100,000 square feet of commercial, office and hospitality space, and up to 3,000 parking spaces. The 10.75-acre site is the former home of the Newark Bears minor league baseball team.  

“The city of Newark has an incredible vision for this property, and we are thrilled to partner with them on this exciting project,” said Jack Klugmann, president and CEO of Accurate. “CitiSquare will be a vibrant, new, lifestyle destination that combines community, culture, dining, green spaces and a location near mass transit. Mayor Ras Baraka and Deputy Mayor Allison Ladd deserve a huge amount of credit for getting this project off the ground.” 

In addition to investments from major developers, Newark is receiving significant support from two of the city’s well-known natives. Basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal and entertainment icon Queen Latifah are both actively involved in new milestone buildings.  

Shaquille O’Neal, working with Boraie Development, is a driving force behind 777 McCarter, a 370-unit luxury apartment tower set directly across from Penn Station. Photo courtesy of City of Newark

O’Neal, working with Boraie Development, is a driving force behind 777 McCarter, a 370-unit luxury apartment tower set directly across from Penn Station. Known informally as “Shaq Tower,” the new building will include such high-end amenities as a roof deck and lounge, a gym, an outdoor pool and 24/7 concierge service in addition to approximately 12,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space.  

Queen Latifah has added her support to the Rise Living project, which will offer 60 two- and three-bedroom, market-rate apartments and 16 affordable units in a separate building. The project is set near the junction of Newark’s Central and West wards.  

In keeping with Newark’s plan to develop in wards outside the downtown district, the Fairmount Commons Redevelopment Area will use vacant, city-owned lots to create affordable home ownership targeting low- to moderate-income families. Three affordable mid-rise, multistory, mixed-use buildings will be developed by minority-women developers and the Urban League. 

The Fairmount Commons Redevelopment Area will use vacant, city-owned lots to create affordable home ownership targeting low- to moderate-income families. Rendering courtesy of City of Newark

Additional projects coming to Newark include the West Side Neighborhood Development Program, through which minority and women developers are restoring 60 sites in 21 blocks. Other noteworthy projects include residential units at Halo, Vermella, 50-54 Sussex Avenue and Urby.  

The first phase of Halo at 289-301 Washington St. will consist of a 38-story tower. The second and third phases call for another 42-story building and a 46-story tower, with the entire complex including a total of 949 residential units connected by a 6-story base.  

The 295-unit Vermella project near Broad Street Station will bring more street life to the neighborhood and offer community assets, like a rooftop lounge and gallery space.   

Set to rise 150 feet in the city’s university district, 50-54 Sussex Avenue will include 203 rental units plus 2,000 square feet of ground floor commercial space. Urby, located at located at 155 Washington St., is an 18-story Art Deco tower, with 4,000 square feet of retail space. The building wrapped up construction in fall 2022.  

With tens of thousands of housing units and millions of square feet of commercial space on the drawing board, Newark is poised for a bright future. Mayor Baraka said, “The city has collaborated to accelerate Newark’s leadership as a center of the arts, which, in turn, makes it an exciting, lively, affordable place to work, live and locate a business.

Stan Lemond is an award-winning marketing consultant and writer who has more than 40 years of experience. His work has appeared in The Star-Ledger, Staten Island Advance, Trenton Times and South Jersey Times as well as Jersey’s Best.

This article originally appeared in the Winter 2022 issue of Jersey’s Best. Subscribe here for in-depth access to everything that makes the Garden State great.