KUSHNER BREAKS GROUND ON ONE JOURNAL SQUARE IN JERSEY CITY
Start of Two-Tower, Skyline-Defining Project Punctuates Journal Square Renaissance
JERSEY CITY, NJ– Kushner has broken ground on its ambitious One Journal Square project in Jersey City, beginning work on a nearly $1 billion mixed-use development that will create more than 2 million square feet of residential, retail, amenities, parking and open space in the heart of the historic and well-connected Journal Square neighborhood.
One of the largest development undertakings in the region, One Journal Square will comprise 1,723 rental residences, 45,000 square feet of upscale amenities, and 40,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space that has been fully pre-leased by a AAA tenant to provide goods and services to the surrounding community. The collective elements will be situated in two 64-story glass towers, affording dramatic views of the Hudson River, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and downtown Manhattan.
The transformational project, which is being developed by Kushner directly adjacent to the Journal Square PATH Station and built by AJD Construction, will include a new sprawling public plaza at its base facing John F. Kennedy Boulevard that will feature green space and seating areas, allowing the buildings to seamlessly mesh into the urban fabric of the neighborhood.
The entire development is expected to be completed in 2026.
Principals of Kushner hosted Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, fellow municipal officials and other dignitaries to celebrate the start of the multi-faceted project that is expected to further reenergize Journal Square and cement its place as one of the most dynamic places to live in the New York metropolitan area.
“When you look at what’s happening in Journal Square, you’d be hard pressed to find another city in the country that can point to the amount of development in this two-block radius,” Mayor Fulop said. “This project is bar none the most significant project we have in Jersey City and probably the most significant project in New Jersey. Its 900 units in the first phase, its 64 stories tall and we’re already close to 100 feet above the flood plain level so you talk about the size of this building and what it’s doing to the skyline is really significant. If you can imagine this being completed in the next 36 months and all the other things in Journal Square moving forward simultaneously you can get a little bit of a glimpse of what it will be in three short years and the most important project to make that a reality is One Journal Square.”
“Today’s groundbreaking for One Journal Square has been several years in the making for us, and we are thrilled to begin the physical build-out of what we believe will be the crown jewel of this resurgent neighborhood and an important asset for all of Jersey City,” said Laurent Morali, CEO of Kushner. “Our steadfast commitment to moving this pivotal project forward was founded in our strong belief in Journal Square, both in its present and in its future, and we look forward to bringing our vision to life.”
Bordered by the Journal Square PATH Station, John F. Kennedy Boulevard and Sip Avenue, One Journal Square will place residents just steps from the neighborhood’s extensive transportation network anchored by PATH service to lower and midtown Manhattan, Jersey City, Hoboken and Newark. NJ Transit and private buses also serve the neighborhood daily, providing convenient access to major employment and recreation centers on both sides of the Hudson River.
Designed by global architectural firm, Woods Bagot, One Journal Square will express a slender verticality while a series of stepped volumes gracefully transitions the towers to the scale of the surrounding context.
“One Journal Square will offer an unparalleled lifestyle experience for residents through thoughtful design, upscale finishes and appointments, state-of-the-art amenities enhanced by our partnership with Restoration Hardware, and a well-connected location brimming with culture and diversity,” said Nicole Kushner Meyer, President of Kushner. “It also reflects our commitment as developers to transform neighborhoods and invest money that positively impacts communities.”
A robust suite of amenities will feature an Olympic-size indoor pool, cold plunge pool and whirlpool spa, sauna and steam rooms, bowling alley, golf simulator, multiple lounges, co-working space, chef’s kitchen and a kid’s club. Health and wellness will be fostered by a fitness center, yoga/multipurpose room, spin cycle suite, full-size indoor basketball court, rock climbing wall and squash court. Coveted outdoor spaces will include two landscaped rooftop terraces and an outdoor lounge pool with a hot tub.
“One Journal Square will offer every lifestyle element one looks for in a convenient and culturally-rich destination,” said Michael Sommer, Executive Vice President – Development and Construction at Kushner. “We look forward to the day approximately three years from now when Jersey City will have a new, iconic residential development to be proud of when we begin welcoming our first residents who will call One Journal Square home.”
One Journal Square builds on the enormous investment pouring into Journal Square as the City’s nearly 100-year-old neighborhood undergoes a noteworthy return to its former glory days as a business, arts and shopping hub. For validation of its growing prominence in art and culture, one must look no further than the city’s partnership with world-renowned Parisian art museum, Centre De Pompidou, which will open a museum in Journal Square directly adjacent to where One Journal Square is rising. The Pompidou x Jersey City will be the institution’s only satellite in North America, joining other locations in Shanghai, Brussels, and Malaga.
Jersey City’s vibrant arts scene, which is bolstered by small independent galleries, traveling pop-up installations, a city-wide mural arts program, and Journal Square’s own Mana Contemporary, is being embraced and supported by Kushner through its development activity. At One Journal Square’s groundbreaking, the developer announced a collaboration with the JCArts program to showcase an installation created by local high school students with a mission to promote mental health awareness within the classroom and workplace. The series of 36 black and white portraits, which are now displayed along the One Journal Square property, is in support of the Inside Out Project, a participatory platform launched by French artist JR that helps individuals and communities make a statement and raise awareness.
About Kushner
Kushner is a multi-generational real estate development and management firm headquartered in New York City. The company’s diverse portfolio encompasses residential, commercial, retail and hospitality with approximately 10,000 apartments under development and over 25,000 apartments under ownership across fourteen states. Kushner’s integrated team touches upon every step of the development and management process at its properties, creating an unparalleled and seamless experience for its tenants, team members, and partners.