Great piece in this weekends New York Times about the Hoboken market weathering the real estate storm, with specific references to our neck of the woods, new developments like the west side's first high rise building (9th and Monroe) and 800 Madison, and of course our new movie theater. A must read. Click here.
Shockingly no mention of Metrostop. Again.
800 Madison has put up some official renderings, tied along the fence around the property. Looks more modern than the other buildlings they have put up, and we like what we see!
One concern though - HH has received several emails about these signs and how they are currently blocking sight lines along Madison when crossing 9th Street. Could cause an accident if drivers aren't careful.
Brick work is moving along nicely! We love the north and south sides, which will be all gray bricks. Very cool. Here's a shot of the Madison Street side:
And of course, our favorite detail so far - the amazing all window corner units:
The renters who move into these corner spots will most definitely be either a) horny exhibitionists, b) 'greenies' who like to use less electricity, or c) those who enjoy getting tan while working from the their home office.
Here's one more shot of 800 Madison. Notice the new brick work in various colors, and of course the dusting of snow. Pic doesn't do it justice, but it's very charming in person.
800 Madison is moving so fast that sometimes I think there might just be thousands of Fraggle Rock doozers working secretly at night to put up this new rental building, and when I wake up each morning to survey the progress, I just can't believe how quickly things are coming together. Believe it or not, the brick work has already begun! Using mid - range shades of light browns, the tones are similar to Metrostop, but with more texture. Images below:
Stacks of concrete litter the adjacent property, which is being used for storage and parking during construction. Eventually, this lot will be built as well, into 900 Monroe, a 13 story mixed used building...
And if that wasn't considered jumping the gun, windows are also being installed at a fast clip. Large window openings will provide plenty of natural light, and the angled bay windows will let you enjoy long distance street views:
Stone and brick work along the garage floor:
800 Madison is so huge, it takes up the entire block. From certain angles it gives off an 'eastern bock' kind of vibe, which is not necessarily a good thing. Hopefully with the added textures of brick, stone, and stucko, it will break up the long lines and soften this beast a little...
Our most recent local paper has just debuted their 2007 year in review, out today, and has a section devoted to the continued redevelopment of our famous gold coast. The story, written by Michael D. Mullins, quickly points out that major projects continue to move ahead in our area despite the national real estate downturn. This is because of our proximity to Manhattan, which insulates us to a very large degree from the larger ups and downs of the market.
HH is very disappointed, however, with Mr. Mullins' coverage of the 'action' in Hoboken. Most of his story centers around Toll Brother's waterfront projects and the new W Hotel that is being built. While those are obviously important projects in our square mile, he only mentions two very small projects in the northwest area of Hoboken: the Emsee, which he unfortunately misspells and Ariel Square, both of which are very small scale developments when compared to other projects in our area. He also writes about Velocity, and how it has gone rental after failing to sell out after a disastrous 2 year construction delay which crippled the original projects momentum. I ask Mr. Mullins - these are the highlights you choose to mention?!
For some odd reason he completely ignores such major projects as Metrostop (the first ever 10 story luxury residential building in our neighborhood) and the most recent Upper Grand buildings (1000 Jefferson and 800 Madison) both of which will have added more than 400 rental units to our burgeoning neighborhood. Not to mention the Monroe Center and their plans for 5 new mixed use buildings, including a parking garage and spaces for 30 retail locations, and a 13 story mixed use building that is about to break ground at 900 Monroe. Why would he choose to ignore such major residential progress in a former industrial area that is arguably the largest residential evolution Hoboken has ever gone through, behind the waterfront transformation? We are completely shocked by his lack of coverage of our neighborhood.
There are not many opportunities to get noticed in the world of real estate, and we all know that media exposure is a crucial stepping stone in the sometimes difficult launch and slow pace of redevelopment. It's a shame we do not receive the exposure we deserve. There are many many people putting lots of time, effort, and money into making our neighborhood a viable place to live. It's a shame that a real estate reporter like Mr. Mullins, who enjoys a very large readership and who is very influential, failed to accurately report the progress of our great neighborhood.
HH can only hope that he his saving his secrets for a much larger story devoted solely to northwest Hoboken, come spring time. Here's to hopin':
Below is the excerpt on Hoboken. To read the entire piece, please click here.
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Redevelopment was the word in '07
By Michael D. Mullins
Along Hoboken's northern waterfront, Toll Brothers continues to dominate the area near the city's border with Weehawken.
At the town's formerly industrial northern end, a slew of large, boxy factories are slowly being converted to condominiums. They will soon join the already converted 525-unit "Tea Building" at 1500 Washington St., a former Lipton Tea factory. That waterfront property was converted approximately five years ago, and now is home to notables including Gov. Jon Corzine and Giants quarterback Eli Manning.
Just west of the "Tea Building," the neighboring buildings are still being developed. Toll Brothers completed the first phase of its 10-story Harborside Lofts building at 1500 Garden St. this past November, with move-ins beginning this month. Of the 116 units completed to date, over 80 percent are already sold, according to Axiom Communications representative Jillian Marano.
Once complete, the condo complex will consist of 748 residential units as well as a 1,250-car garage.
Further down the waterfront, Toll Brothers' third major development is an upscale complex in place of the sprawling former Maxwell House coffee factory. Located in the area of 11th and Sinatra Drive, the first of "Maxwell Place's" four separate buildings was completed this past September, yielding 169 condos of which 97 percent are sold.
By 2010, all four Maxwell Place buildings are expected to be completed, adding a total of 832 units to Hoboken waterfront.
On the southern waterfront, the city's three-block South Waterfront Project has already replaced a former port area. The two piers are being used for park space, and the Applied Development Company is continuing construction on the much-anticipated W Hotel, to add to their already built condo complex and office building nearby.
The 25-story W Hotel will contain 225 rooms once complete, as well as an 11,000-square-foot ballroom. The hotel is expected to open in late 2008 and will be operated by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.
There are also many developments inland and far west, even near the public housing projects.
A four-story, 21-unit condominium known as Ariel Square was completed this month at the corner of Fifth and Jackson streets. Only a few hundred feet away is a four and five story condominium known as the Emcee, which consists of 12 units and will be completed in March of 2008.
Both buildings were constructed by the New York City-based TreeTop Development. Adam Mermelstein, a principal of TreeTop, said in a press release that nearly 50 percent of the combined 33 units between both residencies had been sold as of this past week.
One block away on a much larger scale, locally-based Remi Companies has transformed what once was the city's towing yard into a 128-unit condominium called the Velocity. Located at Sixth and Jackson, the four-story residential complex was completed last June.
Remi CEO Eric A. Kaiser said the development initially began as condominiums, but since August of this year, it changed into a rental facility after observing that "sales were sliding." Most of the units rent for between $2,800 and $3,100.
The city also saw residents and politicians arguing over proposed parameters for several redevelopment zones in formerly industrial areas. After months of debating plans for the city's southernmost border, the City Council asked the Planning Board to incorporate new features of a revised "Southwest Redevelopment Plan." The City Council has not formerly adopted the new plan. After it does, the next step is to seek out developers who will conform to the guidelines.
The city also has other redevelopment regions in the works.
With development occurring in every corner, park activists made sure that the remaining undeveloped land should stay that way.
The Maxwell Place Waterfront Park, a 5-acre community amenity from Toll Brothers, opened this past November.
The city expects two other parks to be completed by the late spring of 2008, which are 1600 Park and 1500 Park, located near the Hoboken-Weehawken border and totaling an additional 4 acres of space.
Here are a few shots of 800 Madison, the very large rental building being build on the entire block of land between Madison and Monroe, and 8th and 9th Streets. Sections are being delivered and installed on site - and work is moving very fast.
Compared to other URSA / Tarragon projects, which are all part of the 'Upper Grand' redevelopment project, this one seems to be a bit more modern and comtemporary. one major similarity, and a signature that is being carried over, is the townhouse style entrances on Madison and Monroe. The building is set very far back from the street, to allow for staircases. Everyone's favorite!
Has anyone heard of a completion date?
I've received numerous questions regarding what 800 Madison will look like when complete - and HH is now here to answers your prayers. These two images were captured from marketing materials in a window at one of our local Realtor offices on Washington St. The first is a rendering of 800 Madison (above) which is located on Madison between 8th and 9th streets, and takes up the entire block. It looks as though this Tarragon/Ursa project will be somewhat more modern looking than their previous efforts (1000 Jefferson and numerous other Upper Grand buildings). It will be 6 stories, with corner retail spots. Not sure if those famous 2nd story stoops will be included in this new project. Also no word on whether this is going to be a rental or a condo. Given the current state of the market, my guess is that it's going rental. We'll have to wait and see. 800 Madison is currently under construction.
900 Monroe (below), the first 12 story high rise mixed use condo project in northwest Hoboken will feature condos as well as a restaurant. This new project is located adjacent to 800 Madison, just off the light rail on 9th and Monroe. You are looking at the view up 9th Street towards to Palisades Cliffs and trees. The Liquor Store side of Shopright and the video store is on the right. Work has been done to clear the site, but there's been no word when construction will begin. Look at all that shiny glass!
The quality of the images are obviously poor, my apologies. The renderings were very small to begin with and I had to snap them with my blackberry at night through glass. Also HH had one too many martinis before taking these photos, so please don't shoot the messenger! (Just in case we have a few Hooters girls who may be reading this morning :)
800 Madison has finally finished its concrete flooring! First floor exterior walls are up too. This week they have been delivering the upper floor framing, which is being installed as we speak. More pics soon...
Work was finished so fast at the 900 Monroe demo site, people were even forgetting their footwear as they were leaving. Sad, lonely sneaker:
It seems as though this site has now turned into a temporary parking lot and staging area, for the ongoing work at 800 Madison, which is across the street:
Wonder how long they will use this land as a parking lot, and when they will begin construction on the planned 12 story luxury condo? Bets, anyone?
The above shot was taken through a first floor window at 800 Madison, looking west towards Metrostop. 800 Madison has gone through some major changes. There's a good amount of workers putting the place together, but it seems the workforce has less people on the job than say a project like Metrostop. But still, there's been a ton of action lately - the first floor walls are going up quickly. Here is a large scale perspective shot, looking south:
And here are a few shots of the outside walls, which will eventually be home to the mega first floor parking garage. I'm sort of bummed that the windows are so small though. Gives off a Hobokenites in Prison kind of vibe, instead of a warm residential tone. We'll see how it goes. It's too early to judge, right? :
The dual window shot. Someone should paint a big smile on this section:
On the south end, they have begun laying down the concrete flooring:
Are we at the MoMA?!
Now I just know you've all walked past this on the corner of 8th and Madison and thought to yourself. "Hmmmm, that kinda sorta looks like Mickey Mouse, right?" Come on, you know I'm right:
Here's an interesting contraption. To me it looks like an antique oxygen tank that one of our neighborhood elderly citizens left there by accident, but I'm sure at the construction site it serves some major purpose. Anyone have a clue?
Here's a palate full of materials:
800 Madison, the prison documentary:
To keep costs down, 800 Madison has hired a new freelance security team, instead of the usual police officer situation:
And lastly, the real stars of this project are pictured below. First up are Danny Deere Digger, and his son Tiny:
Next up is Barry Bomag. He's an import:
Then of course there's Jazzy Johnny, the 'Honda Fit' of the construction equipment world. A surprising amount of cabin space, and it sips gas. I hear there's a convertible in the works for next year:
And finally, we have the bully of the group. Burly Biff. Side profile, and the rear end money shot. Watch out he'll steal your lunch money:
Think McFly. Think!
The waters have receded and some serious work has begun. Peter the Pile Driver (centered, above) is still pounding in full force. And the entire site is covered in small rocks, to provide better drainage (I'm assuming).
Giant concrete fingers are popping out of the ground left and right, especially on the south side of this site:
We've also seen some of the wall molds going up along both Monroe and Madison streets, which essentially help support the creation of the foundation walls:
Mild mannered Chevy Cobalt???
Upon closer inspection it seems that Tarragon has hired security to police the area during the late afternoon and overnight shifts. He looks like he could definitely strike the fear of god in those who overstep their boundaries.
My three year old niece can pretty much outrun a Chevy Cobalt (on foot)! Not sure how effective his security tactics really are...
Do you think he carries around an electric tazer, or does he just shoot laser beams out of his eyes?
