Hailing it as part of the first wave of new residential building in Bayonne, city and county officials, business leaders, and project developers gathered at the Feb. 2 open house of the 60-unit, seven-story, Park Bayonne apartment building.
The residential complex at 1040 Kennedy Blvd., the corner of 44th Street, is the newest one to open in the city. It joins others like SilkLofts on Avenue E and Camelot at Bayonne downtown that bill themselves as luxury rentals seeking to attract a higher-end clientele.
The city’s housing stock is composed mostly of one- and two-family houses and some non-luxury apartment buildings.
Co-developer John Cali said he was happy to see the project completed after two years. Two consecutive bad winters and other construction-related problems were to blame for about a six-month delay.
“The city believed in me,” said Lance Lucarelli of The L Group. “We built this building and the people are ready. It’s the future of Bayonne. It’s going to be great for Bayonne.”
“He delivered,” Mayor James Davis said of Lucarelli. “And if this is what the future of Bayonne is, we’re in good hands.”
Bayonne Chamber of Commerce President Matt Dorans and chamber representatives Janet Coviello and Ben Costanza were among those who attended and touted the development as one that would help reinvigorate the city.
“Good luck; it’s absolutely magnificent,” Coviello said.
“It’s a sign of the things to come,” Costanza said.
Lucarelli and Cali developed the complex in an effort to lure young urban professionals working in Manhattan or northern New Jersey with incomes in the six figures.
“If this is what the future of Bayonne is, we’re in good hands.” – Mayor James Davis
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Park Bayonne has a number of amenities that this group seeks, according to Lucarelli, including a rooftop terrace, fitness center, all-purpose room, and storage area. The structure includes views of the Stephen R. Gregg County Park, Newark Bay, and the New York City skyline.
Lucarelli is also developing a nine-story residential building at 46th Street and Broadway, and Cali a 22-story residential tower on North Street next to the 8th Street Light Rail Station.
Third Ward Councilman Gary La Pelusa, who opposed Lucarelli’s 46th Street project because it’s on a block with one- and two-family homes, likes Park Bayonne.
“It’s a beautiful building and it fits very well on the boulevard across from the park,” he said. “It has a lot of amenities and will make a good addition to our town.”
Lucarelli said that studios would start at $1,900 a month, one-bedrooms at $2,225, two-bedrooms at $2,825, and three-bedrooms at $4,215.
A parking garage with about 70 spaces is also part of the complex.
Joseph Passantino may be reached at JoePass@hudsonreporter.com.