Real estate firm Kushner is rolling ahead with a $1 billion multifamily project in the Journal Square area of Jersey City, New Jersey, a development that was stalled for several years because of litigation between the real estate firm and the town’s mayor.
The New York-based company has broken ground on One Journal Square, a two-tower project set to have more than 2 million square feet of residential, retail, amenities, parking and open space in the heart of the historic 100-year-old neighborhood. The development's plans call for 1,723 apartment units, 45,000 square feet of amenities, and 40,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space that has been fully pre-leased.
One Journal Square was designed to have two 64-story glass towers that offer views of the Hudson River, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and downtown Manhattan. The entire development is expected to be completed in 2026.
The project has been in the works for years, but its progress was halted when a dispute erupted between Kushner and Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, sparking litigation. In 2018 Kushner, which was once led by then-President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kusher, sued the city and mayor alleging that local officials were derailing One Journal Square out of political animus.
Kushner’s lawsuit accused Jersey City officials, especially Fulop, of meting out politically motivated punishment to the real estate firm because of its connection to Trump and Jared Kushner. Jared, married to Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump, had served as chief executive of Kushner, but he stepped down from that position after he became Trump’s senior adviser in 2017. Fulop, who denied the allegations, is a Democrat and Jersey City is a stronghold for that political party.
In October 2020, Kushner and the city settled the lawsuit, clearing the way for the project to go forward.
The complex will be located 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.
Kushner officials held a ground-breaking ceremony this week, which Fulop attended.
“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,” Kushner CEO Laurent Morali said in a statement. “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.”
The complex’s amenities will include an Olympic-size indoor pool, a cold-plunge pool and whirlpool spa, sauna and steam rooms, bowling alley, golf simulator, multiple lounges, coworking space, chef’s kitchen, and a kid’s club. It will also feature a fitness center, yoga/multipurpose room, spin-cycle suite, full-size indoor basketball court, a rock-climbing wall and a squash court. Its outdoor spaces will include two landscaped rooftop terraces and an outdoor lounge pool with a hot tub.
One Journal Square is adjacent to 25 Journal Square, where the world-renowned Parisian art museum, Centre De Pompidou, is opening a North American satellite, Pompidou x Jersey City, in a partnership with the city.