Archive for October, 2010


Crystal Point condos - Jersey City waterfront

Crystal Point condos - Jersey City waterfront

The New Jersey District Council of the Urban Land Institute (ULI-NNJ) has named the Jersey City waterfront development Crystal Point its 2010 “Project of the Year.” The high-rise condominium project, along with other winners of ULI-NNJ’s sixth annual Land Use Awards, will be honored at a December reception.

The awards recognize “leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities,” according to ULI-NNJ chair and Jersey City Redevelopment Agency executive director Robert Antonicello.

“Each of the award winners has taken steps beyond industry norms to advance goals of smart and sustainable development,” he says. “The winners show a commitment to successful development in New Jersey that is also mindful of societal goals.”

Crystal Point sits on 2nd Street at the Hudson River waterfront; the project caused a local stir when its developer, Fisher Development Associates, asked the city to sweeten its tax abatement last year. The City Council narrowly approved the move, which extended Fisher’s abatement an additional 10 years and reduced the percentage of revenue paid by almost half (to 10 percent) for the first five years.

The project’s goal is to “respect and enhance the livability and quality of life in the surrounding neighborhoods,” according to Brian Fisher, a principal of Fisher Development Associates. “[We wanted] to create a waterfront building that would be constructed responsibly, meet the city’s guidelines for the continued redevelopment of its downtown urban waterfront and kept the needs of the community-at-large in mind.”

Another Hudson County project is on the honoree list this year, with the newly opened Union City High School receiving the award for “Special Project of the Year.” Also being honored are Orange-based community developers HANDS, for its work on the Central Valley Redevelopment Arts Area; and Rutgers University dean James Hughes, who will receive the Edward J. Bloustein Award for Exemplary Achievement in Civic Leadership & Outstanding Educator of the Year. ULI-NNJ has not yet named the recipient of this year’s Public Official of the Year.

The cocktail reception honoring all award winners is slated for December 8, at 6 pm; at The Heldrich Hotel in New Brunswick. For more details on the event, click here.
http://www.jerseycityindependent.com…and-use-group/ Edit / Delete

 

Crystal Point condos - Jersey City waterfront

Crystal Point condos - Jersey City waterfront

 

 

JERSEY CITY, NJ — The New Jersey District Council of the Urban Land Institute (ULI-NNJ) has awarded Crystal Point its 2010 “Project of the Year” honor in recognition of the responsible development of the iconic 42-story waterfront condominium building rising on the final piece of developable land directly facing New York City on Jersey City’s Hudson River “Gold Coast.

The award will be presented to developer Fisher Development Associates during the annual Leadership in Land Use Awards this December at the Heldrich Hotel in New Brunswick, N.J.  Previous recipients of this prestigious award include Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa in Atlantic City and Pier Village on the oceanfront in Long Branch.

“The main goal when conceptualizing Crystal Point was to create a waterfront building that would be constructed responsibly, meet the City’s guidelines for the continued redevelopment of its downtown urban waterfront and kept the needs of the community-at-large in mind,” says Brian Fisher, a principal of Fisher Development Associates.  “It’s an honor to receive this award which signifies Crystal Point has achieved its goal to respect and enhance the livability and quality of life in the surrounding neighborhoods.”

“The award winners exemplify ULI’s mission to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities,” says Robert Antonicello, chair of the ULI-NNJ.  “Each of the award winners has taken steps beyond industry norms to advance goals of smart and sustainable development. The winners show a commitment to successful development in New Jersey that is also mindful of societal goals.”

The ULI “Project of the Year” Award is one of many industry accolades Crystal Point has received.  Earlier this year, Crystal Point received the prestigious Gold Award for “Community of the Year” during the 2010 National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) annual International Builders’ Show. Given by the National Sales and Marketing Council (NSMC), the celebrated achievement distinguishes the building as the best new attached home community in North America.

Crystal Point building takes upscale riverfront living on the Hudson River to the next level by providing forever New York City views and a myriad of five-star recreational and social amenities to create a hotel-inspired living environment. Prices for the one, two and three-bedroom residences range start in the mid-$500,000s.

Created by the renowned New York City architectural firm Gruzen Samton LLP, the distinctive design of the landmark Crystal Point building maximizes its unrivaled waterfront location and creates homes with modern, open and furnishable living areas.

“Unlike many high-rise developments which often seem cavernous with long hallways, we split the Crystal Point plan in half with elevators positioned in the middle of the residential floors to create short corridors and provide the building a very intimate feel,” says Jordan Gruzen (FAIA) of Gruzen Samton.  “We utilized multiple façade planes to break the building‘s mass up and ensure that every home had magnificent views.  Each condominium was designed so from the moment the front door of each home is opened one is aware of the views and the light emanating from the water.

“The layouts of the homes themselves often create large square rooms and sprawling living spaces that are open, airy and extremely functional.”

Crystal Point’s superb amenities include the Crystal Spa with a thermal bath, sauna, steam and treatment rooms.  Residents will also enjoy a yoga/aerobics room, state-of-the-art fitness center, lounge with flat screen televisions, game room with billiard and poker tables, children’s play room and a screening room within the Crystal Club.

“An outdoor deck overlooking the Hudson River features a sparkling pool, giant hot tub, private cabanas and lounge chair seating, as well as two BBQs and dining area, fire pits and a children’s play area,” says Adrienne Albert, CEO of The Marketing Directors, Inc., the building’s marketing and exclusive sales agent.  “The building also offers a professional concierge, valet parking and soon a lobby level restaurant.”

Crystal Point features a crystalline-style glass exterior and has been designed to maximize the building’s waterfront setting and views of the ever changing Manhattan skyline.   Inside, one-, two-and three bedroom homes range from 800 to 1,817 square-feet and offer an array of premium finishes.  Interior features include kitchens with Italian Pedini wood and glass cabinetry, sparkling quartzite counters, under-cabinet task lighting, full height pantries, islands with breakfast bars and a full Jenn-Air appliance suite. Residents also benefit from free on-site parking.

Homes at Crystal Point are made even more attractive thanks to a one of a kind, 30-year tax abatement that has been granted to the building which combines with very low common charges to make Crystal Point more affordable to buyers.

Crystal Point is conveniently located between the Paulus Hook and Newport sections of Jersey City and steps from PATH trains at both Exchange Place and Newport with direct access into New York City and a Light Rail station.

From the marketing Directors Inc.

Trump Plaza condos - Jersey City, Downtown

Trump Plaza condos - Jersey City, Downtown

Jersey City’s Trump tower condo sales on the rise | NJ.com.

President Obama has signed HR 3081, the bill that extends the higher loan amounts for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Housing
Administrations (FHA) programs to $729,750. These higher loan amounts will continue through 2011.
This will enable lenders to continue to offer better loan terms for many clients borrowing up to $729,750 into 2011 to avoid more costly, and many times tougher qualifying, jumbo loans.

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