Jersey City approves high-rise at 829 Bergen Ave.

A long, narrow parcel of land in Journal Square has housed a vacant building for years that is slated to be transformed into a new rental building that will attract more residents to the growing Jersey City neighborhood.

At its May 21 meeting, the Jersey City Planning Commission voted 5-1-1 to approve the application for 829 Bergen Avenue. The property is owned by a subsidiary of GN Management, which has developed a number of projects in Jersey City, including the Singh Building.

The site is a long, narrow plot of land measuring approximately 6,800 square feet and is adjacent to the Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George and St. Shenouda. The two-story brick building on the land was built in 1940 and was once home to the Samuel Reynolds Glass Company, although it has been vacant in recent times.

The plans, drawn up by Hoboken-based MVMK Architecture + Design, would completely demolish the existing building and replace it with an 11-story building that would top out at 122 feet. The building would be distinctly modern compared to its surroundings, with a split-level design and some apartments featuring outdoor balcony space.

The complex will have a total of 77 apartments, including 30 studios, 27 one-bedroom apartments, 19 two-bedroom apartments and one three-bedroom apartment. Four apartments (5% of the total number of apartments) will be used as affordable housing.

As a compromise based on community feedback, the plan adds off-street parking, replacing the retail space in the original proposal. The underground garage will be able to accommodate 20 vehicles through a stacking system.

The project features a residents’ lounge on the first floor, a 1,500-square-foot public roof deck and 550 square feet of indoor rooftop amenities on the top of the building. The remainder of the building is topped by a 1,700-square-foot green roof.

The exterior of the project will feature a combination of ACM panels, cement board and hard-surface “cobblestone.” The Planning Commission approved development variances related to a minimum lot area, minimum lot width and minimum front yard setback for the property.

A construction start date for the project has not yet been announced. GN Management has been busy planning its next steps. approve Last month, construction began on a 10-storey senior housing building in The Heights.