When demand for suburban office space is soft, what do you do with an underperforming office park sitting above a 50% vacancy rate?
The Township of West Orange, NJ answered that question in 2024 by introducing new housing, a brand-new public library, and new public dog park to a former office park near walkable shopping, dining and entertainment. The project also preserved 130,000 SF of recently renovated office space.
What was once 400,000 square feet of office space, subject to the swings of single market downturns, is now a thriving “live/work/play” neighborhood that can serve as a national model for revitalizing and repurposing stagnant real estate in suburban areas.
West Orange partnered with developer BNE Real Estate Group to complete the mixed-use project. BNE built the housing component of the project, Stonehill at West Orange, as well as the two-acre public dog park. Stonehill introduced 423 luxury rental residences and 44,000 SF of lifestyle amenities to a hilltop location at 1000 Executive Drive in West Orange. The community opened in April and has attracted hundreds of renters to date, including record leasing velocity in October and November. The West Orange Dog Park opened in May.
Joining Stonehill and the dog park is the new West Orange Public Library, which opened in December, 2023. Housed inside a renovated and repurposed office building, the new library offers more than 32,000 square feet of space, including 7,000 square feet dedicated to community use, and more than 300 parking spaces. It is a major improvement over the township’s previous library, which offered 25,000 square feet of space and only 32 parking spaces. It allows the previous library to be converted into affordable senior housing and a community center with branch library services.
The property’s transformation dovetails with national real estate trends. Moody’s Analytics issued a report at the beginning of the year that stated nearly 20% of the nation’s office space is now vacant, a figure that was backed up by a more recent report. West Orange Township’s approach to the problem called for pragmatic, diversified use of the land, one that benefits a variety of constituencies, including renters, office workers, library patrons, dog owners, local businesses and taxpayers.
It’s the type of project BNE Real Estate Group has a track record of executing successfully. In the past two years alone, the company introduced The Ivy at Chatham, a collection of 245 luxury residences on a formerly industrial property in eastern Morris County, and Station Bay, a 291-unit luxury rental community in South Amboy, NJ, that has spurred new economic growth on the city’s waterfront, boosted its rail ridership, and ushered in a new commuter ferry station next door, with daily service to Manhattan.
“We saw developing Stonehill as an opportunity to deliver a next-level residential community to this exciting new neighborhood in West Orange,” said Jonathan Schwartz, Partner at BNE Real Estate Group. “Our vision was to combine the creature comforts of home with the lifestyle perks of a five-star resort, all in an ideal location near shopping, dining and entertainment options. The property is truly one-of-a-kind, and with Stonehill as its signature element, it is a successful example of what a municipality and a developer can achieve when working together to revitalize a property for modern uses.”
Located at 1000 Executive Drive, Stonehill is right next to the Essex Green Town Center, which was recently renovated while adding a full roster of national and local retail brands, popular restaurants, and entertainment venues. It is home to 26 new retail businesses, including ShopRite, Starbucks, Petco, Panera, Total Wine & More, and AMC Dine-In Theatres.
Minno & Wasko Architects and Planner designed Stonehill’s three architecturally alluring buildings, with interiors envisioned by Mary Cook Associates. Finishes and features include soaring 9 to 10-foot ceilings, oversized windows, modern plank flooring, stainless-steel appliances, and shaker cabinetry accented by quartz countertops.
Part of what makes the Stonehill lifestyle so special is the array of amenities and services residents enjoy. The community offers not just one, but two onsite lifestyle clubs, where residents can discover multiple social lounges, fitness centers, and entertainment zones that BNE Real Estate Group thoughtfully crafted to take their free time to the next level. Amenities include 24/7 concierge service, an outdoor swimming pool with private cabanas, multiple co-working lounges with private offices, an indoor and outdoor movie lounge, poker and card rooms, virtual sports simulators, multiple fitness studios with commercial-grade cardio and weight-training equipment, private dining rooms, pet spas, a kid’s playroom, outdoor BBQs and firepits, scenic walking trails, and more. Private garage parking and complimentary shuttle service to NJ transit is also available.
One- and two-bedroom residences are available at Stonehill, at monthly rental rates starting from the $2,300s. Dens and private balconies are available in select residences. Prospective residents can schedule a private tour by visiting www.LiveAtStonehill.com or calling 973-567-3553.
ABOUT BNE REAL ESTATE GROUP
With over 70 years of real estate development experience, BNE Real Estate Group is a national, family-owned organization that is firmly committed to creating exceptional living experiences for its residents. Its distinguished portfolio of properties includes the development of tens of thousands of homes, more than 1 million square feet of commercial space, and the ownership and ongoing management of nearly 9,000 apartments, with communities stretching from the Tri-state area south to Florida, and west to Texas. For more information on
BNE Real Estate Group, visit www.LifebyBNE.com.
