Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop and fellow municipal officials recently joined principals of KRE Group and National Real Estate Advisors to celebrate the completion of the game-changing Journal Squared development. This event marked the culmination of a decade-long effort that has played a pivotal role in revitalizing Journal Square, reestablishing it as the heartbeat of Jersey City pulsing with new energy and opportunities for economic growth. The third and final 60-story tower now stands alongside its two predecessors, completing the $900 million, 2.3 million-square-foot project that has redefined the city’s skyline.
Prominently positioned above the Journal Square Transportation Center, Journal Squared has become a cornerstone in the area’s transformation. Over the past decade, it has spurred renewed interest and significant investment in the historic neighborhood, resulting in thousands of new residences, retail spaces, and public areas.
Now fully realized, the development encompasses 1,840 rental residences across three towers —soaring 53, 60, and 68 stories into the skyline — along with more than 100,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor amenities. In addition, 36,000 square feet of street-level retail is integrated into the vibrant Magnolia Landing plaza, which features the neighborhood’s first supermarket. Created by the developers, Magnolia Landing serves as a neighborhood food hub, showcasing a diverse array of culinary operators while also hosting events such as farmers markets, live performances, and cultural gatherings that further foster a sense of community and connection.
KRE Group and National broke ground on Journal Squared in 2014, just as city officials, led by Mayor Fulop, began championing initiatives to revitalize Journal Square and attract development interest beyond Jersey City’s booming waterfront. The successful leasing of the project’s first tower confirmed the neighborhood’s potential and ignited ongoing development in the area.
Jonathan Kushner, President of KRE Group, stated, “We’re incredibly proud of the community we’ve built here and the role it has played in revitalizing Journal Square. Journal Squared has drawn thousands of residents who embrace the neighborhood’s unique character and culture while enjoying an unparalleled lifestyle. As we celebrate the completion of the final tower, we look forward to continuing to enhance this vibrant community.”
“Journal Squared is a testament to National’s commitment to building sustainable, community-centered developments nationwide” said Jeffrey Kanne, President and CEO of National Real Estate Advisors. “More than a decade ago, we set out to create a vibrant hub of convenience, connectivity, and thoughtfully designed living spaces. Today, we are proud to see that vision fully realized.”
An Iconic Presence on the Skyline
The distinctive façade of Journal Squared — featuring white metal panels and punched windows — has become an iconic presence on Jersey City’s skyline. Its visibility extends for miles from both sides of the Hudson River and serves as a recognizable landmark for those flying into the region, signaling the gateway to the New York metro area.
“It really took a special developer to actually see what was possible here at the time,” said Mayor Fulop, lauding KRE’s vision for the neighborhood. “We had all of this transportation infrastructure, but the reality of 2012, 2013, is that all of the development was on the waterfront. People were a little cautious about venturing away. And then to think about this big building and the amount of capital they were willing to invest here, it was really something transformational for the state of New Jersey. Then you fast forward 10 years and you drive around these streets in Journal Square, I am very proud, and I think all of you should be proud, because there isn’t a place in the United States of America with this much development in three square blocks. If you think about what it is going to be in five years, it really will be the heartbeat of Jersey City, if not the heartbeat of New Jersey.”
Leasing is already thriving at the final tower, which introduces 598 new rental residences. The Marketing Directors, which has overseen leasing for all three buildings, reports strong demand, mirroring the record-setting velocity of the first two towers.
“Journal Squared set a new standard for luxury living in Jersey City, and the exceptional leasing success across all three towers speaks to the appeal of this unique community,” said Jacqueline Urgo, President of The Marketing Directors. “This final phase continues to attract renters drawn to its outstanding amenities, connectivity, and the energy of Journal Square.”
Forward-Thinking Amenities
Designed by Handel Architects and Hollwich Kushner, the final tower offers an impressive array of creative-themed amenities. Residents enjoy a Performance Lounge with bleacher seating, a soundproof Recording Studio, a Karaoke Lounge, a Boxing Gym, and a Sky Lounge with a wet bar and sweeping views. Additional curated spaces, including a stylish Lobby Café & Lounge, elevate the resident experience.
These new amenities complement existing shared spaces across the development, including a Fitness Center, Yoga Studio, indoor Bouldering wall, Library, multiple co-working lounges and conference rooms, private screening rooms, and a Digital Game Lounge. The development also offers a 24-hour attended lobby, package concierge, indoor parking, monthly events, and pet-friendly services.
Unmatched Connectivity
Situated at the gateway to the Journal Square Transportation Center, Journal Squared provides residents with unrivaled access to PATH trains, NJ Transit, and bus lines, making it one of the region’s most well-connected residential communities. Its connectivity, combined with vibrant public spaces and curated retail offerings, has helped Journal Square reclaim its status as Jersey City’s thriving urban core.
For more information on Journal Squared and to arrange a private visit to experience the building’s furnished model homes and amenities, please visit www.journalsquared.com or call 201.659.7100.
About Kushner Real Estate Group
Founded in 1979 and headquartered in Jersey City, NJ, KRE Group is a full-service real estate investment and management company with properties in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The KRE multi-family portfolio exceeds 15,000 existing apartments, with thousands more in various stages of approval and construction. The company also owns and manages more than 6,000,000 square feet of office, warehouse, and retail space. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.thekregroup.com.
About National Real Estate Advisors
National Real Estate Advisors, LLC (“National”) is an investment manager developing, operating, and managing commercial real estate projects across the United States.
National’s mission is to create lasting value through projects that produce solid, long-term returns for our clients while improving the communities in which we invest and develop.
Since 2000, National’s investment team has been constructing investment portfolios of diverse property assets — primarily multifamily, data centers, office, healthcare, and medical buildings. National manages separate accounts and multiple commingled investment vehicles, including a data center fund. National seeks to create value for investors by adhering to a rigorous investment process and development principles guided by profits, integrity, community, and collaboration.
National is an independently operated subsidiary of the National Electrical Benefit Fund (“NEBF”), a pension trust with assets that are managed by National on a discretionary basis. For more information, please visit www.natadvisors.com.
About The Marketing Directors
The Marketing Directors is a renowned development advisory firm with over forty years of experience working exclusively on behalf of real estate developers to design, market, and sell residential homes. The Marketing Directors team is a collective of strategic thinkers, market experts, and trusted partners. Headquartered in New York with offices and sales teams active across North America, The Marketing Directors has helped clients successfully sell-out hundreds of new developments accounting for more than $30 billion in total sales. www.themarketingdirectorsinc.com.
