A key corner of Jersey City’s McGinley Square is preparing for a major transformation as plans move forward to breathe new life into a stretch of long-vacant historic buildings. The Jersey City Planning Board has given its approval for a restoration and expansion project at 712-714 Bergen Avenue — a development set to blend history, modern living, and fresh retail opportunities in one of the city’s most architecturally rich corridors.
The site, located where Bergen Avenue meets Fairmount Avenue, is composed of three adjoining historic structures that have stood empty for years. Now, under the direction of Estate Capital Group LLC, these buildings will be revitalized and connected through an ambitious adaptive reuse plan designed by the acclaimed Piro Studio of Clark, New Jersey. The project will not only restore the original facades but also introduce a fifth-floor addition, effectively linking all three properties into a single mixed-use complex.
The updated plan expands upon an earlier proposal from 2022, which initially called for a four-story, 27-unit residential building. That earlier iteration even saw framing work begin in 2024 before being paused as the development team refined their vision. With the latest approval, the new plan will elevate the structure to five stories, bringing the total to 36 modern apartments and a ground-floor retail component designed to activate the Bergen Avenue streetscape.
The mixed-use development will feature four retail storefronts totaling approximately 6,700 square feet — a welcome addition for a neighborhood seeing renewed attention from both residents and businesses. These spaces are expected to attract cafes, boutiques, and local enterprises that contribute to McGinley Square’s growing energy as a live-work community.
Above the street level, the residential layout will include 4 studio apartments, 16 one-bedroom units, and 16 two-bedroom homes, each designed to meet modern expectations for comfort and convenience while respecting the surrounding architectural character. The project did not include an affordable housing component in its current version, though its restoration of historic properties and addition of retail vitality are being viewed as important contributions to local revitalization.
The new building will reach just under 58 feet in height, requiring a single variance for height, which the Planning Board granted unanimously. The approval is expected to reignite construction momentum at a site that has sat dormant despite its early start. Once completed, the development promises to stand as a testament to Jersey City’s ongoing balance between preservation and progress — where history is not erased, but enhanced.
Projects like this have become increasingly central to Jersey City’s real estate evolution, with developers seeking to honor the city’s architectural heritage while meeting the growing demand for housing and community-focused retail. McGinley Square, in particular, is emerging as one of the city’s next key residential and commercial hubs — positioned between the cultural heartbeat of Journal Square and the residential neighborhoods to the south.
As the restoration at 712 Bergen Avenue takes shape, it joins a wave of development initiatives that reflect the city’s broader commitment to revitalization without losing sight of its historic soul. For more updates on New Jersey real estate trends and transformative urban developments like this one, visit Explore New Jersey’s Real Estate section.
