Demolition Begins At Essex House Site In West Orange, Apartment Building Proposed

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Demolition has been taking place at the former site of a restaurant in West Orange this week, where a mixed-use building with apartments is being proposed.

A demolition permit has been issued for 525 Northfield Avenue, which is located near St. Cloud Elementary School and the South Mountain Recreation Complex. The site was formerly home to the Essex House restaurant.

A construction official with the township said the contractor has complied with all 12 demolition requirements for the permit, including the removal of asbestos and contacting nearby property owners about the work.

Developers are proposing the construction of a four-story, mixed-use building with 1,200 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor and 95 residential apartment units on the upper floors – 19 of which would be affordable housing. The project would include 165 off-street parking spaces.

Some concerns about the proposal have included the number of variances requested, several of which involve the town’s steep slope ordinance, as well as the building’s height and potential traffic impacts.

See an architectural schematic design here, and view site plans here.

A hearing for the proposed building was scheduled for the West Orange Planning Board meeting on Wednesday, but the applicant requested that it be moved to the board’s Nov. 4 meeting due to the length of the agenda.

• Related: 95-Unit Apartment Building Proposed At Site Of Shuttered Restaurant
• Related: Future Of Essex House Property Is Still Unwritten, Town Officials Say
• Related: End Of An Era In West Orange Railroading History: Iconic Car Begins New Journey

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