The influential Exchange Place Alliance has unveiled its new 900-square-foot office at the border of two key neighborhoods in downtown Jersey City.

Located at 239 Washington St., the space is part of the former Provident Bank headquarters and provides direct access to both the Exchange Place and Paulus Hook sections of the city. The economic growth and business improvement organization is leasing the space from the Punia Co., under a three-year deal with a further option to extend.

“Exchange Place is now a dynamic hub of events and community programming,” said Elizabeth Cain, the alliance’s executive director. “As the organization — and neighborhood — grows we needed to expand our office capacity, especially returning to the office post-pandemic.”

Between Hudson and Greene streets on Columbus Drive in Jersey City, a food truck was surrounded by a small crowd of people during lunch hour, the aromatic and mouthwatering smell of Indian food emanating from the small window.

Three Jersey City business leaders with deep ties to the community have been appointed to the Exchange Place Alliance (EPA) board of directors, succeeding three retiring members.

Developers Joe Panepinto and Abe Naparstek and real estate investor David Elkouby are joining the alliance at an important time.

Cushman & Wakefield secured two more leases at 10 Exchange Place in Jersey City — a renewal for EXL and the addition of insurance company Fortitude.

The commercial real estate services firm announced Jan. 31 it arranged the deals, which total 35,240 square feet at the waterfront office property. Executive Director David DeMatteis, Managing Director Nicholas Dysenchuk and Executive Vice Chair Robert Lowe represented the landlord, Manulife US REIT, in the transactions. The property is managed by Manulife Investment Management.

Jersey City’s rebirth is not just about skylines and brownstones. Many of the city’s public spaces are undergoing improvements that will be long lasting and further integrate into the neighborhood fabric. Coming out of the pandemic, these parks and alternative public spaces are vital to making Jersey City a complete live, work and play environment as we have seen this year.

A great example is at Exchange Place. While much attention has been given to the preservation of the Katyn Memorial and the construction of a new plaza, there is so much more happening to reinvigorate the neighborhood.

Cain is shepherding through the complete renovation of the Exchange Place plaza to create a broader sense of community in downtown Jersey City. The Alliance’s focus on arts and culture community programming includes a recent $250,000 donation to Nimbus Arts Center to complete its space and new signage along the Hudson River walkway.

The Exchange Place Alliance (EPA) posted changes to the plan, opening up the view around the Katyn monument, a 34-foot-tall statue depicting a bound-and-gagged soldier impaled in the back by a bayoneted rifle.

In conjunction with the purchase, Taconic and HEI were successful in assuming a $100 million fixed-rate CMBS mortgage with ample remaining term. The hotel was completed in 2002 and more than $15 million in subsequent upgrades have been performed since 2010. Major enhancements to the guestrooms, food and beverage outlets and event spaces are expected to commence under the new ownership.

The Exchange Place pedestrian plaza construction site in Jersey City on Tuesday. When the $5.5 million project is complete, the mall will be closed to vehicles and have seats and tables. The Katyn Memorial will be surrounded by flowers, trees, grass, and seating in the form of benches.

New Jersey is known for its suburban sprawl, but, as we have seen over the last two decades, development patterns in the state have dramatically changed. The shift from homes to apartment living is striking, as transit villages and the rebirth of our cities is a phenomenon that few predicted. Yet, here we are.

Jersey City and Hoboken were the first out of the blocks, and many other cities, from Newark to Bayonne, New Brunswick to Morristown and beyond, have followed. Certainly, the rapid growth in Jersey City is well-heralded. In fact, according to data analyzed by storagecafe.com, Jersey City saw more multifamily construction in its downtown than any other city on the East Coast. Nationally, Jersey City placed eighth, just ahead of Brooklyn.

“The Urby tower’s staggered profile and stature as the tallest residential building in the state at the time transformed Jersey City’s skyline when it opened for leasing in 2017.

The tower has stood alone since then, though. The original plan called for a total of three towers, but the progress stalled on the other two.

Now, work is in progress to get approval to build the Urby tower’s two partners.”

“The biggest Fourth of July celebration in New Jersey, by far, happened in Jersey City Monday night.

Over 100,000 people were expected at Exchange Place for the concert and fireworks.”

“Renovation work is complete on the three-building Harborside complex along the downtown Jersey City waterfront. Designed by Elkus Manfredi Architects and developed by Mack-Cali Realty Corporation and SJP Properties, the project involved the re-cladding and interior refurbishment of the commercial office structures, which occupy a long rectangular parcel bound by Harborside Place to the north, Hudson Street to the west, and Christopher Columbus Drive to the south. The overhaul was planned to cost around $75 million and achieve LEED Gold certification.”

“The largest office space lease in Jersey City since 2020 was recently signed by, which is part of the 3.2 million-square-foot Harborside campus.

The long-term lease encompasses 130,000 square feet of office space of the 10-story, Class A building, which has approximately 750,000 rentable square feet of office space. Owned by Veris Residential Inc. (formerly Mack-Cali & Roseland Residential), Harborside A is situated adjacent to Exchange Place PATH station and offers easy access to a variety of transport options.”

“There has been extensive debate regarding the renovation of Exchange Place Plaza for many years from many sides. That is now changing based on the Planning Board’s 5-0 approval this week. Residents, visitors and businesses in and around Exchange Place correctly expect the plaza to be improved to the dynamic standard of the entire neighborhood and realize the potential of our beautiful waterfront. However, all progress is a series of compromises. Many people held vastly different views as to what the plaza should be. For example, green space vs. the ability to host large public gatherings, safety concerns, new amenities for the growing population, pedestrian vs. vehicular access and, lastly, how to appropriately incorporate the Katyn Memorial into the plaza.”