Construction Starts On Luxury Apartment Building In Belleville

BELLEVILLE, NJ — Shovels have hit the ground for the latest redevelopment project in Belleville.

Last week, developers and Belleville officials gathered for a ceremony at “The Kelsey,” an in-progress luxury apartment building at 740-748 Washington Avenue. When it’s complete, the six-story building will have 114 apartments, including 70 one-bedroom units and 44 studio apartments. It will also have about 1,200 square feet of ground-floor retail space, as well as amenities such as a rooftop pool, a gym and an outdoor terrace.

The site was previously home to a now-shuttered factory that was owned by Foam Rubber Fabricators. Construction is expected to be finished in 2024, according to a news release from Belleville township.

The Kelsey is part of Newark-based Sound Development LLC’s “Ethos” brand, which already includes a 56-unit apartment complex on Franklin Avenue in Belleville.

According to town officials, the building’s name pays homage to the site’s history as an assembly plant for the Kelsey Motor Co. beginning in 1920. The car company went bankrupt in 1924 after only 601 Kelseys were built.

“The lobby of our building is going to incorporate an industrial look as a nod to the site’s storied history,” Sound Development’s Michael Pacillo said.

The company is hoping to locate Kelsey Motor Company memorabilia such as photos and display them in the lobby, Pacillo said.

“We are very excited to see The Kelsey starting to take shape on Washington Avenue,” Mayor Michael Melham said, adding that his administration is seeking out additional development opportunities for Belleville that take advantage of the town’s “terrific location, mass transit and suburban feel.”

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