Former Newark Bears Stadium Site Will Become High-Rise Apartments

NEWARK, NJ — The Newark Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium site in Essex County is continuing its transformation into high-rise apartment and retail buildings.

On Monday, the project’s developer Lotus Equity Group announced the names of the four architecture firms that are leading the charge to construct up to 2,000 residential units and 400,000-square feet of office space in the Broad Street Station section of downtown Newark.

The firms are the Practice for Architecture and Urbanism (PAU), Michael Green Architecture (MGA), TEN Arquitectos and Minno & Wasko Architects and Planners.

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Lotus purchased the site from the Essex County Improvement Authority, which owned and managed the stadium for the city of Newark and Essex County, for a price tag of $23.5 million. It was the home of the Newark Bears until the franchise folded in 2013.

The developer aims to start construction sometime next year, Bloomberg.com reported.

• See related article: Newark Bears Stadium Sold For $23.5M To Developer

Lotus provided the below artist’s rendering of the new developments.

Each of the four architecture firms offered comment about the project:

• PAU - “We feel deeply privileged to be part of Newark’s renaissance under the leadership of the Lotus Equity Group and the City of Newark. The entire project will set a global benchmark in groundbreaking design that builds upon the vibrant communities that already define one of the most culturally and historically significant cities on the Eastern seaboard.”
• MGA – “Our team is honored to be part of such a talented group of innovative, forward thinking design leaders. We are inspired by projects that contribute to the growth, health, and development of their communities. This redevelopment plan aspires to infuse Newark with a lively, active, and vibrant heart.”
• TEN Arquitectos (Enrique Norten, director and founder) – “I am interested in this project for many reasons, but very specially for the opportunities that it gives us to explore new models of urban living in conditions of density, and public space as an extension and a complement of the residential environment, blurring interior and exterior and private and public.”
• Minno & Wasko Architects and Planners – “As a firm, Minno & Wasko is proud to be part of the redevelopment of the Newark Bears Stadium site, contributing to the vibrant urban experience of downtown Newark. Through collaboration with the outstanding team of Lotus Equity, the design team and other professionals, we aspire to further our commitment to create quality civic space and buildings that foster a new sense of place.”

Ben Korman, Lotus Equity Group’s founder, is also the operating partner of C&K Properties, the longstanding owner of 2 Gateway Center, Newark’s largest office building.

• See related article: Should New Sports Stadiums Get Federal Tax Breaks?

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Main file photo of Bears Stadium courtesy of Impact Consulting Enterprises