The Beacon, Jersey City's Huge Residential Restoration Project

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed)
May 2nd 2010 at 8:01AM

Sarah Jessica Parker didn't shoot the May 2010 cover of Vogue Magazine in New York City. Instead she was at The Beacon in Jersey City, a collection of historic art deco buildings built in the 1930s which are being restored and transformed into an award-winning, luxury mixed-use development.

SJP's Vogue photo shoot took place in one of the community's yet-to-be-restored buildings, which she described as having both "perfectly wonderful amounts of neglect" and "great light." That neglect won't be around too much longer, two residential buildings at The Beacon have already been completed and are home to more than 550 residents, while work is underway on a third.

The project is atop Palisades Ridge near Jersey City's downtown district, The Beacon represents a $350 million conversion that is currently the largest residential restoration project in the country and the largest in the history of New Jersey. The historic grandeur of the buildings' interior spaces has been restored by refurbishing and preserving the original chandeliers, marble and terracotta flooring, brass elevator door surrounds and windows. The Art Deco landmark also boasts nice views of the New York City skyline.

Mercury Lofts is a a full-service, 17-story building with 25 half- or full-floor residences with layouts ranging from 2,994 to 6,665 square feet of living space. Lofts have 13-foot-high ceilings, polished cement floors, exposed spiral ductwork and large windows. Some homes have outdoor terraces. The residences are priced from $925,000.

Amenities at The Beacon include an indoor pool, Grotto lounge with hot tubs, his/her saunas and steam, social sauna and treatment rooms; a yoga studio, fitness center, lounge screening room, children's playroom, restored Art Deco theater/event space, a rooftop sundeck, poker room and a billiards hall. Residents can also take advantage of White Glove services like valet parking and convenient shuttle service to PATH trains and ferries to Manhattan.

Mercury Lofts homeowners also have access to a private two-acre lawn featuring an organic community garden, outdoor children's play area, jogging and exercise areas and a dog run. Work is also underway on "Prohibition at the Beacon," a speakeasy-themed bar and lounge for its members-only residents, and BeKids at The Beacon, (thebeaconkids.com), 66,000 square feet of existing space which is being converted into a unique children's destination including an early childhood education center, gymnastics and sports camps, a kids-oriented family restaurant and more.

Tags: jersey city, lofts, new jersey, the beacon