WEST ORANGE, NJ — The industrial-to-residential redevelopment of the historic Edison Battery building and property in West Orange is under way, according to an April 22 press release from Prism Capital Partners. The Bloomfield-based real estate owner plans to introduce 333 rental units, 18,400 square feet of retail and a 630-space parking structure in Phase I of Edison Village.
The project represents the largest non-waterfront adaptive-reuse redevelopment project in New Jersey. Edison Village encompasses 21 acres on Main Street, in the heart of West Orange’s downtown. The site is bounded to the west by the historic Llewellyn Park, one of New Jersey’s premier gated communities. The newly refurbished Edison National Historic Site and museum also is located adjacent to the property.
Phase I of Edison Village involves the total renovation and reconstruction of the 100-year-old factory complex.
“Since industrial structures of this type are few and far between in suburban New Jersey, Edison Village represents a truly distinctive project,” Prism principal partner Eugene Diaz said in the release. “The design, by Minno & Wasko Architects and Planners, takes advantage of existing architectural features to incorporate ceiling heights ranging from 14 to 16 feet and 10-foot replica replacement windows that will let in abundant natural light.”
According to West Orange Business Administrator Jack Sayers, the redevelopers are currently completing internal demolition of the building, removing windows and elevator shafts. Sayers told the Chronicle in an April 25 phone conversation that the redeveloper is expected to begin footing for the garage — which will be in the wide open area on the property outside the building — in mid-May or the end of May.
However, each time the Chronicle has passed by the building, there have been no visible workers or work vans.
Phase 2 of the project will incorporate 230 townhouses. An additional 20,000 square feet of retail could include an urban grocery concept. A mid-2018 opening is anticipated.
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