The long-abandoned pasta factory at 180 Baldwin Avenue finally looks set for a dramatic transformation. After almost a decade of sitting empty, the former C.F. Mueller Pasta Company property is on track to become one of Journal Square’s most ambitious mixed-use communities.
Picture this: six soaring towers, thousands of new apartments, and a public plaza that could reshape a key gateway into Jersey City’s urban core. It’s a big swing for the neighborhood.
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A New Skyline for Journal Square’s Eastern Edge
The Jersey City Planning Board gave preliminary approval to a proposal from 180 Baldwin Avenue LLC, a subsidiary of Dvora and Shuster Management, to redevelop the six-acre industrial site into a modern high-rise complex. The site sits within the Journal Square 2060 Redevelopment Plan area and the Palisade Preservation Overlay District.
The project aims to turn a blighted stretch into a dense, transit-oriented neighborhood. Each of the six planned towers would rise 27 stories and reach nearly 293 feet, extending the high-rise cluster forming around Journal Square.
For longtime residents who remember the aroma of pasta drifting from the C.F. Mueller plant, the shift from factory floors to glass-and-steel towers marks a generational change in land use along the Palisades.
2,000+ New Apartments and a Mix of Unit Types
The development will bring a big wave of housing: 2,088 residential units spread across the six towers. The unit mix leans heavily toward smaller households, with:
The focus on studios and one-bedrooms matches market demand around Journal Square and the site’s proximity to transit, jobs, and schools. But it does make you wonder—who, exactly, will all these new apartments serve?
Phased Construction and a New Pedestrian Plaza
Construction is set to roll out in six phases, kicking off near the corner of Baldwin Avenue and Academy Street. The plan is to build out across the property gradually.
This phased approach should help limit disruption and bring new residents and retail into the neighborhood in manageable waves. One standout design feature is a new pedestrian-oriented plaza threading between the towers.
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It’s meant to be a public heart for the project, not just a private courtyard for residents.
Retail, Green Space, and a Carousel
Four of the towers—including the first three—will include ground-floor retail space, plus four small retail kiosks lining the plaza. The idea is to create an active, walkable environment at street level, with storefronts and kiosks that support daily life.
The plaza itself is planned as a family-friendly zone with green spaces, a children’s play area, and even a carousel. That’s a quirky, old-world touch in a thoroughly modern development.
Because the site slopes, parts of the plaza will sit on a suspended platform. That adds some engineering challenges but also gives the space a unique, tiered look as it steps down the hill.
Office Space, Parking, and Amenities
Housing is the main focus, but the project also aims to serve as a job center and amenity hub. Each of the six towers will have office space on the lower floors, tapping into the city’s push to restore Journal Square as a commercial anchor.
Altogether, there’s about 114,000 square feet of office space planned across the first three floors of each building. That’s possible thanks to a bonus in the Journal Square 2060 Redevelopment Plan, which encourages mixed-use rather than just residential towers.
Parking, Bikes, and Rooftop Greenery
Parking and mobility are big factors here. The project will have a garage with 658 car spaces and a whopping 1,216 bicycle parking spots.
Clearly, there’s an expectation that a lot of residents will bike or use transit instead of driving. Below-ground levels will house amenities like gyms and pools.
Above, each building is set to feature rooftop decks and green roofs. These landscaped outdoor spaces could help with stormwater management and ease the heat-island effect, while giving residents some pretty stunning views over the Hudson and Manhattan skyline.
No Affordable Housing—and What That Means
Despite the project’s size and high-profile location, the proposal includes no affordable housing units. That’s a hot topic in Jersey City right now—how do you balance private development and market-rate construction with the need for income-restricted housing?
Advocates see the lack of affordability in a 2,000-unit complex as a glaring missed opportunity. Developers say it reflects the economics of high-rise construction and the rules in place when they proposed it.
Right now, the plan has cleared the preliminary approval stage. Final Planning Board approval is still needed before construction can begin.
What This Means for Jersey City’s Future
The rebirth of 180 Baldwin Avenue fits into a bigger story. Journal Square’s returning as a major residential and commercial center, and Jersey City keeps evolving into a dense, transit-connected urban hub.
New towers are rising near the PATH and along the Palisades. The old industrial landscape is quietly shifting, making room for vertical neighborhoods.
Each new development brings pressure to infrastructure, schools, and transit. At the same time, they add vibrancy, more retail, and public spaces that people actually use.
For visitors and newcomers, a project like this will eventually influence everything from Jersey City hotels and short-term stays to how folks decide where to stay in Jersey City if they want fast access to Manhattan and a lively local scene.
As the Baldwin Avenue site adds its plaza, carousel, and ground-floor shops, it’ll expand the list of things to do in Jersey City beyond the usual waterfront and downtown spots. That’s something a lot of locals and newcomers have been hoping for.
If you’re exploring new city districts, thinking about a move, or figuring out getting to Jersey City via PATH, buses, or bike, keep an eye on 180 Baldwin Avenue. This former pasta plant’s about to become a major piece of the city’s next chapter—one that just might ripple out across neighborhoods, businesses, and the whole Jersey City story.
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Here is the source article for this story: Jersey City Moves Forward with Six Tower, 2,000-Unit Plan on Baldwin Avenue
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