The Connell Company said March 9 that after unanimous approval from the Berkeley Heights Town Council, it has received rezoning approval to expand its ambitious reimagining of The Park.
Now in the midst of a $400-million redevelopment, the 185-acre work-life campus will deliver wellness and concierge services across flexible workspaces, experiential dining, bespoke fitness amenities, and hospitality and residential offerings.
The Connell Company is focused on positioning The Park to help the campus’ business community attract top-tier talent with services and amenities unavailable anywhere else in the Northeast. The campus is already a popular regional destination that includes the offices of companies such as L’Oreal, Celgene, and Samsung; as well as a 176-room Embassy Suites hotel, Grain & Cane Restaurant, Life Time Fitness, outdoor walking and jogging trails, and Round Table Studios — a 40,000-square-foot coworking space that offers a curated selection of thoughtfully designed workstations, private offices, and community spaces.
With its new zoning in place, Connell Company is set to begin construction this year on a pedestrian-focused, urban-style development at The Park called The District, plans include more than 300 apartments along with experiential retail and entertainment offerings that will connect person to place. Entertainment and dining options will include duckpin bowling, a Southern California-style taco stand, a brewery and beer garden with rooftop event space, a dog park and athletic fields, and an additional 30,000 square feet of retail space.
“For decades, The Connell Company has been a proud, committed partner to Berkeley Heights,” said The Connell Company Executive Vice President Shane Connell. “With The Park, we’re doubling down on that commitment to the local community — and the regional workforce at large — with the introduction of publicly accessible parkland; a mixed-use residential and experiential retail district; and a host of unique hospitality-inspired amenities that promote wellness, fitness, and the work-from-anywhere experience.”
Amidst the challenges wrought by the COVID-19 crisis, the ambitious reinvention of The Park is an acknowledgment that health, wellness, and an authentic connection to nature play a dominant role in the holistic satisfaction of each of our lives.
As its name suggests, one of the central features of The Park is its lush and purpose-driven outdoor spaces. The campus boasts a vast tract of fully accessible parkland that includes miles of walking trails, stadium-style seating, benches for breakout sessions, and powered and WiFi-connected workstations.
Working alongside Shane Connell, NYC-based designer David Sullivan spearheads The Park’s re-imagination, which includes the newly opened Round Table Studios within 200 Connell Drive. Gensler served as the architect-of-record for Round Table Studios and designer of the repositioning of 200 Connell Drive, with Mancini Duffy now serving as the architect-of-record for the ongoing transformation at The Park.
Completion of The Park is slated for 2023.
