Construction underway at DMR-designed River Park Town Center (updated)

River Park Town Center, a project billed as transformational for Hanover Township, has begun rising on 88 acres in the municipality’s Whippany section.

The DMR Architects-designed project will include 967 residential units, 80,000 square feet of retail space, two 125-room extended stay hotels, an outdoor amphitheater and a walking trail along the Whippany River. The first phase of construction will result in a residential building with 81 units a pool, a fitness center and community amenities. The developer is Eden Wood Realty.

“The creative challenge in Hanover was to design something that served a lot of functions that are completely new here while still preserving the community character and existing physical and natural landscaping,” said Francis Reiner, Redevelopment Consultant and Partner at DMR Architects, in a statement. “This is a great example of pro-active municipal planning and placemaking and the successful collaboration of a municipality, developer, planners and architects. This project will promote smart growth with elements that will appeal to residents, shoppers, employers and their staffs.”

River Park Town Center will bring a downtown feel to an area that is currently home to a variety of office parks. The project will also feature more than 20 acres of public recreation space including an amphitheater and park, generous gathering areas for community engagement, and deck, curbside and surface lot parking options. More than 40% of the land will be left in its natural state, according to Hasbrouck Heights-based DMR. It will also connect to to Route 10 and Interstates 287 and 80.

The Morris County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Corporation hailed the beginning of construction. “This project proves that Morris County is a choice location to live work and play given the interest by the development community,” the Chamber said in an emailed statement.  “This is an ideal location for this kind of mixed use development that will create a downtown atmosphere and welcomes residents and visitors alike. Projects such as this strengthen Morris County’s overall competitiveness.”

In August, Blue Foundry bank opened a 40,000-square-foot, DMR-designed administrative office in nearby Parsippany.

This story was updated at 12:45 p.m. EST on Dec. 16, 2021 to include a statement from the Morris County Chamber of Commerce.

Daniel Munoz contributed to this report.