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Alpine Residential celebrated its most recent milestone in the Bergen Lafayette section of Jersey City this week, topping out the rising residential component at Liberty Science Center’s SciTech Scity development, which will add 500 apartments.

Scholars Village recently marked the end of vertical construction on its twin 12-story buildings, situated along the edge of Liberty State Park. Executives from Alpine Residential and tradespeople from the project’s general contractor, KL Masters Construction Co., were on hand for the fete, according to an April 9 announcement from the development division of Beachwold Residential.

Located at 225 Phillip St., the mixed-use project will also offer contemporary amenities and 4,000 square feet of retail space, beyond the rental units.

LSC selected Alpine Residential to develop the project in 2021 as part of SciTech Scity. Beyond the residential component, the transformative 30-acre “Science City of Tomorrow” will also feature:

• Liberty Science Center – New Jersey’s largest cultural institution and the largest interactive science center in the tri-state area
• Edge Works – A business incubation hub
• Liberty Science Center High School – A public magnet STEM academy operated by the Hudson County Schools of Technology
• Public Commons – 3 acres of outdoor activations

Team effort

“The topping out of Scholars Village is a testament to the skill and dedication of our entire team,” commented Alpine Residential Managing Partner William Rosato. “This milestone brings us closer to delivering a modern residential community that will play a key role in the emerging SciTech Scity.”

Rosato went on to express gratitude to the City of Jersey City, Mayor Steven Fulop and LSC for their efforts to bring the project together. “And we’re excited to contribute to its ongoing development.”

GRT Architects of Brooklyn and Ismael Leyva Architects of New York designed Scholars Village. The two residential buildings will comprise a one-story lobby base featuring ground-level retail space. The residential rental mix will include a mix of studio; one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and fixtures.

Area expertise

Last month, JLL announced it arranged a $142.7 million construction loan and equity placement for Scholars Village.

Alpine Residential already has a substantial presence in Bergen-Lafayette. Along with partner Fields Grade, its other properties include Atlas, Starling and The Hazel.

“Well, one of the things that interests us about SciTech Scity is we do a lot in Jersey City, and the adjacent neighborhood, Bergen Lafayette,” Rosato told NJBIZ at the 2024 Jersey City Summit. The annual event returns next month.

“We’re developers, owner and operators, so we’re here,” he continued. “We like to develop where we already have a presence. In Bergen Lafayette we’ve built probably 540 apartments. So, with the Scholars Village, it’ll bring us to over 1,000 units within the neighborhood. So, that’s exciting for us to have that kind of mass.”

“The Bergen-Lafayette Collection has enriched the area and community with the introduction of brand-new residential homes, along with highly regarded dining options and retail conveniences,” commented Todd Schefler, managing partner of Alpine Residential. “SciTech City and Scholars Village will elevate Bergen-Lafayette’s profile, establishing the neighborhood as a destination for innovation, culture, and modern living. We’re excited to mark this important milestone.”

South Oxford Management, Alpine’s affiliated management company, will direct the leasing and management of Scholars Village.