The James opens in Park Ridge with ribbon-cutting honoring late actor

Linda Lindner//August 4, 2021

The James in Park Ridge recently celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and an honoring of its most famous hometown hero – James Gandolfini.

A crowd of Park Ridge residents and stakeholders filled the lobby lounge at the new upscale rental community and attendees witnessed the 10-year plan to redevelop a tract of underutilized property in the Bergen County township finally come to fruition, Claremont Development said on Aug. 3.

Guests included nearly two dozen members of the Gandolfini family and friends. They were honored to give their blessing to naming the building after the late actor.

Michael Gandolfini, James’ son and a rising star in his own right, joined Mayor Keith Misciagna, other municipal officials, and principals from Claremont Development in cutting a ceremonial ribbon marking the addition to the borough’s housing landscape: a collection of 240 studio, one- and two-bedroom residences – an impressive 50% of which is already leased, with a number of residents moved in.

Prominent Park Ridge residents join municipal officials and development principals at a ceremonial ribbon cutting celebrating the successful opening of The James, a new luxury rental community named after the late James Gandolfini. From left, Mike DiBella, a partner in The James; Barbara DiBella; Michael Gandolfini, James Gandolfini’s son; Keith Misciagna, mayor of Park Ridge; and Richard Sciaretta, managing partner of Claremont Development. - CLAREMONT DEVELOPMENT — Prominent Park Ridge residents join municipal officials and development principals at a ceremonial ribbon cutting celebrating the successful opening of The James, a new luxury rental community named after the late James Gandolfini. From left, Mike DiBella, a partner in The James; Barbara DiBella; Michael Gandolfini, James Gandolfini’s son; Keith Misciagna, mayor of Park Ridge; and Richard Sciaretta, managing partner of Claremont Development. – CLAREMONT DEVELOPMENT

“This is a great celebration today,” said Misciagna. “So many people were involved in making this project happen. From Mike DiBella who started talking to me about his vision for redeveloping this area 10 years ago to Don Schwamb and the Planning Board to the Building Department, City Council and of course the Sciaretta family and Claremont Development, thank you all for your expertise. This beautiful residential building is the fruit of all your labors.”

Located at 87 Madison Ave. and surrounded by parks, shops and restaurants, The James was designed to take advantage of its lively downtown location, with the needs of today’s suburban renter in mind. The five-story building includes a full complement of indoor and outdoor amenities that have been curated to maximize resident recreation, relaxation, and work-from-home productivity.

It also delivers 17,600 square feet of street-level retail space to the heart of downtown Park Ridge including a public plaza that serves as a natural gathering place.

“The James reflects our commitment to the borough of Park Ridge and our core philosophy of enhancing the host communities in which we develop,” said Richard Sciaretta, managing partner of Claremont Development. “We shared a collective vision with Mayor Misciagna and local officials on how to unlock the intrinsic value of this property by creating a new modern lifestyle option that is appealing to both existing and new residents. We believe The James realizes that vision, and we’re delighted with how quickly it has connected with residents.”

The James offers monthly rental rates starting from $1,965, with limited-time grand opening incentives of up to half a month free on a 12-month lease or up to one month free on a 24-month lease, according to Bozzuto, the property management company that Claremont Development selected to manage the community. Immediate occupancy is available.