luxury apt in newark? Eleven80, Union building, Renaissance Towers?

[fopguy41]

I am relocating to New Jersey and I've decided on living in Newark
because of its central location between work and NYC. I am especially
attracted to Newark since it seems like I can reasonably survive here
without a car, and rely instead on public transportation and cab.
(I know JC and Hoboken should be good for non-drivers, but the commute
to work would be a bit too long for me)


I'm trying to find a place to live in Newark, and I was wondering if I
could get some help on narrowing down my choices. Any help would be
much appreciated.


Here are some of the things I'm looking for...

1. commute - I'll be taking the train at penn station to work, and I would like to be within 10 min from Penn station (walking or public transportation)

2. access to NYC - i guess that means close to PATH

3. access to everyday things - grocery store, restaurants, movies..etc (with no car)

4. price - I'm willing to pay up to $1000 - $1500 for a 1 BR. studio would work too

5. not too sketchy - I've heard not so great things about Newark and
apartments in Newark. But...i was hoping by uping the price a little,
I could get a somewhat decent apartment.


So far, I've narrowed my choices down to Eleven80, Union Building, and
Renaissance Towers. I was wondering if someone could give me the
inside scoop about them.

1. Eleven80 is very expensive. I got quoted studio for 1615 and 1BR for 1675.
Does anyone know how negotiable that is?

2. Eleven80 obviously looks a lot more upscale than the other 2.
Are the other 2 even on par with Eleven80 in terms of living conditions? I'm not talking about the obvious things like the fact that Eleven80 has a bowling alley and basketball court..etc. What about the room themselves?


3. are there other apartments that i should look at that is on par with the
3 i mentioned?

thanks a lot everyone.

[stache]

I walked by the Union building one day maybe a year ago and the concierge was wearing gang banger clothing with a do-rag. He was fast asleep in his chair with his head resting on the desk. :rolleyes: I've seen some kinda sketchy types going into the Renissance building. It might be worth your while to look at an apt. in that complex, you could get an idea if you think your place would get broken into there. There are no groceries, a few bodegas and I have found much of the restaurant service to be extremely bad. I don't think you could walk around at night, not that there would be any point to that since everything closes. You might want to look in Harrison across the river. They're building new construction there and it has a lot more services in the immediate area.

[fopguy41]

can you tell me more about the harrison area and harrison community in general? i did a quick search but i couldn't find any nice apartment complex within walking distance of the harrison path station.

thanks so much

[stache]

I haven't been to Harrison in about a year, but they were building at that time. From the Harrison PATH station, walk north (about three blocks) to New Jersey Railroad avenue. Make a left and walk about two blocks to the last street before the river. Then make a right (once again heading north) and you will see the new townhouse construction. Continue walking north to Harrison Ave. Make another right and a few blocks up you will see another apt. complex recently built, I think it's past the freeway. This particular complex might be a little far for a walking commute to PATH. Harrison Ave. is the main drag and you will see the business selection. Typical small town services etc. Continuing on Harrison Ave., make another right at Frank E.Rodgers Blvd. This is the first road you walked on from the station and will take you back to PATH. I have sent you around in a big circle! :cool: This is something you could do on a day off if the weather is not horrible. Should give you a good idea of the town. Happy hunting! :)

[kevin]

I walked by the Union building one day maybe a year ago and the concierge was wearing gang banger clothing with a do-rag. He was fast asleep in his chair with his head resting on the desk. :rolleyes: I've seen some kinda sketchy types going into the Renissance building. It might be worth your while to look at an apt. in that complex, you could get an idea if you think your place would get broken into there. There are no groceries, a few bodegas and I have found much of the restaurant service to be extremely bad. I don't think you could walk around at night, not that there would be any point to that since everything closes. You might want to look in Harrison across the river. They're building new construction there and it has a lot more services in the immediate area.

I think you're doing a great disservice to the area, especially if you're basing it on a walk-by from a year ago.

I live directly in that area described, and I've walked my 7-lb yorkie late at night on many occasions, to the Arena and around it, around PSE&G, and around city hall, and I have never had a problem, nor have I ever felt unsafe.

I can also tell you that the restaurant service is not extremely bad, as you put it, but quite the opposite, and it's getting better every day. Within a five-minute walk from my apartment, I have access to irish food, burgers, chicken, soul food, chinese, pizza, subs, fast-food, etc.. Within ten minutes, Thai, Brazilian, Puerto Rican, Mexican, Spanish, tapas, diner food...and, there are countless places that deliver.

A new soul food place just opened next to eleven80 called The Spot, and the owner told me that someone else plans on putting a steakhouse in the vacant building directly across the street.

There are two major grocery stores nearby, though not really within walking distance - in the Ironbound and next to UMDNJ. There's also a grocery store in Bloomfield within a block of the city subway.

When I first moved to Newark, in downtown, there were three pubs - Hamilton's, McGovern's, and Skipper's. Since the Arena was built, that number has more than doubled. There are also numerous hangouts in the Ironbound.

Since the Arena opened, I have to say that my only complaint about the area is the influx of out-of-towners, as well as a lack of on-street parking. When there's a Devils game or concert, locals know which places to avoid, but you can't always avoid the traffic or congestion. For the most part, the police have been pretty good about letting us get through the mess, even though they close off certain streets during events.

Fopguy41, here's a google-map I've been assembling (mainly for my own information) regarding the place in the area. It's far from complete, and it's mainly from memory so the locations might be off a smidge, but it's generally correct.
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=117405519356297561934.0000011253a333252fe85&ll=40.740766,-74.16934&spn=0.002991,0.005021&t=h&z=18

I don't know how much you can negotiate with eleven80 since I haven't spoken to the leasing office since December '05. I can tell you that overall I'm happy with the experience - the front desk people are all very nice and know my name. Every December (so far, at least) they've had tenant appreciation month, where each saturday has catered continental style breakfast in the lobby. They have catered parties for random events, like the super-bowl, or NCAA championship, where they get a whole bunch of six foot subs and other party food.

It's not something that's really material to the lease or whatever, but I think it makes a difference on the quality of life.

And, as I've stated before, Newark's changed quite a bit, not only since I moved here, but so much in the last year or so.

[scrollhectic]

Kevin, your map is cool. Please keep updating it. I'd be nice if there was a way to render it as a drawing, like they have for Bloomfield Ave. in Montclair, or Hollywood, CA. Over the top? Please add Maize to the list. I love their food and the decor is top notch. Mompou Tapas Bar and Lounge on Ferry Street is also a nice spot. And I'm glad you added Golden Krust... their food is ssssssssoooooo good.

[scrollhectic]

I am relocating to New Jersey and I've decided on living in Newark
because of its central location between work and NYC. I am especially
attracted to Newark since it seems like I can reasonably survive here
without a car, and rely instead on public transportation and cab.


Hey fopguy41, I believe Renaissance Towers are condos, not rentals. Some of the owners do rent out their condos, but they aren't much cheaper than Eleven80. Also, in Harrison, the River Park condos are new and some of units are for rent by their respective owners. It's probably a good 20 minute walk to the Harrison Path station though. Also, try Fulton Street. At the end of the block are 3 brownstones and their residential. It's a 2 minute walk from the NJPAC light rail stop or the Washington Park light rail stop and about 10 minutes to either Penn Station or Broad Street Station. They don't have updated amenities because the owners don't recognize a gold mine when they're sitting on it, but the location can't be beat. I saw a vacant apt a few months ago there. It might be worth a try.

If you’re willing to take the bus, Society Hill might be an option. Again, they're condos, but some owners are renting their apts. There's nothing really within walking distance though.

[kevin]

Kevin, your map is cool. Please keep updating it. I'd be nice if there was a way to render it as a drawing, like they have for Bloomfield Ave. in Montclair, or Hollywood, CA. Over the top? Please add Maize to the list. I love their food and the decor is top notch. Mompou Tapas Bar and Lounge on Ferry Street is also a nice spot. And I'm glad you added Golden Krust... their food is ssssssssoooooo good.

Thanks, I added those restaurants. I've missed a lot of stuff, like the cafes on Broad St. near Washington Park, some of the places in the Ironbound and around Branch Brook Park because I'm just not sure of their exact location (most of the stuff on the map is from memory). I also know there's a great sushi place in the Ironbound somewhere, but it's not on Ferry, so I can't quite pin the address down.

[scrollhectic]

... I also know there's a great sushi place in the Ironbound somewhere, but it's not on Ferry, so I can't quite pin the address down.

Is it the Sushi House on Elm (and Adams)?

:confused:

[ryanov]

Not sure if that's the one he's talking about, but I've ordered from there and it was pretty good. They deliver, so I've never actually been inside. The one in Gateway Center is also decent -- I forget the name. They're only open until 7 though.

[kevin]

Not sure if that's the one he's talking about, but I've ordered from there and it was pretty good. They deliver, so I've never actually been inside. The one in Gateway Center is also decent -- I forget the name. They're only open until 7 though.

The one I'm thinking about is the one across from Independence park...

there's also a Crepe place there, and a Hamburgao place?

[RTowerCONDO]

Hello,

I own a condo in Renaissance Tower. I am not reiterating the positives of the neighborhood; it seems you are well-educated about the locale, restaurants, and the central transportation hub that Newark has become.

I have a tenant leaving my 2BR/1BA 1040sq ft unit at the end of this month, which features a modern kitchen washer/dryer/refrigerator/dishwasher in unit. Building features: special rate parking available, gymnasium, sauna, 24hr doorman. I haven't put it on the market yet, but I am asking $1595/month. If you are interested, please let me know.

Cheers,

direct: 908.705.1547

email: umangswali@gmail.com

[newarkdevil1]

I just came across this thread and I noticed that it doesn't mention some of the other well renovated complexes relatively close to public transportation. I think regan, crawford and hanini have done a nice job with their places so I figured I would put their links
http://crawfordstreetpartners.com/index/
http://www.regandevelopment.com/
(you have to look at their properties websites): http://www.unionbuilding.com/
http://www.colleoniapartments.com/
www.hanini.com (http://www.hanini.com) (doesn't really show anything but the Isley building {home of
I also know I have seen people post apartments in the "chocolate factory" building in the Iron-bound.
All these are larger complexes, there are literally TONS of very nice apartments in the Bayonne boxes throughout downtown and the Iron-bound.