River Front Development Reaches Milestone: A striking 289-foot residential tower at 930 McCarter Highway is reshaping Newark’s waterfront, as the recently topped-out structure signals the city’s emergence as New Jersey’s hottest urban destination.
Newark’s urban renaissance has reached new heights with the topping out of the 25-story tower at 930 McCarter Highway. The sleek glass structure, which recently reached its full 289-foot height, stands as a testament to the city’s remarkable transformation from industrial center to vibrant urban hub. Developed by Boraie Development, this mixed-income residential project is poised to become a defining element of Newark’s revitalized skyline.
Transformative Riverfront Presence
The 930 McCarter Highway development represents a pivotal moment in Newark’s ongoing reinvention. Construction crews began work in mid-2024, and the project has rapidly progressed, with structural completion achieved in February 2025. The distinctive L-shaped tower now dominates the Passaic riverfront with its contemporary glass façade. The architect behind the visionary tower is MHS Architects.
The property’s location within the River Public Access & Redevelopment Plan area highlights Newark’s commitment to reconnecting its urban fabric with the waterfront that played such a crucial role in the city’s history.
Newark’s Evolution: From Manufacturing Hub to Urban Destination
The story of 930 McCarter Highway mirrors Newark‘s broader narrative of reinvention. Throughout much of the 20th century, Newark’s waterfront served industrial purposes, with factories and warehouses lining the Passaic River. As manufacturing declined, many of these sites fell vacant, creating opportunities for reimagining the city’s relationship with its riverfront.
Today’s Newark is embracing its waterways as amenities rather than just commercial assets. The 1.1-acre parcel at 930 McCarter exemplifies this new vision—transforming a formerly vacant lot into a mixed-use development that will bring residential density to the waterfront while enhancing public access to the river.
The River Public Access & Redevelopment Plan, which governs development in this area, has been instrumental in guiding Newark’s waterfront transformation, ensuring that new projects contribute to both economic growth and public space enhancement.
Strategic Location in Newark’s Emerging Downtown
One of 930 McCarter’s most compelling features is its strategic location in Newark’s increasingly dynamic downtown district. The development sits just steps from the NJPAC/Center Street light rail station and a short walk from Newark Penn Station—a major transit hub offering direct service to Manhattan via PATH trains, along with regional connections through NJ Transit and Amtrak.
This exceptional connectivity positions 930 McCarter as an ideal home base for professionals working throughout the New York metropolitan area. With a commute to Manhattan of approximately 20 minutes, residents can enjoy the benefits of urban living at significantly lower price points than comparable locations across the Hudson.
The surrounding neighborhood has seen remarkable growth in recent years, with new dining, retail, and cultural venues enhancing Newark’s appeal as a destination in its own right—not merely a bedroom community for New York City.
Architectural Statement and Sustainable Design
The architecture of 930 McCarter Highway balances contemporary design with contextualized elements that honor Newark’s rich architectural heritage. The glass-clad tower presents a modern face to the city while incorporating setbacks and terraces that create visual interest and outdoor spaces for residents.
From its upper floors, the building will offer sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline, the Passaic River, and the emerging Newark skyline. The L-shaped configuration maximizes these vistas while creating a distinctive profile visible from multiple vantage points throughout the city.
Sustainability has been integrated throughout the design, with energy-efficient building systems, water-conserving fixtures, and environmentally responsible materials. These features align with Newark’s commitment to environmentally conscious development and reduced carbon footprint.
The interior design emphasizes open, flexible living spaces flooded with natural light through floor-to-ceiling windows. Common areas feature collaborative spaces, fitness facilities, and lounges designed to foster community among residents—reflecting contemporary preferences for buildings that function as complete living environments.
Residential and Retail Offerings
Upon completion in 2026, 930 McCarter Highway will feature:
- 333 residential units with diverse floor plans from studios to two-bedroom apartments
- Approximately 3,750 square feet of ground-floor retail space for shops and cafés
- A four-level parking structure accommodating 240 vehicles
- Expanded public green space connecting to Riverfront Park
The residential mix includes 265 market-rate apartments and 68 affordable units, representing a 20% affordable component that aligns with Newark’s inclusive development goals. This approach ensures that the benefits of waterfront living will be accessible to households across various income levels.
The ground-floor retail space is expected to attract businesses that will serve both residents and visitors, adding to the neighborhood’s growing array of amenities and creating a more vibrant street-level experience.
Catalyzing Economic Growth
The economic impact of 930 McCarter Highway extends far beyond the building itself. The construction phase has created hundreds of jobs, and upon completion, the building will generate permanent positions in property management, maintenance, security, and retail.
Moreover, the influx of residents will support existing local businesses while creating demand for new enterprises. From restaurants and cafés to service providers and retailers, Newark’s business community stands to benefit significantly from the increased density and spending power that 930 McCarter will bring to the area.
The city’s tax base will also grow, providing resources for further public investments in infrastructure, parks, and services. This virtuous cycle of development is already evident in Newark’s rising property values and declining commercial vacancy rates.
Local entrepreneurs are taking note, with several new business concepts in development for locations near 930 McCarter. These include independent coffee shops, boutique fitness studios, and specialty retailers attracted by the area’s growing residential population and improved amenities.
Part of Newark’s Broader Resurgence
The 930 McCarter Highway development is just one component of an unprecedented wave of investment transforming downtown Newark. Nearby, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center is implementing a $336 million expansion plan that will create a vibrant arts district featuring residential units, cultural facilities, and public spaces.
Throughout downtown, cranes dot the skyline as multiple residential and mixed-use projects rise simultaneously. This coordinated growth is creating the critical mass needed to support a thriving urban ecosystem of restaurants, retail, and entertainment options.
Market indicators strongly validate this development strategy. Downtown Newark’s residential occupancy rates consistently exceed 95%, while retail occupancy has reached 91.4% as of early 2024. These figures demonstrate the strong demand for both housing and commercial space in Newark’s urban core.
With average market-rate rents around $2,200 per month—substantially below comparable units in Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Jersey City—Newark offers compelling value for urban dwellers seeking modern amenities, transit accessibility, and vibrant city living.
Cultural Vitality and Community Connection
Newark’s revival transcends physical development to embrace cultural renaissance and community engagement. The 930 McCarter Highway project benefits from proximity to world-class cultural institutions, including the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark Museum of Art, and Newark Public Library.
These venerable institutions provide residents with access to performances, exhibitions, and educational programming that enrich daily life and create opportunities for connection. The synergy between residential development and cultural amenities fosters a community where creative expression and artistic engagement are woven into the urban fabric.
The expansion of Riverfront Park adjacent to 930 McCarter will further enhance quality of life by providing green space, recreational facilities, and gathering places. Programmed events in the park—from concerts and markets to fitness classes and festivals—will activate the waterfront year-round, creating a dynamic public realm that complements the private development.
Looking to the Future
As construction at 930 McCarter Highway advances toward completion, the focus is shifting to interior finishes and exterior detailing. Boraie Development anticipates beginning the leasing process in early 2026, with the first residents moving in later that year.
The building’s impact will extend well beyond its physical footprint, catalyzing further investment in the surrounding neighborhood and contributing to Newark’s emergence as one of the region’s most dynamic urban centers. With its strategic location, thoughtful design, and mixed-income approach, 930 McCarter Highway exemplifies the type of development that is fueling Newark’s remarkable transformation.
For a city that has persevered through economic challenges and negative perceptions, projects like 930 McCarter represent not just physical reconstruction but psychological rejuvenation—tangible proof that Newark’s best days lie ahead.
As the building rises above the Passaic River, it stands as both a symbol and a catalyst of Newark’s resurgence—a vertical community that will bring new energy, diversity, and vitality to a city reclaiming its rightful place among America’s great urban centers.