Other places still may be struggling, but Morristown remains a magnet for luxury developers.
The latest proof comes on Maple Avenue, where Normandy Real Estate Partners wants to build eight town homes adjoining its corporate headquarters, at the gateway to Morristown’s Historic District.
These three-and-a-half story Federal-style structures at the Miller Road intersection would range from 3,100- to 5,500 square feet, with elevators, individual patio gardens, rooftop decks and two-car garages. Look for prices around $1.5 million.
“This project is a dream for the town. It is spectacular, over the top,” said former Mayor Jay DeLaney, attorney for the developers.
Proposed for a corner lot that now houses a vacant radiology office, the project needs variances from the zoning board to allow double the current lot coverage, and to move setbacks closer–within 20 feet–of the sidewalks on Maple and Miller. A hearing is scheduled for Oct. 16, 2013, at town hall.
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Normandy has created a subsidiary, LK Maple Associates LLC, to shepherd the process. Normandy Real Estate Partners owns and operates a multi-billion dollar portfolio of commercial and residential properties across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states.
The company was founded by Finn Wentworth, former president of YankeesNets LLC–the holding company for the Yankees, Nets and Devils–and an architect of the YES Network on cable television.
Normandy’s proposed town homes are the latest upscale entry in a Morristown boom that began in the mid-2000s with the Vail Mansion and 40 Park condo developments.
That trend continued, despite the economic downturn, with the Highlands at Morristown Station apartments, Pulte Homes’ Morristown Square town homes at the far end of Maple Avenue, and the Latitude apartment complex behind Early Street that will anchor the redevelopment of Speedwell Avenue.
Still, few would have predicted that housing would make a comeback on Maple Avenue after so many stately homes were converted to offices, said James Dykema of the town Historic Preservation Commission, an advisory panel.
“Ten years ago, we would have expected someone fighting tooth and nail to put in an office building, a mirrored glass box. This is a miracle,” James said.
“In Morristown, nothing surprises me,” said Mayor Tim Dougherty. “It’s terrific to see what’s going on, and the amount of investment capital that people are willing to spend in our town.”
Nonetheless, the Historic Preservation Commission raised some aesthetic issues at a presentation last week.
Together with the stately stone structures of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and the Morristown & Township Library, the proposed town homes will form the gateway to the Historic District, a collection of elegant Victorian mansions dating to the 19th century.
As such, a Victorian motif would be more appropriate than the Federal brick design now on the drawing board, James Dykema said. He found the design to be overly “busy,” and argued for a simpler look.
Architect Tom Barton–who also designed 40 Park and the Vail Mansion–said he would try to tone it down a bit, adding that Finn Wentworth appreciates the virtue of simple designs.
“We were trying to be contextual. And I think we are. The style is a style that is appropriate,” said Tom, noting that Normandy wants to be a good neighbor because it is a neighbor.
Existing zoning allows twice as many town homes on the site, he said, but Normandy felt that its present plan better fits the character of the neighborhood.
However, offices are the fallback plan if townhouses are shot down, Normandy officials have indicated to the town.
Normandy bought its adjoining Maple Avenue headquarters from a law firm about four years ago and made costly renovations to ensure that it complemented the other well kept Victorian offices that line Maple.
“They’re good neighbors. This is a good match,” said commission member Carol Barkin. “We’re thrilled at the quality. It’s higher than anything built there before.”
Commission Chairman Ken Miller and member Marion Harris recused themselves because their homes are within 200 feet of the site. Jon Vuolo rounded out the commission last week.
Five of the proposed town homes would face Maple Avenue, and three would front on Miller. Normandy plans to preserve an adjacent mansion that it owns on Miller Road, and add a backyard garage for that home. The entrance to the townhouses would be from Miller Road.
