$20M Improvements At Ex-Roche Site Expected To Wrap By 2019

NUTLEY, NJ — The redevelopment of the former Hoffman-La Roche property on the border of Nutley and Clifton continues, and developers say that $20 million worth of improvements at the project may finish as early as April 2019.

Earlier this week, Prism Capital Partners announced that it completed Phase I of the high-profile project at mid-year. About $20 million of infrastructure improvements - including roadways and stormwater/sewer systems - are expected to wrap up by April 2019.

The Phase I completion represents another step in the resurrection of the former Hoffman-La Roche property on Route 3, which the company vacated in 2013. Hoffman-La Roche's departure from the site left a vacuum of real estate available until Bloomfield-based developer Prism Capital Partners purchased the vacant property in 2016 and began its transformation into “ON3,” a 116-acre office park.

Prism Capital Partners released a progress report about development at ON3 on Wednesday:

“The first phase of the improvements focused on the addition and rebranding of streets on the east portion of the campus, the installation of new sewer and storm water systems, and electrical grid enhancements. Phase II is creating new internal roadways on the balance of the site to support coming tenants and future development.”

Tenants at the formerly vacant property now include the Ralph Lauren Corporation, which recently announced plans to relocate its headquarters to ON3 and bring more than 200 jobs with it.

• See related article: Ralph Lauren Coming To Ex-Roche Site In Nutley; 200+ Jobs Expected

The property is also home to the recently opened Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine at Seton Hall University, as well as Modern Meadow, a biotech company that produces "animal-free leather" from living cells.

• See related article: Med School Preps For 1st Class At Former Hoffman-La Roche Site
• See related article: Animal-Free Leather Company Moving To Former Roche Site

According to Prism Capital Partners’ Edwin Cohen, principal partner, municipal involvement has been critical in the process.

“One of the most challenging and exciting parts of creating the ON3 conceptual master plan has been transforming this former one-user campus into a property with distinct development sites that ultimately will combine into a new, unified whole,” noted Cohen, whose firm acquired the former Hoffmann-LaRoche campus in fall 2016. “Phase II is creating that definition with a robust roadway network that both allocates and integrates spaces on ON3’s west side, and enables the campus to be easily – and fully – traversed.”

“The input and cooperation of officials from both Clifton and Nutley has been invaluable in creating a plan that will complement and serve their communities,” he added. “These municipal partners have been great allies since day one, and it is gratifying to see our shared vision becoming reality.”

• See related article: Nutley Mayor Reflects On Ex-Roche Site's Transformation
• See related article: Ex-Roche Site Booming In Nutley: Med School, Ralph Lauren

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Photo: Prism Capital Partners (100 Metro Blvd., anticipated future site of Ralph Lauren headquarters)