ON3 Site In North Jersey Enters Pivotal Moment: Data Center, Hotel, Restaurant In Future?

NUTLEY, NJ — A new restaurant. A neighborhood grocer. A hotel with a rooftop bar. And an 11-acre parcel that may eventually become home to a data center. These are some of the latest developments (and possible developments to come) at the ON3 complex in Nutley and Clifton.

Prism Capital Partners acquired the 116-acre property on Route 3 in 2016 after it was left vacant by the former owner, pharmaceutical giant Hoffman-La Roche.

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Over the past several years, the firm has been redeveloping the sprawling complex, which now hosts tenants that include Ralph Lauren and the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine. Other tenants include Starbucks, Chase and Chipotle.

Last week, the company gave an update about what's been happening at ON3, and what is planned for the near future.

The list included:

• Data Center – There is an 11-acre parcel slated for a data center or other permitted use. Nutley officials recently said the town hasn't gotten any data center applications for planning board approval yet – which would be needed before any construction could begin.
• Restaurant and Grocer – Ground was recently broken on a Panera Bread restaurant, with additional national dining tenants and a "neighborhood grocer" to be announced soon, the company said.
• Hotel and Bar – The firm said it anticipates a 2027 start of construction for a 266-room, dual-branded Marriott AC/Element Hotel with a rooftop bar.
• Development Deals – Prism said it is also hoping to enable the construction of up to 1,074 multifamily units, nearly 90,000 square feet of additional retail space, and a 150,000-square-foot R&D facility.

"ON3 is at a pivotal moment," noted Edwin Cohen, a principal partner at Prism. "The next phases of development will establish the campus's true 24/7 environment."

"We built it – they came," Cohen said.

The township has had a checkered past with the developers of ON3, who have seen pushback over previous proposals for the property and concerns about traffic, environmental impacts, and strains on local infrastructure.

>> READ MORE: Nutley, Developer Continue Shoving Match Over 'ON3' Complex

Prism has claimed that some of these concerns have been addressed, with an on-site power plant helping to reduce energy draw from the grid. Other improvements to the campus have included nearly 4,400 parking spaces in three locations, new sewer and storm water systems, and a reduction in "impervious coverage" from 97 percent to about 80 percent via more green space and other natural features, the firm said.

Prism released a summary of its Phase IV plans for the campus two years ago, which can be seen here.

• Related: Data Center Debate Rages In Nutley
• Related: Nutley Loses Court Battle Over Warehouse At ON3
• Related: Developer Abandons 'Truck Depot' Proposal After Pushback From Town, Residents
• Related: Nutley Loses Lawsuit To Stop Hotel Project
• Related: Power Plant Upgrades Planned At ON3 Complex In Nutley, Clifton

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