Newest Plans For Massive Route 18 Project Includes 5-Story Mixed-Use Building

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — An East Brunswick development many years in the making has a new look, as the township tries to reinvigorate a blighted property along Route 18.

The site is on the west side of the state route, near Lake Avenue and Renee Road as you drive south. It is known locally as the former Loehmanns Plaza and Wiz/GAP Plaza, and it was a once-thriving shopping hub.

EB Development Urban Renewal, an LLC registered in Carlstadt, has submitted a development application for the lots at 253-261 State Route 18, documents show. Related story: Rt. 18 Redevelopment Moving At Fast Pace, Says East Brunswick Mayor

The township planning board scheduled a special meeting at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 14 to discuss this plan.

The site is almost 13 acres, at 562,748 square feet. The LLC submitted its plans on August 16 and plans to call the site Vermella East Brunswick.

EB Development Urban Renewal plans to use the property for residential, retail, restaurant, and office uses, plans show; a one-story stand-alone building, and a five-story mixed-use building with ground and lower-level parking, and more than 300 living units.

The five-story building can include restaurants, retail and medical offices, and retail shops, plans show.

The residential building will have 318 units and there will be 529 parking spaces available including in a lower level, plans show. The stand-alone building for retail is measured at 5,160 square feet.

Full plans are available here under Application #22-20.

This plan is toned down from one shared in 2020, that included a bus terminal and tech center. Read more: First Look At Dramatic New Rt. 18 Development In East Brunswick

The process to convert the property began several years ago, when East Brunswick first got approval from the state Department of Community Affairs to declare the site a redevelopment zone.

Earlier this year, a state court ruled that the township followed the law when it redesignated approximately 88 acres of property as a condemnation redevelopment area.

However, properties that challenged the township's designation argued that the designation was arbitrary, capricious and unreasonable because the evidence did not meet the threshold for redevelopment.

The ruling cleared the way for construction in the area that will include a tech center, mixed-use buildings, hotel, transportation and medical services.

The court ruled that the Planning Board and Council used proper criteria under state law to designate the lots as areas in need of redevelopment.

Patch's Sarah Salvadore and Carly Baldwin contributed to this report.