Maplewood Business Earns Good Neighbor Award

MAPLEWOOD, NJ – Clarus Maplewood, locateds at the Maplewood train station, was named a winner of the 2019 New Good Neighbor Awards by the New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA).

The award recognizes Clarus Maplewood for its aesthetic beauty, architectural merit, community involvement, and benefits to the state and local economy. It was selected for the honor by a panel of independent judges from a cross section of state associations and organizations.

“Being selected for this prestigious award by an organization that consistently highlights the best and brightest new projects in New Jersey year in and year out is a tremendous honor,” said Joe Forgione, the founder and principal of JMF Properties. “The Clarus Maplewood team consists of incredibly talented individuals who have gone above and beyond what was necessary every step of the way, dedicating a massive amount of time and effort to even the smallest of details. The result is a multiple award-winning project that all of our team members can be proud of.”

For 59 years, the New Jersey Business & Industry Association and New Jersey Business magazine have honored New Jersey’s outstanding commercial development projects. The full list of winners will be published in the July issue of the magazine.

Clarus Maplewood opened in October, 2017, and was 100 percent leased by early 2018. The building’s street-level retail also leased quickly. Starbucks, BCB Bank, Abby Haliti Salon, and The Cassidy Bar + Kitchen have all opened at the community.

Clarus Maplewood is the first residential community in New Jersey to achieve WELL Certification through the International WELL Building Institute’s™ (IWBI™) multifamily pilot, and only the 13th in the world. It was awarded WELL Certification at the Gold level by the IWBI™ in November, 2018. The community’s impressive design allowed it to achieve high concept scores from IWBI™ evaluators in all seven categories of building performance: air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort, and mind.

Clarus Maplewood was also named “Community of the Year” in the best mixed-use community of 2018 category by the Metropolitan Builders & Contractors Association of New Jersey. Now, the 2019 New Good Neighbor Award from the NJBIA highlights the positive impact Clarus Maplewood has had on its residents, neighbors, train commuters, and visitors to downtown Maplewood, among others.

“Each project at JMF Properties is unique. Since Clarus Maplewood was JMF’s first building designed for WELL certification, attention to detail was paramount,” said Francene Forgione, the principal of Inner Views, LLC. “As always, we designed the community from the inside out. With community’s residents in mind, we created a space that is both luxe and comfortable. The layout and finishes of the amenity spaces were designed to have a New York hotel vibe that residents would enjoy and use often. From flooring to lighting, furniture to artwork, the inclusion of a double-sided fireplace, and everything in between, each detail was well thought out. It was a real team effort, and that collective dedication is what took Clarus Maplewood to the next level.”

Clarus means “clear” or “bright” in Latin, and its namesake ambience is evident throughout the property. It offers a balanced lifestyle with light-filled residences, exquisite finishes and appointments and a curated collection of amenities. It is located on Maplewood Avenue in the heart of Maplewood Village, among the community’s many boutique shops, restaurants, cultural attractions and sidewalk cafes.

“Clarus was designed to fit into Maplewood with its eclectic architecture from the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s," David Minno, AIA, a principal in Minno & Wasko Architects and Planners said. "The Art Deco style fits into this period and has updated touches that one would see as recent updates to a historic building. This wonderful transit-oriented project fits beautifully into this walkable community.”

Clarus Maplewood is just steps from the Maplewood train station, where commuters are whisked to and from Manhattan in about 35 minutes. In addition to offering convenience for its residents, the community has become a convenient stop for train commuters who wish to frequent the businesses on their way to work, or coming home from work.

For more information on Clarus Maplewood, visit www.clarusmaplewood.com.

For more information on the NJBIA and its New Good Neighbor Awards, visit www.NJBIA.org.

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