‘M Lofts’ Could Add 150 Apartments Along Spring Street In Morristown

MORRISTOWN, NJ — The continued redevelopment along Spring Street could include a new apartment building, right next to the seven-story addition to M Station West in Morristown.

Preliminary designs for "M Lofts" include 150 apartments, a walkway along the Whippany River, improvements to the streetscape, and 165 on-site spaces in a parking garage.

Thirty of the apartments would be designated for affordable housing, said representatives from proposed developer SJP Properties at the March 14 redevelopment committee meeting. SJP and Scotto Properties are the lead developers for the ongoing M Station project, which is in its final phase at Spring and Morris Streets.

Architect Dean Marchetta described the proposed apartment building as having four floors of residences, a two-level garage, and a basement. Two street-facing courtyards would separate the building into three facades.

The affordable units would be comprised of two studio, four one-bedroom, 19 two-bedroom, and five three-bedroom apartments.

Attorney Frank Vitolo said there could be additional access points for the apartments through both Spring Street and Bishop Nazery Way; the proposal also includes making Bishop Nazery Way a two-way street, which Vitolo said developers are studying the impact of.

Council members had some concerns about vehicle congestion and pedestrian safety, and asked to see the results of a traffic study to make sure the traffic circle and other improvements were operating efficiently.

The developer is also proposing a small park across Spring Street in a lot backing up to the Presbyterian Church, and restoring an existing apartment building at 12-14 Spring Street.

There has not yet been an ordinance before the town council regarding M Lofts, which would require an amendment to the Spring Street redevelopment plan.

M Station is regarded as Morristown's most significant commercial development in more than 30 years, and will bridge the gap between Morristown's train station and the Green. The project, developed by SJP Properties in collaboration with Scotto Properties, first broke ground in November 2020 as Morristown prepares to welcome employees from the French healthcare company Sanofi's relocated New Jersey headquarters.

When completed, the M Station project will include more than 350,000 square feet of office and retail space spread across the two buildings. Officials from the town have previously stated that the project will generate approximately $1 million in annual tax revenue.

According to officials, Sanofi plans to move into the space in about 18 months, with the transition taking place in two stages: the first in the fourth quarter of 2024 and the second in the first quarter of 2025.

The healthcare company will be the third major corporation to relocate to Morristown, following Deloitte and Valley National Bank.

This article contains reporting from Patch's Vianella Burns.

Related articles:

• New Tenant Joins M Station in Morristown, Bringing 1,900 Employees
• Construction Continues On Final Phase Of Morristown's M Station
• See Plans For Headquarters Plaza Transformation In Morristown