South Orange Village Hall: Transformation Into Restaurant, Beer Garden Approved

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — A little more than a year from now, if all goes according to plan, there will be a restaurant and beer garden where the historic former Village Hall once served the residents of South Orange.

Last week, South Orange Village President Sheena Collum shared news of the South Orange Planning Board’s vote to approve a site plan from developer Landmark Hospitality for a proposed restaurant and beer garden to be opened in the former Village Hall.

Village administrators expect work to start on the building in the coming months with an anticipated completion and opening date in about 15 months, Collum said.

Collum wrote:

“The decision of the planning board will be formally memorialized in a written resolution next month, after which Landmark can move forward with the significant restoration and renovation work that is necessary. Under the sale agreement with the village, Landmark is obligated to fully restore the exterior of the building to meet the standards of the New Jersey State Historic Preservation Office which will hold a historic preservation easement on the property. The project will also include the build out of the interior into a restaurant and the addition of an outdoor beer garden.”

Last week’s vote came after several months of public hearings, during which residents raised concerns about pedestrian safety, noise, parking and adherence to historic preservation standards.

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Photo: Sheena Collum, Facebook