The Nell At Dunellen Station
Project Name: The Nell At Dunellen Station
Transit adjacent conversion of a brownfield industrial site into a major mixed-use housing and retail development that builds pedestrian-friendly connections to neighborhood amenities and Dunellen’s downtown.
Primary Partner Team: Borough of Dunellen | Dynamic Engineering Consultants PC | Menlo Engineering Associates, Inc. | Prism Capital Partners | Spiezle Architectural Group
Nell at Dunellen Station is an exciting new transit-adjacent development that is transforming Dunellen, a traditional working-class town, by introducing a vibrant commercial corridor and adding much-needed housing units in a mixed-use setting. The project repurposes a formerly defunct 19-acre brownfield industrial site, which had long sat vacant despite its prime location near both the existing downtown and the NJ Transit Dunellen Train Station.
What makes this project particularly noteworthy is the strong partnership between the municipality and the developer. Smaller-sized municipalities, like Dunellen, are not traditionally viewed as a prime candidate for redevelopment. However, the township’s leaders recognized the potential within their community and were proactive in partnering with developers who shared their vision for smart growth, density, and an expanded town center. This collaboration exemplifies how smaller municipalities can leverage their assets to achieve significant, positive change. “Dunellen Station is a living example of municipal government and developers working together to benefit communities for the long term,” said Robert Fourniadis, Senior Vice President of Prism Capital Partners, a primary partner in the award-winning project.
Through cooperation and a shared vision, this public-private partnership has resulted in a development that offers the town 258 new rental units, including 58 units reserved for low- and moderate-income residents. Additionally, the Nell at Dunellen introduces 130 townhomes and over 10,000 square feet of new retail space right in the heart of town. Both residential and commercial spaces within this development were 100% leased within months of construction completion. Mayor Jason Cilento emphasized the transformative impact of the development, stating, “We are confident that the thoughtful approach and outstanding design of The Nell at Dunellen Station will bring the types of benefits to our downtown that redevelopment is supposed to bring.”
The Nell at Dunellen Station is not just a development; it’s a model for how smaller towns across New Jersey can approach and implement redevelopment and connect new projects to existing businesses and open spaces to encourage commercial and recreational activity. By leveraging their existing infrastructure—particularly proximity to public transportation and fostering strong public-private partnerships—towns like Dunellen can achieve smart growth that benefits both current residents and future generations.
New Jersey Future is proud to honor the Nell at Dunellen Station as a recipient of a 2024 Smart Growth Award. This project stands as a testament to the power of consistent leadership and commitment to redevelopment. The Nell at Dunellen Station not only utilizes its strategic location, but also brings a new density of commercial and residential life that will energize the community for years to come.
