HADDON HEIGHTS – A “green” roof with a view and an elevator that speeds the ride to the top are two key features of a mixed commercial-residential building that will rise sometime in 2025 at the corner of Station Avenue and Whitehorse Pike.
The county’s land use committee approved the site plan for Station Avenue Lofts in May, and Mayor Zachary Houck said Wednesday the owners just notified him their design was complete.
Houck said more progress should be made in September. A 45-day period to appeal the board’s approval of the project expires Sept. 8. A final redevelopment agreement with the property owners should also be ready and presented at a town board meeting next month, he said.
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Typically, developers prefer to wait to start construction or demolition until the appeals period has expired and both sides have signed a final agreement, but the mayor said he believes demolition should begin at least in September.
The buildings to be removed are located at 501 and 503 Station Avenue and date from 1930 and 1940 respectively. They are the buildings closest to the northwest corner of the intersection.
“I am excited because this property meets a whole range of criteria and requirements,” said Houck.
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Houck said the project gives the main entrance to the commercial and historic districts “a vibrant, inviting look.” It is hoped that the two commercial spaces on the ground floor will be occupied by businesses that would provide a special attraction for both residents and non-residents, he said.
The three-story building will fit into the footprint of the existing buildings and total 16,977 square feet. Twelve apartments will be located on the upper floors. Two of the 12 apartments will be offered at affordable housing rates and the entire building will be compliant with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, said co-developer Anthony Gioielli.
“One of my goals is to attract young, maybe newlywed couples,” Houck said. The apartments should be in the price range of young couples and be close to the business district with a brewery and gym, he said.
Houck said the building will have an elevator, making it the only one in the city other than the Stanfill Towers, a senior living building. That should be an attractive feature for older tenants, he said.
Tenants and commercial customers will have access to a rooftop deck, a first for Haddon Heights. “We have our parks, but this will be a cool little thing,” Houck said.
Gioielli said the roof will be planted to give it a “garden feel” and allow rainwater to drain more naturally.
The developers are Gary Farrell of Cherry Hill and Gioielli of Mickleton.
Property records show that Broken Properties LLC of Cherry Hill purchased 501 Station Ave. in June 2022. Station Lofts LLC purchased 503 Station Ave. in August 2023.
Joe Smith is a Northeast Philadelphia native who moved to South Jersey 36 years ago. He now follows South Jersey government. He is a former editor and current managing editor at the Daily Journal in Vineland, the Courier-Post in Cherry Hill and the Burlington County Times.
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