Garden Street Lofts

History
Located at 1425 Garden Street in Hoboken, this 1919 building once served as both a storage warehouse and coconut processing plant. The factory processed coconuts to be used as shredded toppings on Hostess snowball cupcakes.^[1]

(Re)Developer
The developer of the conversion was Lawrence Bijou or Bijou Properties. The firm focuses its efforts on acquiring and transforming under-performing properties and converting them into first-class buildings. Along with this, green building practices are implemented.^[2]

SHoP Architects was brought on to lead the conversion project. The Manhattan-based firm includes architectural and construction divisions. Their projects span the US as well as in China and South Korea.^[3]

Outcome
Bijou and SHoP successfully finished the conversion project in 2009, resulting in 30 luxury condominiums and a sedum ground-covered, grassy roof for carbon monoxide emissions. The mixed residential high-rise is the first such building in New Jersey to also receive Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification which it was awarded in 2010.^[4]

The construction process utilized environmentally-friendly strategies and materials to repurpose the old factory, so as to create a reduced carbon footprint for its tenants. With the reuse of the building being the ultimate green aspect, the building also includes: cleaner, filtered fresh air; low-VOC paints and finishes; high ceilings and large windows for more natural light and reduced heating/cooling needs; sedum-covered green roof; energy requirements purchased from wind and other alternative energy resources.^[5] The project is helping transform an area once known for its industry into a healthy environment for families looking for ways to reduce their environmental impact.<sup>[6]

[1]</sup>The Jersey Journal
^[2]Bijou Properties
^[3]SHoP Architects
^[4]The Jersey Journal
^[5]Garden Street Lofts
^[6]Inhabitat

Renderings courtesy of Garden Street Lofts.