Clarus building updates
Dont worry about your anti bank bugaboo.. branches are disappearing not increasing.. and r/e foot prints shrinking.
Sad fact (for you). People go to and want a Starbucks. It may not fit in with your fantasy view of the world but it is reality. See Gregory's coffee in NYC for an example of businesses that compete and thrive in the face of Starbucks. Also after all the teeth gnashing about another nail salon I see they are both still in Business, clearly there is demand. Business owners, especially small business owners tend to be practical-- they will only lose money for so long.
You would be better off offering your insights to the 2 restaurants that seem to be struggling across from new site on how they can attract customers.
For all the complaints about how "ugly " the building is-- COME on the post office was dog sh*t ugly. Frankly most of the strip is not visually appealing. Get over it and be happy someone is investing downtown. (not i am not discussing the sale process about which I dont know the facts).
SOguy said:
Dont worry about your anti bank bugaboo.. branches are disappearing not increasing.. and r/e foot prints shrinking.
Sad fact (for you). People go to and want a Starbucks. It may not fit in with your fantasy view of the world but it is reality. See Gregory's coffee in NYC for an example of businesses that compete and thrive in the face of Starbucks. Also after all the teeth gnashing about another nail salon I see they are both still in Business, clearly there is demand. Business owners, especially small business owners tend to be practical-- they will only lose money for so long.
You would be better off offering your insights to the 2 restaurants that seem to be struggling across from new site on how they can attract customers.
For all the complaints about how "ugly " the building is-- COME on the post office was dog sh*t ugly. Frankly most of the strip is not visually appealing. Get over it and be happy someone is investing downtown. (not i am not discussing the sale process about which I dont know the facts).
One.............I pointedly did not say that the new building looked ugly............mediocre is the word
Two...........a third nail salon went out of business and left a few years ago
Three.............2 restaurants struggling across from the new site?
My prediction.............the Starbucks will last two years. Simply not the foot traffic they demand for volume sales
yes commuters come flying in first thing in the morning..............but that is one big influx, no more
an equal number of commuters come from their homes to the Train Station on the other side of the track. They
will not cross through the tunnel to get a cup of coffee when it is available right at the concession in the Train Station
Starbucks............will go the route of the Millburn Starbucks
Millburn Starbucks is still there last I checked. Perhaps you havent heard of the new technology Starbucks is rolling out. Mobile ordering.. Starbucks very diff than coffee from train station (which I like). If you get a chance watch the Starbucks investor day presentation on their website.. I think you will be surprised.
Yes.. 2 restaurants struggling.. just walk around and see.. (one or both will go out before Starbucks does)
Re Nail salon.. right the market works.. what replaced it?
I did hear yesterday that the Millburn Starbucks is closing. I heard that the reason is that the rent is too high. It stands to reason - it's the best location in town. Starbucks doesn't need a best location in town to be successful.
eta - I also heard that Starbucks might be relocating.
btw - The South Orange Starbucks is doing just fine. It's been there for 20 years. I suspect that Dunkin' Donuts and Cait & Abby get more commuter business than Starbucks.
@ctrzaska can tell you how busy it is at 11:00 pm. 
I think the Millburn Starbucks would be better off closer to the train station. There are quite a few empty spaces that would fit with that. The current Milburn location is considerably farther from the train station than Summit, South Orange or the coming Maplewood one.
cramer said:
I did hear yesterday that the Millburn Starbucks is closing. I heard that the reason is that the rent is too high. It stands to reason - it's the best location in town. Starbucks doesn't need a best location in town to be successful.
eta - I also heard that Starbucks might be relocating.
btw - The South Orange Starbucks is doing just fine. It's been there for 20 years. I suspect that Dunkin' Donuts and Cait & Abby get more commuter business than Starbucks.
@ctrzaska can tell you how busy it is at 11:00 pm.
So. Orange Starbucks has an ideal location. Some one gets a A for scouting out that one
I can think of one Struggling. I was taken to the wood shed for mentioning that it was empty at lunch time
Now you have me curious about the second one
You know , I probably pass 3 times a week the spot where the now defunct nail saloon was. For the life of me
cannot picture the new store. More homework
Both So. Orange Starbucks and Cait and Abbey do a tremendous coffee to go business
Back in Maplewood , Village coffee sells about 200 cups of coffee to go every day
SOguy said:
Millburn Starbucks is still there last I checked. Perhaps you havent heard of the new technology Starbucks is rolling out. Mobile ordering.. Starbucks very diff than coffee from train station (which I like). If you get a chance watch the Starbucks investor day presentation on their website.. I think you will be surprised.
Yes.. 2 restaurants struggling.. just walk around and see.. (one or both will go out before Starbucks does)
Re Nail salon.. right the market works.. what replaced it?
cramer said:
I did hear yesterday that the Millburn Starbucks is closing. I heard that the reason is that the rent is too high. It stands to reason - it's the best location in town. Starbucks doesn't need a best location in town to be successful.
eta - I also heard that Starbucks might be relocating.
btw - The South Orange Starbucks is doing just fine. It's been there for 20 years. I suspect that Dunkin' Donuts and Cait & Abby get more commuter business than Starbucks.
@ctrzaska can tell you how busy it is at 11:00 pm.
Pretty crowded last evening at 10:45pm. Mostly middle-school-aged kids hanging out, which isn't such a bad thing considering what idle middle schoolers can get up to.
This is what Mr. Meier is designing and building in Newark, as we speak.
http://www.richardmeier.com/?projects=teachers-village-2
It's a mixed-use development with low-rise buildings. He's designing a downtown destination. Just tossing that out there.
nohero said:
This is what Mr. Meier is designing and building in Newark, as we speak.
http://www.richardmeier.com/?projects=teachers-village-2
It's a mixed-use development with low-rise buildings. He's designing a downtown destination. Just tossing that out there.
"The saddest words of mice and men, are not what is but what might have been"
author said:
nohero said:
This is what Mr. Meier is designing and building in Newark, as we speak.
http://www.richardmeier.com/?projects=teachers-village-2
It's a mixed-use development with low-rise buildings. He's designing a downtown destination. Just tossing that out there.
"The saddest words of mice and men, are not what is but what might have been"
200 residential units?
Stoughton said:
author said:
nohero said:
This is what Mr. Meier is designing and building in Newark, as we speak.
http://www.richardmeier.com/?projects=teachers-village-2
It's a mixed-use development with low-rise buildings. He's designing a downtown destination. Just tossing that out there.
"The saddest words of mice and men, are not what is but what might have been"
200 residential units?
One of the goals of several past Newark Administrations has been to re vitalize downtown Newark through
increasing viable housing stock. There are I believe a few high rise office building that have been rehabbed to
be residential. The old Newark Evening News building in the downtown section was years ago redone to be
practically luxury apartments. Earliest residents were given generous subsidies to encourage their purchase
Rehabbing old buildings is becoming more and more popular. Even the old Hahnes department store is being converted to downtown apartments
Also with 3 new charter schools rising within the greater project and the many educational institutions already
extant.............the idea of near by teacher housing is a good fit
author said:
Stoughton said:
author said:
nohero said:
This is what Mr. Meier is designing and building in Newark, as we speak.
http://www.richardmeier.com/?projects=teachers-village-2
It's a mixed-use development with low-rise buildings. He's designing a downtown destination. Just tossing that out there.
"The saddest words of mice and men, are not what is but what might have been"
200 residential units?
One of the goals of several past Newark Administrations has been to re vitalize downtown Newark through
increasing viable housing stock. There are I believe a few high rise office building that have been rehabbed to
be residential. The old Newark Evening News building in the downtown section was years ago redone to be
practically luxury apartments. Earliest residents were given generous subsidies to encourage their purchase
Rehabbing old buildings is becoming more and more popular. Even the old Hahnes department store is being converted to downtown apartments
Also with 3 new charter schools rising within the greater project and the many educational institutions already
extant.............the idea of near by teacher housing is a good fit
I don't know if Mr. Author looked at the link I provided. There are pictures of the low-rise, mixed-use buildings designed by Mr. Meier. And "Clarus" (not going to defend that name) is a similar low-rise, mixed-use building.
nohero said:
author said:
Stoughton said:
author said:
nohero said:
This is what Mr. Meier is designing and building in Newark, as we speak.
http://www.richardmeier.com/?projects=teachers-village-2
It's a mixed-use development with low-rise buildings. He's designing a downtown destination. Just tossing that out there.
"The saddest words of mice and men, are not what is but what might have been"
200 residential units?
One of the goals of several past Newark Administrations has been to re vitalize downtown Newark through
increasing viable housing stock. There are I believe a few high rise office building that have been rehabbed to
be residential. The old Newark Evening News building in the downtown section was years ago redone to be
practically luxury apartments. Earliest residents were given generous subsidies to encourage their purchase
Rehabbing old buildings is becoming more and more popular. Even the old Hahnes department store is being converted to downtown apartments
Also with 3 new charter schools rising within the greater project and the many educational institutions already
extant.............the idea of near by teacher housing is a good fit
I don't know if Mr. Author looked at the link I provided. There are pictures of the low-rise, mixed-use buildings designed by Mr. Meier. And "Clarus" (not going to defend that name) is a similar low-rise, mixed-use building.
Yes.............with a dedication and a purpose to help improve the community. Specifically the housing it will
provide is for teachers. It will also provide three charter schools. It's over all goal is to help re populate downtown
Newark.
Clarus is designed for those few who can afford what will probably be the highest rentals in Maplewood Township
Few if any Senior Citizens will benefit from the apartments. Most middle class residents would spend half their
income on the rent. The population of the Township will not have any use of the residential part of the building
The "quality" stores we were promised? Please any one of them can be found in any suburban community.
This edifice profits no one but the builder and owner. It had so much potential
What I am saying, possibly poorly , is that not only the type of architecture important
but it's intent. This building was clearly aimed at the Transit Village Concept..............
promoted by NJIT and I think too easily accepted by our Town Fathers
It serves few............the rest of us if we are lucky can make a bank deposit
and sip a latte'.........already available at several places in the Village
Richard Meier is a world class architect (though I find his work mostly has a one note sameness to it). But if this was proposed for Author's quaint Maplewood Village I think he would be the first to complain (though I think adding something like this would be an interesting change of pace)
ska said:
Richard Meier is a world class architect (though I find his work mostly has a one note sameness to it). But if this was proposed for Author's quaint Maplewood Village I think he would be the first to complain (though I think adding something like this would be an interesting change of pace)
No..........though the concept is largely the same, there is a uniqueness about it. I would complain if the apartments
were priced to the point where 90% plus of those here in town could not afford it.............and I think that would
be the case but at least that building does not look like the plans were taken out of a file cabinet
I do think something, on a smaller scale, like that Meier building would be lovely.
My Main st USA comment was less about design than the temporary looking nature. Perhaps Celebration, FL, or the look of many faux-town factory outlet entrances would have been more appropriate, had I taken more time to think about it.
That the argument was always a blah and cheap-looking JMF building vs keeping the PO building was an unfortunate argument to have gotten stuck in. I never had a problem with the old PO coming down, but this new building already looks like vaguely designed poo, and will look worse in a decade or two.
http://www.clarustherapeutics.com/
Clarus Therapeutics is an emerging men's health specialty pharmaceutical company developing JATENZO®, our oral testosterone, or T, replacement therapy.
I'm tired of the criticism of the building on the basis that it won't be inexpensive. I'm all for affordable housing in town, and there are efforts to provide it within Maplewood. That said, diversity of housing in town would also include rental units for people without children who commute to NY or Newark or Hudson County. And people who work in those places generally can afford a "luxury" apartment. Personally, I think it's great that we have the Station House (even it if really is ugly) and the "Clarus" for people who are empty nesters or young professionals who want to stay in Maplewood or move to Maplewood. Not everyone wants a big house that they need to pay taxes on and maintain. And until the last few years there were no appropriate rental properties in town that were easy for train commuters.
A lot of people talk about doing things to keep older folks in town after their kids grow up, and these kind of apartments are a way of doing that. And generally older people who sell a home in Maplewood these days are likely to reap enough of a profit that they wouldn't even qualify for affordable housing.
orzabelle said:
I do think something, on a smaller scale, like that Meier building would be lovely.
My Main st USA comment was less about design than the temporary looking nature. Perhaps Celebration, FL, or the look of many faux-town factory outlet entrances would have been more appropriate, had I taken more time to think about it.
That the argument was always a blah and cheap-looking JMF building vs keeping the PO building was an unfortunate argument to have gotten stuck in. I never had a problem with the old PO coming down, but this new building already looks like vaguely designed poo, and will look worse in a decade or two.
The argument to retro fit the post office had many facets. In terms of the environment there would have been far less
energy used. No major demolition and carting away of materials. Far fewer brand new materials purchased and brought in for use. Far more choices of design and function to serve the community. The arguments for
retrofitting were many and imaginative. The building could have served the Community..........not some narrow
private interest
orzabelle said:
I do think something, on a smaller scale, like that Meier building would be lovely.
My Main st USA comment was less about design than the temporary looking nature. Perhaps Celebration, FL, or the look of many faux-town factory outlet entrances would have been more appropriate, had I taken more time to think about it.
That the argument was always a blah and cheap-looking JMF building vs keeping the PO building was an unfortunate argument to have gotten stuck in. I never had a problem with the old PO coming down, but this new building already looks like vaguely designed poo, and will look worse in a decade or two.
The argument to retro fit the post office had many facets. In terms of the environment there would have been far less
energy used. No major demolition and carting away of materials. Far fewer brand new materials purchased and brought in for use. Far more choices of design and function to serve the community. The arguments for
retrofitting were many and imaginative. The building could have served the Community..........not some narrow
private interest
ml1 said:
I'm tired of the criticism of the building on the basis that it won't be inexpensive. I'm all for affordable housing in town, and there are efforts to provide it within Maplewood. That said, diversity of housing in town would also include rental units for people without children who commute to NY or Newark or Hudson County. And people who work in those places generally can afford a "luxury" apartment. Personally, I think it's great that we have the Station House (even it if really is ugly) and the "Clarus" for people who are empty nesters or young professionals who want to stay in Maplewood or move to Maplewood. Not everyone wants a big house that they need to pay taxes on and maintain. And until the last few years there were no appropriate rental properties in town that were easy for train commuters.
A lot of people talk about doing things to keep older folks in town after their kids grow up, and these kind of apartments are a way of doing that. And generally older people who sell a home in Maplewood these days are likely to reap enough of a profit that they wouldn't even qualify for affordable housing.
Tell me you are kidding about keeping older folks in town. In my own family I have a loved one who is about to leave
Maplewood because of the high taxes. How many old folk do you know who are on a fixed income that can
afford to pay in the neighborhood of $36,000.00 a year for a one bedroom rental.
Wake up and smell the coffee! Even if it is Starbucks issue.
yahooyahoo said:
http://www.clarustherapeutics.com/
Clarus Therapeutics is an emerging men's health specialty pharmaceutical company developing JATENZO®, our oral testosterone, or T, replacement therapy.
Why not?
ml1 said:
A lot of people talk about doing things to keep older folks in town after their kids grow up, and these kind of apartments are a way of doing that. And generally older people who sell a home in Maplewood these days are likely to reap enough of a profit that they wouldn't even qualify for affordable housing.
Like author, I'm having trouble imagining how these apartments will be an attractive alternative for empty nesters who are looking to leave their Maplewood mortgages and property taxes behind.
author said:
FilmCarp said:
It's not pressed wood. It's OSB (oriented strand board) and perfect for this application. Wood chips with glue and a mesh, and weather resistant. Doesn't warp or delaminate like plywood. I can practically see the posters above looking down their noses at the stuff, but it's the right thing to use. Modern building materials, when properly installed, are very good and make better use of natural resources.
Thank the stars........we would not want the 3rd dry cleaner, 4th bank, something like 7th coffee outlet and
20 or 30th restaurant housed in nothing but the best. The women's running clothes store............no experience
with that one.
I am hoping the sidewalk on the Maplewood Avenue side will be wide enough to return our benches previously placed in front of the building. And the real Community Bulletin board needs to be placed close by so little Mary Jones can advertise her babysitting
services and Ralph's Plumbing can do the same without asking anyone's permission to
post
Is the community board digital? Otherwise who would use it?
DaveSchmidt said:
ml1 said:
A lot of people talk about doing things to keep older folks in town after their kids grow up, and these kind of apartments are a way of doing that. And generally older people who sell a home in Maplewood these days are likely to reap enough of a profit that they wouldn't even qualify for affordable housing.
Like author, I'm having trouble imagining how these apartments will be an attractive alternative for empty nesters who are looking to leave their Maplewood mortgages and property taxes behind.
If you've been in your house since before Midtown Direct, odds are you have substantial equity in it by this point. Let's say $400k and you've been paying $20k/year in taxes and another $5k in maintenance. Assuming a 3% post-tax return on your equity, you've got $37k right there in housing savings (without touching the principal).
Steve said:
DaveSchmidt said:
ml1 said:
A lot of people talk about doing things to keep older folks in town after their kids grow up, and these kind of apartments are a way of doing that. And generally older people who sell a home in Maplewood these days are likely to reap enough of a profit that they wouldn't even qualify for affordable housing.
Like author, I'm having trouble imagining how these apartments will be an attractive alternative for empty nesters who are looking to leave their Maplewood mortgages and property taxes behind.
If you've been in your house since before Midtown Direct, odds are you have substantial equity in it by this point. Let's say $400k and you've been paying $20k/year in taxes and another $5k in maintenance. Assuming a 3% post-tax return on your equity, you've got $37k right there in housing savings (without touching the principal).
^This.
If you have been in your home for 20 years or so, you're probably still paying down the mortgage. And you may have $1500-$2000 a month in property taxes. Add in all the maintenance, and how much it costs to heat and cool a 100 year home. Plus the work that goes into cleaning and repairing, and landscaping, etc.
Someone who wants to stay in Maplewood could rent a 2 bedroom apartment to have a spare room for when the kids visit, and reduce their monthly outlay substantially. Not to mention the lessened responsibilities of upkeep. I'm not suggesting this would be for everyone. But certainly there could be 20 SOMA couples whose kids have moved out who would find an apartment next to the train station attractive.
author said:
orzabelle said:
I do think something, on a smaller scale, like that Meier building would be lovely.
My Main st USA comment was less about design than the temporary looking nature. Perhaps Celebration, FL, or the look of many faux-town factory outlet entrances would have been more appropriate, had I taken more time to think about it.
That the argument was always a blah and cheap-looking JMF building vs keeping the PO building was an unfortunate argument to have gotten stuck in. I never had a problem with the old PO coming down, but this new building already looks like vaguely designed poo, and will look worse in a decade or two.
The argument to retro fit the post office had many facets. In terms of the environment there would have been far less
energy used. No major demolition and carting away of materials. Far fewer brand new materials purchased and brought in for use. Far more choices of design and function to serve the community. The arguments for
retrofitting were many and imaginative. The building could have served the Community..........not some narrow
private interest
ml1 said:
I'm tired of the criticism of the building on the basis that it won't be inexpensive. I'm all for affordable housing in town, and there are efforts to provide it within Maplewood. That said, diversity of housing in town would also include rental units for people without children who commute to NY or Newark or Hudson County. And people who work in those places generally can afford a "luxury" apartment. Personally, I think it's great that we have the Station House (even it if really is ugly) and the "Clarus" for people who are empty nesters or young professionals who want to stay in Maplewood or move to Maplewood. Not everyone wants a big house that they need to pay taxes on and maintain. And until the last few years there were no appropriate rental properties in town that were easy for train commuters.
A lot of people talk about doing things to keep older folks in town after their kids grow up, and these kind of apartments are a way of doing that. And generally older people who sell a home in Maplewood these days are likely to reap enough of a profit that they wouldn't even qualify for affordable housing.
Tell me you are kidding about keeping older folks in town. In my own family I have a loved one who is about to leave
Maplewood because of the high taxes. How many old folk do you know who are on a fixed income that can
afford to pay in the neighborhood of $36,000.00 a year for a one bedroom rental.
Wake up and smell the coffee! Even if it is Starbucks issue.
I don't kid about these things.
My observation of your posts on this topic over the years is that you seem to think everyone is like you and shares your experience and that of the people you know directly.
But there are many people in this town who have built up tremendous equity in their homes. They are by no means in need of affordable housing. They are young enough to still be working. If they aren't interested in a luxury rental, it wouldn't be because they can't afford it.
Another potential market are divorced people who want to stay in Maplewood to be near their kids to make joint custody easier. And maybe they're not ready to buy another home. Again, not everyone is you.
Steve said:
DaveSchmidt said:
ml1 said:
A lot of people talk about doing things to keep older folks in town after their kids grow up, and these kind of apartments are a way of doing that. And generally older people who sell a home in Maplewood these days are likely to reap enough of a profit that they wouldn't even qualify for affordable housing.
Like author, I'm having trouble imagining how these apartments will be an attractive alternative for empty nesters who are looking to leave their Maplewood mortgages and property taxes behind.
If you've been in your house since before Midtown Direct, odds are you have substantial equity in it by this point. Let's say $400k and you've been paying $20k/year in taxes and another $5k in maintenance. Assuming a 3% post-tax return on your equity, you've got $37k right there in housing savings (without touching the principal).
And assuming you are on a fixed income like most Seniors............would you then spend practically one tenth of that
money for housing...every year............forgo all tax breaks and have a neighbor like me in your golden years
author said:
Steve said:
DaveSchmidt said:
ml1 said:
A lot of people talk about doing things to keep older folks in town after their kids grow up, and these kind of apartments are a way of doing that. And generally older people who sell a home in Maplewood these days are likely to reap enough of a profit that they wouldn't even qualify for affordable housing.
Like author, I'm having trouble imagining how these apartments will be an attractive alternative for empty nesters who are looking to leave their Maplewood mortgages and property taxes behind.
If you've been in your house since before Midtown Direct, odds are you have substantial equity in it by this point. Let's say $400k and you've been paying $20k/year in taxes and another $5k in maintenance. Assuming a 3% post-tax return on your equity, you've got $37k right there in housing savings (without touching the principal).
And assuming you are on a fixed income like most Seniors............would you then spend practically one tenth of that
money for housing...every year............forgo all tax breaks and have a neighbor like me in your golden years
I don't know how many, but there are empty-nesters who live in Gaslight Commons and The Avenue.
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