Nearly 20 percent of office space across the country sits vacant. West Orange recognized the need to repurpose four outdated office buildings, totaling 400,000 square feet, into something more valuable for the community. The result is Stonehill, a redevelopment that has transformed an underused office park into a vibrant, mixed-use destination.

Stonehill delivers 425 luxury rental residences with a full suite of indoor and outdoor lifestyle amenities, creating a resort-like environment where residents can live, work, and play. The design includes multiple lounges, fitness spaces, game rooms, and lobbies filled with natural light. Residents describe it as having the feel of a “ski lodge” set into the hilltop landscape. More than 85 percent of the community is already leased, reflecting strong demand for new housing options in the township.

The redevelopment addresses a wide spectrum of housing needs. It offers high-end rental choices for those seeking convenience, while also including 64 affordable units. The township also relocated its public library, freeing up space for a 65-unit affordable senior housing complex with five units reserved as permanent supportive housing for homeless residents. This allowed for the creation of a new and improved library facility for the community. The project responds to local demand from young professionals, families, downsizers, and renters by choice, while integrating affordability into the same amenity-rich environment.

Public benefits extend beyond the residences. The redevelopment created a new two-acre dog park shaped directly by community input, improved sidewalks for walkability, and built connections to the nearby Essex Green Town Center, where shopping, dining, and entertainment are now within easy reach.

Environmental and resilience measures were built into the design. Roof materials reduce the heat island effect, while rain gardens manage stormwater runoff and enhance the landscape. The development supports sustainable mobility with new sidewalks and a daily shuttle to NJ Transit’s Orange train station. Twenty-six parking spaces include charging stations for electric vehicles, further encouraging greener transportation choices.

New Jersey Future is proud to recognize Stonehill as a recipient of a 2025 Smart Growth Award. This development shows how towns can rethink obsolete properties and transform them into places that balance housing, amenities, sustainability, and connectivity.