Our meet is scheduled for 9:00AM, but in the Ironbound a little leeway is always given to men about to match wits. Today Jack and I are to meet with John Airoso, a successful developer who has aided in shaping the Ironbound with his various projects. His current office is on Jabez Street, in a multi-leveled build out for various commercial businesses. There is an indoor parking lot for the professional offices, and several outdoor parking spaces for visitors of the vendors besides the main building, including a coffee shop. On the opposite side of the street you’ll find a daycare. I am standing in near zero weather without gloves barely grasping my iPad when Jack arrives. I thank him for his promptness, all things considering the aforementioned, and we head in.
I am pleasantly surprised by the main building’s layout, as we make our way towards the second floor. The wood slated paneling on the walls and glossed finished floor work well, while the crown molding above each office’s doors gives the space a dash of traditional meets modern zest. We arrive at Mr. Airoso’s office, and take our seats. His office is furnished with blueprints, sketches, a black leather couch, three individual desk and filing cabinets lining the back wall. I briefly complimented the man behind this design and build out, as I was in the raw space just three years earlier contemplating a move from my offices on McWhorter Street.
After some more pleasantries, we delved into the Ironbound as a whole. We talked the community in general, the wantonness from a new brand of real estate consumer to the area and the Riverfront Park project. Mr. Airoso’s latest project is the Christie Riverfront Condominiums, with the site off of Freeman Street and Raymond Boulevard.* The project features include:
-12 foot arched ceiling with granite lobby
-Hardwood floors
-Ceramic Tile and Granite Countertops
-Video Intercom Systems
-Indoor Secure Parking
-GE Washer and Dryers
-High Efficiency NJ Energy Star Certified
The Riverfront Park is a huge undertaking from the City of Newark that will enrich this whole area, and the Christie Riverfront Condos are ideally located for taking it all in. You can walk the new park, and make your way to Red Bull Stadium for a summer match or make your way to one of many fine dining experiences Ferry Street offers. There are talks of expanding the project as a whole, but nothing is concrete as of yet.
I thanked Mr. Airoso, and we headed out to brave the cold for some coffee. We talked about Newark in general, the Greek Honors project, Springfield Market Place, Shaq’s proposed project, the new Prudential buildings and several other contributions that will inevitably change the image of this city forever. Thereafter, we said our goodbyes, albeit only temporarily.
*For more information please contact john@christiecondosNJ.com.
Front Unit Layout
Foyer