SOMERVILLE, NJ

NEIGHBORHOOD ANCHORED BY TRANSIT STATION, MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL OVER RETAIL

Project incorporates existing Train Station
Borough Council Meeting Chambers
Flexible Community Meeting Spaces
Voting Precinct Center
530 Total Units:
5 Live-Work Units
78 Stacked For-Sale Housing - (156 units)
369 Rental Housing Units
Transit Commuter Parking Garage
Co-working Office Space
4000SF Retail

Developer Competition, Masterplanning, Programming, Entitlement, Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, Construction Implementation

BUILDING TYPES

Podium IBC Type V Mixed-Use Residential
Corridor Type V Residential
Texas Wrap/Donut Residential
Wrapped Parking Garages
Stacked Housing

Somerville Station, located in northern New Jersey, is a premier example of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), seamlessly blending urban living with accessibility and community-focused design. This thoughtfully planned neighborhood connects residents to downtown Somerville and New York City via NJ Transit’s network, fostering convenience and walkability.  Brian O’Looney led this neighborhood design as a partner-in-charge and lead designer at Torti Gallas & Partners.

The development integrates directly with the Somerville Train Station, incorporating a pre-existing pedestrian tunnel that ensures residents and commuters can travel between the station, their homes, and downtown Somerville, all while remaining warm and dry. This tunnel also provides safe access under the railroad tracks, enhancing connectivity for all neighborhood residents.

At the heart of the development lies Somerville Civic Center Square, a central public space designed to serve as a transit arrival plaza and community hub. Framed by apartment buildings, live-work retail, co-working spaces and the leasing office, the square invites commuters, residents, and visitors with its tree-lined streets, wider sidewalks, and vibrant retail spaces with outdoor seating. Inspired by historical precedents like Forest Hills Station Square in Queens, NY, and Lake Forest Station Plaza in Illinois, Civic Center Square embodies timeless principles of great public places, offering green space and a welcoming pedestrian realm.

Connectivity and Design
The site plan prioritizes access and urban integration, with Robeson Street connecting to major roads like South Bridge Street and Station Road, providing easy commuter access to Route 206. South Bridge Street extends to Main Street, seamlessly linking the development to downtown Somerville’s amenities. A planned future connection under the tracks at Davenport Street, will further enhance accessibility between the new neighborhood and the town core.

The architecture reflects Somerville’s rich heritage, blending modern design with historical character. The buildings incorporate intricate courtyards, rooftop decks, and stepped massing, transitioning from three-story buildings near existing structures to four-story buildings at the development’s core. Distinct façade identities echo the cadence of downtown’s urban fabric, ensuring the new neighborhood feels both complementary and authentic.

Urban Growth and Sustainability
The Somerville Station development is designed as a flexible fragment of urbanism that can grow over time, allowing adjacent parcels to be added and enhance its vibrancy while adhering to key principles:

• Creating an inviting destination.

• Building walkable streets.

• Prioritizing green space and sustainability.

• Screening parking to maintain a pedestrian-friendly environment.

These priorities ensure that future growth complements the initial design, fostering a cohesive and sustainable urban community.

Amenities and Community Features
Avalon Somerville Station offers a wealth of amenities, creating a sense of tranquility and connection for residents. Highlights include:

• A dog park, pool, fitness center, grilling stations, and numerous courtyards.

• Work and collaboration spaces, gathering areas, and club rooms.

• Rooftop decks overlooking community events and celebrations in downtown Somerville.

The development also incorporates public spaces such as Borough Council Chambers for all residents of the jurisdiction, retail spaces, and opportunities for small businesses, enriching the experience for both residents and the broader community.

Somerset Station links the borough's downtown through bike and pedestrian paths to the recently completed 17-acre open space area that adjoins this precinct as part of the project, and extends through a trail network to Duke Farms, further enhancing the walkable, healthy lifestyle the Borough promotes.  Further, the open space acts as a stormwater bank, serving the growth needs of the existing downtown, without having to create stormwater ponds that would detract from the walkable downtown environment. Somerville Station demonstrates how thoughtful design, transit connectivity, and community-oriented planning can transform an area into a vibrant and sustainable neighborhood that fosters both urban convenience and a sense of belonging.