It Takes a Village: Teachers Village

(All Images © Richard Meier and Partners)

We have highlighted mixed-use developments that focus on the Creative Class (Creating a Creative Village for the Creative Class) in Orlando, Florida and a Medical Village (Union Village, $1.5 Billion for Retail Medical Mixed-Use) in Henderson, Nevada.  Not to be outdone – Newark broke ground this month on Teachers Village – a mega mixed-use complex of education facilities, housing, retail, and restaurants.

(Approximate Project Area)

The project will consist of 8 building in all and include three charter schools, a daycare center, 200 plus apartments for teachers, and 70,000 sf of retail and restaurant space.  The $150 million project will encompass 4 blocks of downtown Newark.  Leading the development is RBH Group with design by world renowned architect and New Jersey native RichardMeier and Partners Architects with KSS Architects and Mikeselland Associates.

More information can be found in the following articles:
NJ.com:  Newark to break ground on long-awaited Teachers Village


And for leasing information - see the following pdf from Jacobs Enterprises:
Teachers Village


Here is a video of the project as well from NJ.com:

Watch Officials Unveil Teachers Village Plan for Newark on PBS. See more from WNJT.

Here is an excerpt from the Press Release:

Teachers Village at Four Corners is a mixed-use development envisioned for downtown Newark south of Market Street and west of Broad Street. Teachers Village will encompass eight buildings and five of which will be designed by Richard Meier & Partners Architects, including a Workforce Housing, Charter Schools and retail space located along Halsey Street between Branford Place and Pearl Street. These elements will provide approximately 200 residential units for teachers, comprised mainly of studios, one bedroom and two bedroom apartments, three charter schools and a variety of retail spaces at street level. Sustainable design, new landscaping and streetscape improvements, including signage, are integral to the goal of creating an exemplary design for a flourishing community in Newark.

Given the current state of the existing properties, this project will certainly transform an area of downtown Newark from tired and old to new and vibrant.  Add its proximity to the Prudential Center, Federal Offices and nearby transit - and it may be the momentum the city needs for future retail development.