El centro de Newark dejó de ser solo un distrito comercial. Es una comunidad con comercios, hogares, arte, entretenimiento y educación que está en auge.

Tim Lizura
NJPAC Executive Vice President, Real Estate & Capital Projects

Long before the first brick was laid at NJPAC, we made a commitment to the economic development of Newark. NJPAC was not meant to be a one-time construction project, or a shiny new building isolated in the middle of downtown. Opening our performing arts center was only the first step in an ongoing process of joyful community revitalization. We continue to invest in Newark’s growth, and we’re making big moves to bring that vision to life:

A first step towards a new NJPAC

NJPAC has begun redeveloping the land surrounding its theaters. Ultimately, by 2027, the Arts Center’s campus will become an arts-infused neighborhood filled with 350 residential units, restaurants, stores and cultural venues including the new Cooperman Family Arts Education and Community Center. 

Step one in advancing the evolution of our campus is a redesign of Chambers Plaza and Essex County Green, NJPAC’s “front yard,” which will become a four-season urban park where performances, markets and more can be held year-round.

To enable that work, this week we will dismantle the arched entryway of the Military Park Hotel, which has stood in our arrivals court since 1997. Although the arch is neither historic nor protected, we’ve displayed it as a nod to our neighborhood’s history; it will be rebuilt in a new location when our campus redesign is complete. 

LA TRANSFORMACIÓN DE UN ESTACIONAMIENTO EN UN VECINDARIO

You might remember Joni Mitchell’s famous lyric: “They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.” Well, we’re doing the opposite, by transforming NJPAC’s current Parking Lot A into the centerpiece of a vibrant new neighborhood, ArtSide. This open, welcoming public realm will be for both Newark residents and visitors to enjoy. Mayor Ras Baraka calls this project “a game-changing step forward for the evolution of Newark’s downtown, creating an ideal live-work-play environment in the city’s heart—and making more affordable housing available for families of all kinds.”

The development includes a midrise residential building (seven stories) and a high-rise residential building (approximately 25 stories) on  Center Street, totaling 350 residential rental units with 70 affordable housing units and 15 townhome-style units.

Habrá un enfoque en los espacios públicos aptos para peatones, los negocios relacionados con el arte y la alimentación y el comercio minorista con atención al público. 

 

THE COOPERMAN FAMILY ARTS EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY CENTER

Slated to open in fall 2026, The Cooperman Center will serve as a neighborhood hub for performing arts classes, the creation of new performance work, arts and well-being programs, free community activities, academic research, and professional development for educators. 

Diseñado por el estudio de arquitectura Weiss/Manfredi, the 58,000 square foot building will sit in NJPAC’s front yard, at the corner of Center and Mulberry Streets. This new facility will allow us to expand our already extensive array of performing arts education programs for Newark and New Jersey youth as well as free arts programming for our entire community, from babies to seniors.

 

UN SOUTH WARD REVITALIZADO CON LIONSGATE NEWARK

Continuing to position Newark as a center for creativity, arts, entertainment and industry, NJPAC will collaborate with Lionsgate entertainment company, The Studio Group and the city of Newark in opening a new 250,000 square foot TV and film production studio. Lionsgate Newark contará con cinco estudios de sonido, una instalación de construcción de escenarios, edición de postproducción, camiones de personal y servicios de catering.

The studio will be built on the former site of Seth Boyden Court, the long-abandoned public housing complex. The 15-acre compound will also include housing, led by Newark Housing Authority. 

Un estudio de impacto económico estima que Lionsgate Newark creará entre 500 y 600 empleos permanentes en las instalaciones y generará hasta $800 millones de dólares en actividad económica. Agradecemos al gobernador Phil Murphy y a la legislatura por defender el nuevo programa de crédito fiscal de New Jersey para el cine, la televisión y los medios digitales.

 

LES DAMOS LA BIENVENIDA A LOS RESIDENTES DE ONE THEATER SQUARE

In 2018, we threw open the doors of One Theater Square, the first new construction market-rate high-rise residential tower to be built in Newark in 60 years. A symbol of our downtown revival, it sits right across from NJPAC on Center Street. The apartments have sweeping city views and luxury amenities, with 24 units reserved for low-income residents, prioritizing those currently living in Newark.