Developer, Morristown Break Ground on Early Street Apts

In a little over a year, expect to see a new apartment community on Early Street.

Mill Creek Residential Trust began demolishing homes and removing debris and brush in January to clear the land at 32 Early St., which will become the new location of Latitude, luxury rentals. Now that demolition has finished, construction will begin, marked by a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday.

“It does take a lot of time, but when you get it right, you break ground. It’s wonderful to be a part of a community that continues to grow,” Mayor Tim Dougherty said at the ceremony. 

“There were times that were difficult because Morristown comes first, not the developer. I think that the developer, Mill Creek, understood that that was our belief … (and that) is what makes that possible, the partnership with the community, administration and the town government to bring something (like this) that will benefit the community.”

Latitude is the first large-scale residential development to be constructed in almost four years in Morristown. Multifamily developer and investor Mill Creek Residential will transform the site into a luxury apartment community, with a first phase comprising 268 studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom upscale rental homes, with a 350-space parking garage incorporated into the structure, as well as a host of lifestyle amenities.

Initial occupancy for Latitude is planned to begin in 2014. Read more about Latitude in this Patch article.

“This project signals the start of the Speedwell Avenue Redevelopment that will undoubtedly have a positive and reverberating impact on Morristown, its businesses and most importantly its people,” Dougherty said. “Beyond the opportunities it will afford our residents and business owners, Latitude will offer those interested in moving to Morristown a truly differentiated and upscale housing option in an acclaimed, walkable downtown location that is near to all of the great amenities our town has to offer.”

“In our design of Latitude, we wanted to complement the very distinct, spirited and vibrant lifestyle found in Morristown as well as further enhance the town as a pedestrian-friendly, destination community,” said Rich Murphy, Mill Creek Residential managing director. “To achieve this, we ensured that every experience afforded at Latitude, from apartment living to working out in our fitness studio, is truly one of a kind.”

Murphy added that a lot of green and energy efficient elements are incorporated as well. A total of 26 deed-restricted, affordable rental apartments will be integrated into the community’s first phase.

“There’s so much talk of the need for affordable housing,” said Dougherty. “There’s 26 (affordable housing) units in this first phase, there will be more in the next phases too. There’s more affordable housing this first part of this development that has been built in more than 12 years in Morristown in one site, one phase.”

“This redevelopment project will not only reinvigorate the town, it will contribute to the shaping of a community, and we are excited to be playing an important role in this neighborhood’s next chapter,” said Murphy.

Murphy thanked a number of people, including Bill Dean, who had a key role in the project’s early stages.

“It is gratifying to look behind me and see the product of a couple years of hard work by a number of people,” said Dougherty, thanking New York-based planning firm Jonathan Rose, Redevelopment Agency Attorney John Inglessino, Architect Marchetto/Higgins/Stieve, the council members, Mill Creek and Planning Board Chair Joe Stanley.

“It’s a great start to this neighborhood and to beginning to build upon a vision for this neighborhood,” said Phil Abramson, of Jonathan Rose

Related Patch Articles

• Speedwell Redevelopment Phase I Work Begins
• Groundbreaking Planned for Speedwell Luxury Apts