Nasser Freres Wins Approval for 55-Story Whole Foods Tower in Jersey City

• Nasser Freres secures approval for 55-story mixed-use tower
• Project will deliver 840 residential units, including 84 affordable
• Whole Foods Market to anchor 48,687 square feet of retail space

What the approval means for Journal Square

Jersey City has approved a major mixed-use development that will bring a 55-story tower to the growing Journal Square neighborhood. The project, led by Nasser Freres, continues the area’s rapid transformation into a high-density residential and retail hub. The site, currently occupied by a low-rise retail building, will be replaced with a 588-foot tower that adds significant scale to the neighborhood. For investors, this approval signals continued confidence in Jersey City as a top alternative to Manhattan.

What the development will include

The project will deliver 840 residential units, with a mix of studios, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom apartments. A portion of the units will be set aside as affordable housing, helping the project meet local requirements. The building will also feature strong amenity offerings, including indoor and outdoor spaces on multiple levels, as well as rooftop access. Notably, the development will not include car parking, instead focusing on bike storage and transit-oriented living. This reflects a growing trend toward car-free urban development in dense markets.

Why Whole Foods is a major anchor

A key highlight of the project is the inclusion of a Whole Foods Market on the ground floor. The store will span nearly 50,000 square feet and feature double-height ceilings. For landlords, securing a grocery anchor like Whole Foods is a major win. Grocery tenants drive consistent daily traffic and support surrounding retail and residential value. This addition strengthens the project’s position as a full-service mixed-use asset.

What this means for Jersey City real estate

Journal Square has been one of the fastest-growing areas in Jersey City, with new residential towers reshaping the skyline. Projects like this continue to push the neighborhood toward higher density and stronger retail offerings. The use of redevelopment incentives and zoning bonuses shows how developers are maximizing site potential in competitive markets. For investors, this highlights the importance of targeting areas with strong population growth and improving infrastructure.

What to watch next

While the project has been approved, a construction timeline has not yet been announced. Next steps will include final planning and securing financing before groundbreaking. If delivered as planned, this tower will become one of the largest mixed-use developments in the area, further solidifying Journal Square’s growth trajectory. This project shows how combining residential density with essential retail like grocery can create long-term value in urban markets, especially in high-growth areas like Jersey City.