Downtown Homes Of Jersey City

Just what can you expect when you are looking to buy real estate within Jersey City, New Jersey? In another article on this site, we took a look at how the theme of historical, and dense, urban development has impacted the Jersey City real estate picture. Now, let's get a snapshot of the downtown real estate market in Jersey City. It's a far cry from the Trinity Bellwoods real estate further north, but many buyers find homes in the area quite to their liking nonetheless.

Not long ago, the entire downtown core of Jersey City was somewhat derelict, to put the description mildly. The location of the city and the downtown on the Hudson, right across from Manhattan, made it an ideal place for industry to locate their factories and major shipping lines. It is a common enough theme within cities with a long history, although maybe not as familiar to someone coming from a piece of Bowmanville real estate.

As with many cities with this type of history, the downtown core of Jersey City began to see a decline with the advent of suburbia in the 1950s. People no longer wished to live close to where they worked, seeking instead the planned neighborhoods and larger plots to be found just outside the city limits. With residents moving out, less care was given to the appearance of the downtown itself.

Redevelopment of the decrepit downtown in Jersey City began about twenty years ago, with Exchange Place. Defunct factories and terminals were torn down, and in their place towering, modern skyscrapers were constructed, adding a sense of modern beauty to a previously maligned neighborhood. The residential redevelopment followed, as Exchange Place was transformed from shady ghost town to bustling financial district.

The residential redevelopment also took an ultra modern form, once again embodied by the skyscraper. Brand new condominium developments began to go up, complete with energy saving, pollution reducing innovations such as a wall mounted boiler and solar glass paneling. The neighborhood of Newport is particularly worthy of note, as a well planned multi-use neighborhood within the downtown core.

The redevelopment of the waterfront parts of Jersey City's downtown is bordered by several areas still awaiting gentrification and construction. Old warehouses and factories still line the streets of these neighborhoods, as well as a few abandoned houses. However, hope springs eternal as these neighborhoods and complexes are similar in appearance to those which now house some of the most upscale Corktown lofts Toronto, to the north.

For those who prefer a downtown feel without the high rise complex, as illustrated by many Port Credit homes, there are parts of downtown Jersey City which might suit. Beyond the bordering factories and former industrial areas lie the brownstone neighborhoods of Hamilton Park and Harsimus Cove. These districts are protected for their historical value, and boast some of the most unique architecture to be found in the entire state.