Somerset and Ingerman Kick Off Redevelopment at Former Glass Factory in Aberdeen, NJ

Rendering of the affordable housing section of The Glass Works, Aberdeen Township, NJ

ABERDEEN, NJ— Somerset Development , continuing its successful partnership with Ingerman , has begun redevelopment to transform the former Anchor Glass factory in Aberdeen, NJ, into The Glassworks , a vibrant and accessible mixed-use community with a variety of residential and retail options centered around a pedestrian-oriented “Main Street.” Somerset and Ingerman are starting demolition and preliminary site work on the abandoned 51-acre industrial site, situated on Cliffwood Avenue, near the Garden State Parkway. The former Anchor Glass factory was originally constructed in 1962 and operated until 1996. Somerset Development is acting as master developer for residences at The Glassworks , which includes a mix of 500 for-sale townhomes and rental apartments, including 110 designated affordable units; 75,000 square feet of retail space; a 110-room boutique hotel; a movie theater; and designated open space, including a two-acre public recreation area called Glassworks Park . “After years of planning and intense negotiations, the factory is coming down to make way for a beautiful mixed-used community that will give Aberdeen the ‘Main Street’ our residents have long desired and make this dormant property an economically beneficial asset for our town once again,” says Aberdeen Mayor Fred Tagliarini . “We look forward to working with Somerset and Ingerman to create a community that we will all be proud of.” Central to the vision for the redevelopment is the creation of a “Main Street” on the site, combining residences, retail, dining, and entertainment in a singular, walkable destination in the heart of The Glassworks . This mixed-use core will attract new residents, jobs, and tax ratables to the Township, left behind by Anchor Glass’ departure more than 20 years ago. “ The Glassworks is an opportunity to create something great from what has become a burden and eyesore for the Township of Aberdeen,” says Ralph Zucker , president of Somerset Development . “We’re excited to work with Ingerman , along with the Township and its residents, to usher in the important next phase of this historic site – one that we’re confident will be an economic driver for the region and a valuable resource for Aberdeen residents, both old and new.”

Taking part in the groundbreaking at The Glass Works, Aberdeen Township, NJ, were, (from left): Freeholder Thomas Arnone; HMFA Executive Director Tony Marchetta; State Senator Joseph Kyrillos; Somerset Development President Ralph Zucker; Aberdeen Mayor Fred Tagliarini; Freeholder Serena Dimasso; Somerset Development Vice President Tom Michnewicz; Ingerman Founder and CEO Brad Ingerman; Somerset Development EVP David Schreiber; Somerset Development Vice President Peter Tisdale; and Somerset Development CFO Bill Schroeder

Demolition and preparatory site work will be performed throughout April. The first phase of the redevelopment will also include the development of rental residences and affordable units; The Glassworks’ townhomes and retail will be constructed in subsequent phases. “We are delighted to establish this new venture with Somerset Development ,” says Brad Ingerman , founder and CEO of Ingerman . “As leaders in real estate development, Somerset and Ingerman share an exceptional level of expertise and an unparalleled commitment to better serve the communities in which we work.” Somerset and Ingerman have partnered on other successful master-planned redevelopment initiatives, including Wesmont Station , an award-winning redevelopment project in Wood-Ridge centered around a state-of-the-art commuter rail station, which is slated to open this year. Situated on 70-acres in the heart of Bergen County, Wesmont Station is quickly becoming one of the region’s foremost live-work-play destination neighborhoods, with a diverse mix of nearly 1,200 residences, retail space, commercial buildings, community facilities and open space that combine to create a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly center. The project is poised to serve as a model for effective collaboration among the public and private sectors as the first NJ TRANSIT train station to be developed through a public-private partnership. Minutes from Aberdeen, as previously reported by GlobeSt.com , Somerset is also leading the redevelopment of the historic Bell Labs headquarters, now known as Bell Works , in Holmdel, NJ. Under Somerset’s transformative plan for Bell Works , a pedestrian “street” is being created within the building’s existing quarter-mile long atrium that will connect tenants and visitors to a host of dining, entertainment, and health and wellness services, along with renovated office space and educational facilities, a hotel and conference center. The building currently is currently home to a blossoming technology community, after signing commercial leases with companies including NVIDIA, Spirent Communications, Suttons International, McCann Systems, and vi Collaboration Hub .