Bloomfield's Downtown Is Growing: What the New Apartments, Shops, and Streetscape Mean for Buyers

If you've driven through Bloomfield Center lately, you've probably noticed the cranes, the construction fencing, and the new buildings going up near the train station. Bloomfield's downtown is in the middle of a major transformation, and it's one of the most exciting developments for anyone considering buying a home here.

New apartment buildings, expanded retail space, a freshly built municipal parking garage, and a comprehensive streetscape overhaul are reshaping the heart of Bloomfield. And if you're an NYC buyer trying to decide between Essex County towns, or a current resident wondering what this means for your home's value, here's an honest look at what's happening and why it matters.

What's happening in Bloomfield Center

The centerpiece of Bloomfield's revitalization is the Bloomfield Center Master Redevelopment Plan, a multi-phase project led by CHA Partners that's been unfolding over the past few years. The goal is straightforward: turn Bloomfield's downtown into a vibrant, walkable hub where people want to live, shop, eat, and spend time, rather than just pass through.

The most visible change is The Royal at Bloomfield Station, a transit-oriented development that's already completed. It includes 210 market-rate apartments, 14 townhome units, and about 7,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space, all steps from the NJ Transit Bloomfield station. If you've driven past the train station area recently, you've seen it. It's the newer, larger building that wasn't there two years ago.

But that's not the only project on the board. The Bloomfield Town Council has advanced two additional six-story mixed-use proposals for Broad Street and Washington Street that would add roughly 125 more rental units, parking, and about 6,000 square feet of retail. There's also activity at 936 Broad Street (the former Temple Ner Tamid site) and at 666-668 Bloomfield Avenue, where final site plans have been moving through the approval process.

Infrastructure and streetscape improvements

New buildings are only part of the story. Bloomfield has also invested heavily in the infrastructure around downtown. The new Royal Municipal Garage, which opened in May 2025, added short-term parking to support Bloomfield Center businesses, something downtown shoppers and diners have been asking for. A major 2025 Roadway Improvement Program resurfaced over 9.5 miles of roads, upgraded drainage, and added stormwater remediation.

More recently, Bloomfield adopted a Complete Streets policy and joined the Main Street New Jersey Program, both aimed at making downtown more pedestrian and bicycle-friendly. The township's 2025 Master Plan won a prestigious Achievement in Planning award from the New Jersey chapter of the American Planning Association. It prioritizes revitalized commercial districts, enhanced streetscapes, welcoming gateways, sustainable development, and open space preservation.

These aren't just nice-to-have improvements. They're the kinds of changes that make a town feel different. Walkable downtowns with good infrastructure are exactly what NYC transplants are looking for, and the towns that invest in them are the ones that see the strongest home value appreciation.

What this means for home buyers

If you're considering buying a home in Bloomfield, this redevelopment is good news for several reasons.

First, transit-oriented development increases property values. Homes within a half-mile of the Bloomfield train station have already seen above-average appreciation as the new apartments and retail have come online. The new rental units attract more residents who want to live within walking distance of the train, and that demand pushes up values for single-family homes and condos in the downtown area too.

Second, more retail and dining means a better quality of life. The Bloomfield Center Restaurant Week, which runs September 15-21 this year with prix fixe menus at more than 15 restaurants, is one sign of a downtown that's coming into its own. More rooftops mean more customers, and more customers mean more restaurants, coffee shops, and services arriving. I wrote about Bloomfield's growing dining scene in our Restaurant Week guide if you want the full food tour.

Third, the rental market is tightening. With 210 new apartments at The Royal drawing tenants, the overall rental supply is growing, which takes some pressure off the single-family rental market. That said, the new apartments are market-rate, and they're filling fast, which tells you demand is strong.

What redevelopment means for sellers

If you already own a home in Bloomfield, especially near the downtown or train station corridor, the redevelopment is a net positive for your property value. Towns that invest in their downtowns consistently see stronger price appreciation than towns that don't. The combination of new infrastructure, more amenities, and a walkable downtown makes Bloomfield more competitive with nearby towns like Montclair and West Orange.

For sellers, the key is positioning your home to take advantage of the momentum. Buyers who are drawn to Bloomfield's new downtown energy are often looking for homes that are updated, move-in ready, and within walking distance of the train or downtown amenities. I covered what sells best in our guide on staging and improvements that deliver ROI in Bloomfield and West Orange.

How Bloomfield compares to Montclair and West Orange

One of the most common questions I get from NYC buyers is how Bloomfield compares to its more expensive neighbors. The short answer: Bloomfield offers more affordability with a downtown that's catching up fast.

Montclair has a well-established walkable downtown, six train stations, and a magnet school system, but homes there start around $900K and climb quickly. West Orange offers great parks, the Eagle Rock Reservation, and a free commuter jitney, but its downtown is more spread out and less walkable than Bloomfield Center is becoming.

Bloomfield sits in the middle, more affordable than both (turnkey 3-bedroom homes start around $625K), with a train station that gets you to Penn Station in 35 minutes, and a downtown that's actively becoming the kind of place where you can walk to dinner, coffee, or the train without getting in a car.

If you're trying to decide between towns, I wrote a full Bloomfield vs. West Orange comparison and a guide to the best Bloomfield neighborhoods for NYC transplants that go deeper into the neighborhoods.

The bottom line

Bloomfield's downtown redevelopment is one of the most significant positive changes happening in Essex County right now. It's a sign that the town is investing in itself, and that investment is paying off in the form of new residents, new businesses, and rising property values. For buyers looking for a town with strong growth potential, good transit access, and a downtown that's on the rise, Bloomfield deserves a serious look.

I'd love to show you around and talk through what the redevelopment means for your specific budget and priorities. Every situation is different, and I want you to feel informed and comfortable before you make a decision.