Two New Mixed-Use Apartment Buildings Move Forward in Bloomfield Center
Two new six-story mixed-use apartment buildings are moving forward near Bloomfield Center, each offering approximately 125 rental units with ground-floor retail space. The proposals – which align with the township's 2025 Master Plan goals for transit-oriented development – represent a significant step in Bloomfield's downtown revitalization and signal growing interest in the area from developers and investors.
If you live in Bloomfield or you're thinking about buying here, these projects are worth understanding. New development changes the character of a neighborhood, affects traffic and parking, and can influence property values in both the short and long term.
What's being proposed?
The two projects are separate but similar in scale and concept. Each proposal calls for:
- Six stories with a mix of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments
- Approximately 125 residential units per building
- Ground-floor retail and commercial space facing the street
- On-site parking to serve residents and retail customers
The projects are located near the Bloomfield Center transit hub, putting them within walking distance of NJ Transit train and bus service to Newark and New York City. That proximity to transit is a key selling point – and it's exactly the kind of development the township's 2025 Master Plan encourages along the Bloomfield Avenue corridor.
How do these fit into Bloomfield's bigger plans?
Bloomfield's 2025 Master Plan, adopted in April 2025, laid out a vision for the township that prioritizes sustainable growth, walkable neighborhoods, and revitalized commercial corridors. The plan specifically identifies the Bloomfield Avenue corridor and the Bloomfield Center area as key targets for mixed-use, transit-oriented development.
These two proposals align directly with that vision. The six-story height is consistent with the density the Master Plan envisions for the downtown core – and the mix of residential and retail uses supports the goal of creating a more vibrant, pedestrian-friendly downtown.
Other pieces of the downtown puzzle are also moving forward:
- The Bloomfield Center Vision Plan is reimagining the historic "Six Points" intersection (Bloomfield Avenue, Broad Street, Glenwood Avenue, and Washington Street) as a pedestrian hub with mid-block alleys and bicycle lanes.
- The Bloomfield Parking Authority is working on a downtown-wide parking plan, including new structured public parking.
- The former Westinghouse site has been identified as having potential for several hundred additional units of new housing and significant commercial space.
What does this mean for current homeowners?
If you already own a home in Bloomfield, new development in the downtown area is generally a positive signal. Here's why:
- Increased foot traffic and retail. More residents in the downtown area means more customers for local businesses, which can help fill vacant storefronts and improve the overall retail environment.
- Property value appreciation. Walkable downtowns with good transit access are among the most desirable locations in North Jersey. New residential development that improves the downtown experience tends to support property values in surrounding neighborhoods.
- Improved services. More density can support better transit service, more restaurant and retail options, and a more vibrant community overall.
That said, there are also real concerns that neighbors should be aware of:
- Construction disruption. Building two six-story structures creates noise, dust, and traffic during construction.
- Parking pressure. While both projects include on-site parking, additional cars in the downtown area will still affect the overall parking dynamic.
- Neighborhood character. Six-story buildings are a significant change in scale for parts of Bloomfield. While the Master Plan anticipates this density in the downtown core, it's a real shift from the current character.
What does this mean for buyers?
If you're house hunting in Bloomfield, these projects are a net positive signal. New development in the downtown area suggests that developers see long-term value in the community – and that's usually a good sign for home values.
Bloomfield already offers one of the best value propositions in Essex County: good transit access to NYC, a walkable downtown, a diverse housing stock, and more affordable prices than neighboring Montclair or Glen Ridge. New retail and residential development only strengthens that proposition.
For buyers considering a home within walking distance of Bloomfield Center, these projects add to the neighborhood's convenience and future potential. For buyers who prefer a quieter, less dense setting, neighborhoods farther from the downtown core will remain largely unchanged.
The bottom line
Two new mixed-use apartment buildings moving forward near Bloomfield Center is a meaningful development for the community. The projects are consistent with the township's Master Plan, they signal developer confidence in Bloomfield's future, and they have the potential to strengthen the downtown's retail environment and walkability.
For current homeowners and prospective buyers alike, the key is understanding how new development fits into your particular neighborhood and your personal priorities. If you have questions about a specific property or area in Bloomfield, I'm always happy to talk through it.
I'll be following these projects as they move through the planning process and keeping you updated on any changes.
Sources
This story is based on reporting by Patch, the Bloomfield Township Master Plan, and NJ Future (Bloomfield Vision Plan) (2025–2026).
Last verified: July 28, 2026. Both projects remain in the planning and approval phase with no final decisions announced.
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I cover local real estate and development news across Bloomfield, West Orange, Montclair, and Essex County. If you hear about new construction, zoning changes, or neighborhood issues, I'd love to hear about it.