The Royal at Bloomfield Station: Construction Underway on 210-Unit Mixed-Use Development

A major transit-oriented development is taking shape near the Bloomfield train station. The Royal at Bloomfield Station, a 372,000-square-foot mixed-use project from developer CHA Partners, is now under construction at 11-35 Washington Street in the heart of Bloomfield Center. The project brings 210 rental apartments, 14 for-sale townhomes, ground-floor retail, and a public plaza to one of the most walkable parts of town.

If you live in Bloomfield or you're considering buying here, this is one of the biggest development stories in town. Here's what's going in and what it means for the neighborhood.

What's included in the project?

The Royal at Bloomfield Station is a transit-oriented development -- meaning it's designed to take advantage of the property's location within walking distance of the NJ Transit Bloomfield Station on the Montclair-Boonton Line. Here's the full breakdown of what's planned:

210 rental apartments with a mix of studio, one-, and two-bedroom floor plans
14 for-sale townhomes with private entrances and garage parking
7,000 square feet of ground-floor retail and restaurant space along Washington Street
Publicly accessible plaza and pedestrian-oriented streetscape improvements
372,000 total square feet across the residential and commercial components
On-site parking for residents and retail customers

The project spans multiple phases, with the first phase of apartments and townhomes currently under construction. The retail component will be developed as the project progresses.

How does this fit into Bloomfield's redevelopment plans?

The Royal is the anchor project of Bloomfield's broader multi-phase Bloomfield Center Redevelopment Plan. The township has been working for years to transform the area around the train station into a true transit village -- walkable, mixed-use, and designed to attract both residents and visitors.

This is the same redevelopment area where two additional six-story mixed-use buildings were recently proposed, each with around 125 units, further evidence that Bloomfield Center is becoming a focal point for new development in Essex County. The township's designation as a New Jersey Transit Village gives developers confidence that the infrastructure and zoning support this kind of growth.

What this means for homeowners in Bloomfield

Large-scale development projects like this one have ripple effects on the surrounding neighborhood. Here's what I'm watching:

Property values. Transit-oriented developments typically increase surrounding property values over time. The combination of new amenities, improved streetscapes, and a more vibrant downtown makes nearby homes more desirable. That's good news if you already own in Bloomfield Center or the surrounding blocks.
Local businesses. The new retail space and the influx of 210+ households will bring more foot traffic to the downtown area. Existing businesses along Bloomfield Avenue and Washington Street could see a boost, and the new retail spaces could attract restaurants, coffee shops, or services that make the neighborhood even more walkable.
Traffic and parking. Any development of this size raises questions about traffic and parking capacity. The project includes on-site parking, and its location next to the train station means many residents may commute by rail rather than driving. But it's worth keeping an eye on congestion around the station area, particularly during rush hour.
Tax base impact. New market-rate apartments and townhomes add to the township's property tax base without requiring new school seats for every resident -- many of the apartment residents are likely to be renters without school-age children. That can help moderate future tax increases by spreading the tax burden across more properties.

What this means for buyers and renters

If you're considering buying or renting in Bloomfield, the Royal project adds a new option -- particularly if you're looking for a walkable, transit-connected lifestyle. For-sale townhomes near the train station could appeal to move-up buyers or NYC commuters looking for lock-and-leave convenience. The rental apartments give renters a newer, amenitized option in a market where much of the rental stock is in older buildings.

For buyers looking at single-family homes in Bloomfield, the development is a positive signal: it shows developer confidence in the town's long-term trajectory, and the investments in the downtown area make Bloomfield more competitive with pricier neighbors like Montclair and South Orange.

Other development activity in Bloomfield Center

The Royal isn't the only game in town. Bloomfield Center is seeing multiple development applications working their way through the approval process:

Two six-story mixed-use buildings proposed near the center, each with approximately 125 units and ground-floor retail
Development at 91 Beach Street before the Planning Board and Historic Preservation Commission
Redevelopment designation for 13 properties in the Bloomfield Center Redevelopment Plan's Phase II Main Street Campus District

The cumulative effect of all this development could be transformative. If you haven't visited Bloomfield Center recently, it's worth taking a walk around to see how the area is evolving.

The bottom line

The Royal at Bloomfield Station is a significant project that's already changing the face of downtown Bloomfield. With construction underway on 210 apartments, 14 townhomes, retail space, and a public plaza, the development represents a bet on Bloomfield's future as a walkable transit-oriented community. For homeowners, the project likely means rising property values and a more vibrant downtown. For buyers and renters, it adds a new option in a market where inventory has been tight.

I'll keep tracking this project as it progresses and share updates as new phases are announced or completed. If you have questions about how any of this affects a specific property you're considering, I'm just a phone call away.