Located at 36 Journal Square Plaza in Jersey City, New Jersey, The Journal is a two-tower residential and retail development that contributes to the ongoing transformation of the Journal Square neighborhood. The project is centered around newly designed public plazas that improve circulation, connectivity, and the overall pedestrian experience.
Designed by Woods Bagot, with interiors by 1159 and developed by Kushner, the project represents an investment of nearly $1 billion. It includes two 64-story towers totaling approximately 2 million square feet, with 1,723 rental units and 40,000 square feet of retail space. The site is bounded by Sip Avenue and John F. Kennedy Boulevard and is directly adjacent to the Journal Square PATH station, providing strong transit access.
The towers rise from a 10-story podium and feature unitized aluminum and glass curtain wall systems manufactured by Al-Abbar in Dubai and installed by Alubuild, contributing to a high-performance, contemporary façade. GMS provided building envelope consulting services for the project, working closely with Woods Bagot and Kushner during the design phase to support the façade development. A performance mock-up (PMU) was conducted to verify the system’s ability to withstand the high wind loads at the site. During construction, GMS coordinated with Al-Abbar and Alubuild and performed façade inspections from both the interior and exterior, including access via the in-house building maintenance unit (BMU).
The project incorporates a stepped tower design to better relate to the surrounding context, while the podium maintains a pedestrian scale at street level. During construction, GMS performed weekly façade inspections from both the interior and exterior, including access via the in-house BMU, as well as roofing inspections, working closely with Alubuild and giving special attention to the intricate interior-to-exterior transitions.
The development also prioritizes resident experience and quality of life. With over 1,700 residential units, parking is discreetly concealed within the podium, maintaining an active and pedestrian-friendly streetscape. Amenities are centered around wellness and community, including co-working spaces, lounges, fitness centers, and recreational features such as a climbing wall, swimming pools, and landscaped outdoor terraces. Together, these elements foster a vibrant, connected living environment.
GMS is proud of our team’s work on The Journal, which marks a significant addition to Jersey City and contributes to the growth and development of the Journal Square district. As a transformative addition to Jersey City, The Journal not only reshapes the skyline but also strengthens the social and economic fabric of the Journal Square district, setting a new standard for mixed-use urban development.