Peek inside Ellipse, Jersey City's 'elevated' waterfront rentals

The building’s model apartments show off its New York City views

By Zoe Rosenberg@zoe_rosenberg Jun 7, 2017, 4:09pm EDT

If there’s one thing that makes Ellipse stand out among Jersey City’s increasing stock of rentals, it’s the building itself. Named after its oblong shape, the building was designed by Arquitectonica’s New York-based office to maximize the potential of the 381 apartments’ floorplans, and their views onto the Hudson River and Manhattan skyline. It’s an idea that Arquitectonica’s NYC office director Sam Luckino says “changed the quality of the units.”

Quality, he says, is what prolific NYC developer LeFrak was after with Ellipse. “LeFrak wanted to do something unique and offer something that was elevated above the other kinds of products they’ve offered.”

While some properties in Jersey City are using major amenities to lure tenants, others crutch on their location. Luckino says Ellipse, on a pier that partially juts over the water, “does a little bit of both.” Outdoor amenities at Ellipse include a a pool, recreation areas, and a deck that can be accessed without walking through the building. That accessible addition is meant to create a broader sense of community for the neighborhood.

The two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment 1105.

The apartments were laid out by Arquitectonica, with finishes chosen by HLW. The architecture firm returned to stage the 41-story building’s model apartments, whose first pictures appear here.

Leasing started in late April on the building’s studios through three-bedrooms. In the building’s yet-to-be-leased stock, studios start at $2,675, one-bedrooms from $3,230, two-bedrooms from $4980, and three-bedrooms from $6,260. “Penthouse” apartments, it was previously reported, will start at $5,721 for a three-bedroom and $8,211 for a four-bedroom.

In comparison, the average rent on all apartments in all of Jersey City stands at just under $2,900 per month as of February 2017, according to Rent Jungle. Some apartments come with private terraces. Move-ins are expected this summer.