With the relatively sudden spurt in residential development in and around Downtown Newark over the last few years, many property owners whose tracts have not been heavily utilized as of late are seeking to bring new uses to their land. Now, Jersey Digs has exclusively learned that the owner of several attached lots near the Prudential Center, Newark Penn Station, and the site of the upcoming Mulberry Commons park is looking to construct what would be one of the tallest towers south of Market Street.

Within the next few years, the tracts at 36-42 Columbia Street along with 90, 92, 94, 102, and 104 Green Street could contain a high-rise mixed-use building. Although the plans are very preliminary and have yet to go before the Newark Central Planning Board, Anthony D’Agosta III of East Rutherford-based Inglese Architecture + Engineering tells Jersey Digs that the development would likely have 20 to 25 stories of residential space atop a six-story base.

”Our developer is recognizing that the increased density is not slowing down and he’s hoping to take advantage of that,” said D’Agosta.

The residential units are expected to consist of studios, one bedrooms, and two bedrooms, all of which would be rentals. Renderings for the proposal, which is currently being referred to as “36 Columbia,” show that there would be balconies, a lobby and community space, a parking area with a “green wall,” and amenity spaces on the sixth floor and rooftop. The bottom two floors would include a mixture of retail and commercial space, according to D’Agosta, with office space on floors three through six.

Inglese has been involved in the design of many recent projects in Newark, including the Hahne & Company redevelopment, Textile Lofts, and 999 Broad.

Currently, the properties, which are located opposite the Richardson Lofts development, largely contain a former warehouse. City tax records indicate that the sites are owned by Beira Realty and Beira Corp., which are registered out of the same Ironbound address as the Seabra Group.