The city of Newark gave Prudential the green light tonight to construct a $444-million, 20-story office tower on Broad Street.

The planning board voted unanimously to approve construction of the office complex across from Military Park, along with the redevelopment of a neighboring block.

“We’re thrilled,” said Richard Hummers, Prudential vice president of financial management. “It’s a great project.”

Prudential will create a two-block campus bordered by New and Cedar streets to the north and south and Broad and Halsey streets to the east and west. The block between Cedar and West Park streets would be transformed into a small parking lot and open space with some retail.

At some point in the future, however, Prudential plans to build a second, larger complex there. Those plans were also approved by the board.

Construction is expected to begin in the fall.

The company plans to move workers from the Gateway Complex into the new skyscraper when its lease expires in 2014. Gateway landlords have filed objections, saying the move will have a “devastating financial impact.”

At tonight’s meeting, Thomas Carroll 3d, an attorney for the Gateway landlords, asked the board for a delay. Claiming that Prudential’s applications and hearings have “proceeded very quickly,” he asked for a contingency. “We want to understand it better,” he told the board.

Asked after the vote if the landlords would appeal, he said, “We’ll see.”

Tom De Poto: 973-392-4270; tdepoto@starledger.com