Jersey City Urby
In May 2017, the Dutch architecture studio Concrete completed a new high-rise apartment tower in New York City.
Jersey City Urby is a 69-storey skyscraper in Jersey City, across the Hudson River from Lower Manhattan. It reaches a height of 217 m (713 ft), making it the tallest residential building in New Jersey.
The design is characterised by irregularly stacked blocks, with floor plates cantilevering out over the storeys below.
The building contains 762 rental units, ranging from studios to one- and two-bedroom apartments. The design of the apartments is intended to ‘make smart use of space’, with built-in wall units serving as desks, shelving and storage space.
The building also contains a range of amenity spaces ‘designed to foster natural opportunities for residents to meet and interact’, including a residency program for scientists and artists, and a Creative Lab on the 68th floor.
On the ninth floor, the building offers a fitness centre and a light-filled communal kitchen and dining area. This level also houses a heated saltwater pool and outdoor deck, which can be used for parties, movie screenings and morning meditations.
According to Concrete; "Urby is a rethink of the residential rental-housing concept that is design-driven, tailored to fit every neighbourhood, and developed with the needs of the contemporary urban renter in mind".
The first Urby project opened in 2016 on New York's Staten Island, and a third is scheduled to open in the summer of 2017 in Harrison, New Jersey.
Images and content courtesy of Concrete.
Photography © Ewout Huibers.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
A brief history from 1890s to 2020s.
CIOB and CORBON combine forces
To elevate professional standards in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Heat pumps, vehicle chargers and heating appliances must be sold with smart functionality.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.
New-style degrees set for reformed ARB accreditation
Following the ARB Tomorrow's Architects competency outcomes for Architects.
BSRIA Occupant Wellbeing survey BOW
Occupant satisfaction and wellbeing tool inc. physical environment, indoor facilities, functionality and accessibility.