A hotel is scheduled to open in Holmdel.
The construction of a hotel on the roof of the Bell Works complex was approved by a unanimous vote by the Holmdel Planning Board during a recent regular meeting.
The planning board’s approval gave the permission for Somerset Development to build a single-story hotel that will house 200 units at the site that is located at 101 Crawsfords Corner Road in Holmdel.
The hotel will be a new addition to a diverse mix of office, retail, childcare, health and wellness uses at the rapidly transforming campus, according to a statement from Somerset Development.
“We believe the hotel will be a great addition to Bell Works,” said Michael Nikolis, who is a township committeeman and member of the township’s planning board.
“This decision marks the latest development in our work to turn this formerly vacant, single-tenant campus into a thriving, self-contained metropolis in suburbia. As we continue to add new retail options and other components that all members of the public can enjoy, a hotel will add a new level of appeal for the many large office tenants on site that welcome out-of-town visitors to their business or to conferences,” said Ralph Zucker, the president and CEO of Somerset Development. “We are pleased that Holmdel officials and the wider community have aligned in our vision, and look forward to welcoming additional businesses as we continue to transform Bell Works into an unrivaled commercial destination.”
Somerset Development plans to build the hotel on the perimeter of Bell Works’ rooftop, preserving the iconic 60,000 square foot photovoltaic skylight that provides light to the dynamic business campus and ‘pedestrian street’ below, according to a statement from Somerset Development.
The company’s request also includes the installation of associated site improvements that include handicap parking stalls and ADA-compliant handicap accessible ramps for the existing building, according to the planning board agenda.
Somerset Development is now in the reviewing process of responses to request for proposal (RFP) to determine what hotel chain and hospitality operator will assume the operation.
According to Somerset Development, there is no construction starting date for the hotel at this time.
According to Somerset Development, the competition among hotel operators who wish to come to Bell Works is testament to the overall success of the project and the ultimate selection will be driven by which hotel operator can provide the best overall experience to Bell Works and the community.
Nikolis said that there is a formula that engineers, builders and architects use for parking spaces at hotels and that the board wanted be certain that there was enough parking space to accommodate the two million square foot building.
The complex has had a busy year.
Bell Works recently opened doors to the new Holmdel Township Library and Learning Center, which will feature a new educational programs and services as well as an updated technological infrastructure and a museum that is on site to preserve the history of the building.
Bell Works also unveiled its new rooftop deck and lounge, which, according to the statement from Somerset Development allows tenants and visitors to enjoy a lunch or coffee break overlooking Bell Works’ pristine, scenic grounds.
“As Bell Works continue to expand its wide range of uses and amenities, we are seeing tremendous interest from tenants in the technology sector and the rest of the business world, leasing over 800,000 square feet of office space over the last 18 months,” said Jeff Garibaldi, president of the Garibaldi Group, which serves as the exclusive broker that represents Bell Works. “Though some great space remains available, we expect that the project’s incredible momentum will allow us to be fully leased by the end of 2018.”
For more information visit www.sdnj.com/about/ or www.holmdeltownship-nj.com/agendacenter.
Contact Vashti Harris at vharris@newspapermediagroup.com.
