Hats Off To You Amazing People
Snakes sunbathing, 'Cliffside Cubes', a new luxury condo opens — and more!
A note from the editor: What an amazingly busy time of year. My eldest (not pictured, and not going to brag about him now, but warning: I might soon) graduated from Weehawken High School this week. Lots to get to below so let’s gooooo!
Upcliff Or Down, Weehawken Farmer’s Market Is A Hit
The Weehawken Farmer’s Market started this spring. It’s every Wednesday at 3P and alternates between Lincoln Harbor (down near Chart House) and Hamilton Avenue (right by Hamilton’s “death rock”). There’s not a ton of “farm” in this farmer’s market — unless we’re talking about a babka farm, a pizza farm, a chicken parm empanada farm —but we love it. Having a place to walk, see neighbors, and buy some delectable items is a joy. The one by Lincoln Harbor seemed to us more popular, but maybe that’s because the Hamilton ave location, tucked south of Hamilton Park, is just harder to see? Anyway, you should all go, and we’ll toast you with fancy lemonade and pickles on a stick.
Real Real-Estate Review: The Declan Is Our Favorite New Building And We’re Not Saying That Just Because We Got Free Food And Drinks (But Sure That Helps Not Gonna Lie)
Earlier this month The Weehawken Gazette was invited to the official opening party for The Declan, pictured, a new building right on the waterfront, located smack dab in front of the Weehawken Waterfront Park. They served appetizers and drinks. We missed the gift bags because we were busy taking a tour. C’est la vie.
Before it was finished, and before we went in, we had reasons to dislike it, even though, yeah, some are just cranky and dumb. Those reasons:
The building takes away privacy at the track. I like to run, and since my running is more like a rhino after a large curry meal, the less spectators the better — for their sake, mainly.
The new parking garage obscures the beauty of the cliff behind it.
We worry that people in all of these buildings can be a bit siloed, and don’t readily engage with the larger community.
However, change happens. And we changed our minds. First of all, do we want to go back to nothing on the waterfront but toxic land and disused docks? Nah. Sure they look cool in classic music videos, but our beautiful waterfront park is there because of the development, not in spite of it. And parking garages are good for parking. And at least unlike in Edgewater, Weehawken isn’t removing everything green from the west side of our river-front road, on Port Imperial Blvd.
So what is this building? From their press release, “The Declan blends refined design with top-of-market amenities. Rising 10 stories with 298 units, a collection of modern studio- to three-bedroom rental apartments is tailored for those who crave sophisticated living in an irreplaceable location…”
Thing is yes, it’s right next to the waterfront park. If you have a unit facing the water, you’ll see people on the track, playing tennis, and if you’re unlucky, me swimming in my flowered swim cap. But it’s a great view, and mostly you’re looking out at the water and the skyline. The things it has that we saw are really sweet:
The roof deck is awesome. Lovely plantings, including veggies, a pool table, grills, fire pits, awesome lounge chairs — and yes, the views are spectacular. Picture below but it’s even nicer than the picture makes out. And the parking garage has trees and planting on and around it too.
The gym is large and the other amenities are thick. Some include: pool with “waterwall”, golf simulator lounge, coffee bar, library, children’s playroom, direct garage access, and dog spa. You can see all amenities here.
Units that face the road don’t have traffic noise, and besides the road, you look at greenery. Plus your access to everything in the park is amazing. If you live here, you can train your heart out indoors and out.
They feature a “pet of the month” in the elevator. It’s adorable. Our only complaint? Apparently you can’t become pet of the month unless you live there. Yes we asked. Yes it’s a dumb question. But you know, maybe we can lobby them to open it up to the community. Why? Because it’d be hilarious, that’s why.
Brass tacks: Prices start at $2931 and go up to $8500 for the spendiest 3-bedroom. There’s also a penthouse yet to be leased that’s got sky-high luxury and a price that we said we wouldn’t print. So… all my NFL players who want to join your other Weehawken friends, ask them about it and say the Gazette sent you. PS The Declan is also advertising specials like 1.5 months free rent, so ask about that too.
What’s Your Take On ‘Cliffside Cubes’?
Speaking of real estate, we recently heard a great story on the radio about the NoHu / Bergen County trend of knocking down old houses to build bigger-footprint modernist multi-family buildings.
Hearing the story you’d know exactly what they are talking about, but the pictures are also worth a thousand words… older houses with charm and greenery (little lawns, trees) are being replaced with boxy buildings, often with roof decks, double stairways, and a lot more pavement.
Read (and/or listen) to the story on Gothamist by David Brand — they delve into the economics behind it, and the article also has some more great before-and-after pictures of houses that became cubes: gothamist.com/news/cliffside-cube-a-new-style-duplex-is-rising-in-northern-nj-and-its-everywhere
So what do you think? Are the boxy homes good for addressing a housing shortage or super ugly and wish they’d stop? And do you have a better idea? Feel free to leave a comment below.
Fun fact and good news for film buffs: according to Google maps the cute Cliffside Park homes that star in the Tom Hanks movie Big haven’t been knocked down — yet.
Luca Brasi’s Deli Can Be Yours
This cozy Hoboken staple sits two blocks west of some of our favorite things: Little City Books, Guitar Bar, Mulligan’s and Choc-o-pain to name just a few. Price is $550K and that comes with everything, from the furniture to the equipment to the salami. Actually we’re not sure if the food is included, but apparently the staff is. The listing says the owner is “highly motivated” because they want to “retire and relocate.” You still need to pay the rent, but the biz says it’s profitable and they note that they don’t even do catering, delivery or late nights. So, whaddya say? They might be making an offer you can’t refuse.
Go ahead, mutz my day: www.bizbuysell.com/business-opportunity/profitable-turnkey-deli-and-hot-bar-in-prime-hoboken-location/2370236/
Skyline 🐍🐍 Strike A Pose
Got to love local cold-blooded bros having a hot-rock spa day:
If you go to the post you can also participate in the poll to tell us what type of snakes you think they are. Thanks to Arnaldo Wilson for letting us share hissssssss video. Arnaldo is an artist and you can and should follow him on social: instagram.com/arnaldowilson_/
In Brief
Union City is celebrating their centennial and has summer solstice plans that include family yoga, senior yoga, Zumba, meditation and more on June 21st from 10:30A to 3:15P in Ellsworth Park. More details here.
Union City also seems to have some summer block parties in July and August. Anyone ever been to them? Let us know. More details here.
June 27 & 28 Goatchella is back and billed as goats, sheep, art and music in a cemetery in Jersey City. It’s not clear if tickets are still available. Here’s the listing. Thanks to
for the clue about this excellent event.Art Haus Hudson is a new “music and visual arts hub” on Park Avenue in Weehawken. We don’t know anything beyond what you see on the site, but they have a lot of kid, teen and adult offerings this summer so check it out: https://arthaushudson.com
Wednesday 6/25 at 6-8P Weehawken is offering FREE rabies vaccinations for (licensed) dogs and cats. There’s a rain date and all info here.
Sunday June 29 at 7P there’s a vigil for immigrants and refugees at Pier A Park in Hoboken. Expect songs from a choir, readings and more.
Who Let A Cat In Here?
This year’s Weehawken Schools time-hop video is another winner to pull all the heart strings and make you tear up. And, to make the title of this newsletter make sense, we’ll end on this photo. Congratulations to all the 2025 graduates!
Until We Meet Again
This newsletter is free to read and subscribe to, but we’re all for freebies and/or money too, which we will always disclose. This edition of the Weehawken Gazette was sponsored by Edith Layton.
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Susie Felber
Weehawken Gazette
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Weehawken, NJ 07086
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Tah for now nice nabes!
Susie
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Thx, Susie!