Interview with HHG Development
I took a walk down Centre St. with HHG's Michael Goldstein this morning to take a first look at the rather extensive range of projects in Trenton Ferry.
HHG is a partnership between David Henderson, John Hatch and Michael Goldstein, all of Trenton.
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Link to Trenton Ferry web site Links to HHG Projects on Trenton Lofts: 47-49 Centre St. |
Writing about the principals of HHG Development hardly requires an interview. I've known all of them for many years and we're all neighbors in Mill Hill. In fact, one of the first buildings I looked at in Trenton was owned Hatch and Henderson.
As a matter of full disclosure, Michelle and I socialize with David, John and Michael. Michelle is working on a benefit for Passage Theater, at which Michael's wife June is the Artistic Director, and John is the President of the board. The principals of HHG are understandably involved in Trenton's arts and culture scene and stand alone among Trenton developers in this regard. They live in Trenton and invest in Trenton.
Hatch and Henderson have been working together on Trenton renovations for many years under several companies, most notably Atlantis Properties (along with Mike and Debbie Raab) which renovated over 15 houses in the historic Mill Hill neighborhood. Their last project as Atlantis Properties was the Labor Lyceum, a six unit loft development on Mercer St. in Mill Hill.
Michael links the beginnings of HHG to when he invested with David Henderson in the renovation of 209 Mercer St. which was next to Goldstein's new home at 211 Mercer.
Both Hatch and Henderson are architects. Hatch is also a partner at Clarke, Caton and Hintz which does big deal projects like schools, Waterfront Park in Trenton and the Roebling Market in Trenton. David did the hands on construction management for many of Atlantis' projects and continues that role at HHG. Michael is a Harvard MBA (so we have that in common), was a consultant at McKinsey & Co. and has been a bit of a serial entrepreneur over the last several years. He's now responsible for the business end of HHG including marketing.
HHG's work statement is ...
"We specialize in historically sensitive, design-forward projects with a primary focus on residential condos and mixed-used projects. Most projects are historic restorations, sometimes complemented by new, in-fill construction."
The statement paints an accurate picture of where John, David and Michael's heads are really at. John and David have been at the forefront of historic preservation in Trenton forever. In fact, John serves on the Landmarks Commission.
All this is to say, HHG has more of themselves invested in Trenton than any other developer working in the city.
Since forming HHG a year ago, the partners have been working to acquire, finance and construct 47-49, 102, 104, 105-107, 109 and 242 Centre St. The 47-109 Centre buildings were owned by the city and were sold to the development team along with several other properties which were sold to Bill Carlucci who is working in coordination with HHG to renovate the 100 and 200 blocks of Centre St. They're marketing all of these properties under the name Trenton Ferry Historic District.
The first phase of this large project is Everett's Corner condominiums which includes three of the four corners at Ferry and Centre Streets. Michael's tour today (Jan. 21) included the layouts and current progress at Everett's Corner.
47-49 Centre has been many things over the years including a pair of storefronts. HHG is turning this building into two live/work spaces and is restoring the storefront windows to the buildings. Both units will have a big ground floor room that will either be a great living room / party space or gallery / studio space for an artist.
102 Centre was an A&P in the beginning of its history (before A&Ps became supermarkets). The building is being turned into 3 units. Two are two story units with big living spaces on the ground floor and the third floor is a small penthouse. Both of the larger units can be used for live/work and will have great windows and doors with exposures at street level. It looks as though HHG will be able to save much of the original architectural detail including the plaster, plaster medallions and molding. The rear unit has use of a garden area in the back.
105-107 is another formerly mixed use building that will have plenty of interesting nooks and crannies. There are two one bedroom condos and one two bedroom unit. One of the units will have access to the garden area in back. One of the units is carved into the building so that it reaches halfway down a block of Ferry St.
104 and 109 Centre are being renovated as single family homes. Both are three stories row houses from the 19th century (read large rooms with high ceilings).
The Everett's Corner condos have parking in a surface lot next to 47-49 Centre that belongs to the condo association. I might add that parking is hardly ever a problem in this part of the neighborhood.
All of these properties are currently being marketed. Michael tells me that though they can't yet take contracts on the condos, they will shortly and they're ready to start working with potential owners. Also, prices haven't been set yet as some of the contracting isn't complete. I wouldn't let that stop you though, this is exactly the time when you'd want to get involved in the design of any special wants. There's enough variety in size and layout (744 SF - 1800 SF ) to accommodate any loft dweller.
Michael tells me he's going to organize a walking tour of Trenton Ferry in the next little while so listen for that, I'll make sure to pass the date along.