Developers Top Out The Lucy Tower in Jersey City
The 24-story residential project preserves the historic facade of the former St. Lucy’s Roman Catholic Church.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Apartments
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Construction teams have completed vertical structural work on The Lucy, a new 24-story apartment tower located at 619 Grove Street in Jersey City. The development integrates historic elements of the original church site into a modern high-rise housing complex.
Why it matters
The project serves as a test case for balancing urban density demands with the preservation of local landmarks, incorporating the church's original facade and stained-glass windows into the new design.
The 24-story building features 444 total apartment units, consisting of 431 market-rate residences and 13 affordable housing units. The structure occupies the site of the former St. Lucy's Roman Catholic Church.
The players
The Lucy
This is a 24-story residential tower currently under development in Jersey City.
Preservation New Jersey
This is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of the historic and cultural heritage of New Jersey.
St. Lucy's Roman Catholic Church
This historic house of worship was established in 1884 and operated at the 619 Grove Street site until the 1980s.
The details
The development team maintained the historic church facade, entrance doors, and stained-glass windows to honor the site's legacy. Additionally, the project required the relocation of a homeless shelter that previously occupied the property to a new facility across the street.
Timeline
1884: St. Lucy's Roman Catholic Church was established.
1980s: The church building was closed.
2018: Preservation New Jersey listed the site as an endangered historic place.
2023: Jersey City officials approved the current development plan.
2025: Construction crews broke ground on the tower site.
Culture Shift
The Lucy project demonstrates how developers are increasingly responding to historical preservation mandates by blending heritage assets with modern urban density requirements. This approach marks a departure from total demolition toward adaptive reuse of neighborhood landmarks.
Residents can expect the addition of 444 new housing units to the neighborhood once construction concludes in 2028. The development also provides a new long-term home for the local services previously housed on the church grounds.
The takeaway
The Lucy represents a shift toward incorporating architectural history into high-density residential designs. Residents can watch for the final phase of construction as the site prepares for a 2028 opening.
What happens next
The building is currently scheduled for completion in 2028.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest housing trends in our Apartments section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Daily Record.
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