13 major development projects that could change N.J.'s skyline

The state has recently seen an uptick in new residential construction, especially along the northeastern coast. 

Developers told NJ Advance Media that the increase is largely due to the improved economy and the desire of younger generations to be closer to New York City and mass transit.

This is evident in Jersey City's Journal Square, which is seeing renewed interest among developers. Journal Squared is a planned three-tower project that will bring 1,840 units to the area. The city could also soon be home to the tallest building in the state -- a 950 foot-tower planned for 99 Hudson Street.

Here are 13 major projects that have been announced or are already underway:  

1. The Modern: The first tower -- 47 stories -- started leasing in October. The second will be built later this year. SJP Properties is the developer of the $500 million Fort Lee-based project.

2. Journal Squared: KRE Group broke ground in October on the first of three towers planned for property between Magnolia, Pavonia and Summit Avenues in Jersey City. The tallest tower of the $666 million project is expected to reach 70-stories. 

3. One Journal Square: Kushner Companies and KABR Group announced in January that it had purchased the vacant One Journal Square in Jersey City. No additional details of the project have yet been released.  

4. URL Harborside: Mack-Cali Realty Corporation and Ironstate broke ground on this 69-story residential tower on the Jersey City waterfront in January 2014. The $291 million project is expected to be completed by mid-2016.

5. Trump Bay Street: This 50-story residential tower is the second phase of a project that started with Trump Plaza. Kushner Companies and KABR Group broke ground on the project in May. The project is estimated to cost $215 million. 

6. 30 Journal Square: Kushner Companies and KABR Group plans a 40-story residential tower for the former Jersey Journal headquarters. Projections on the project's costs are not yet available. 

7. Hoboken rail yards: A baseline 2.2 million square foot mixed-use project is planned for the NJ Transit rail yards. The city recently approved a redevelopment plan for the project. The plan calls for office buildings reaching a maximum of 22 stories tall-- 24 if LEED certification is met. Residential buildings would be up to 13 stories tall under the proposed plans.

8. 900 Monroe: Bijou Properties broke ground on this $83 million project in April. The 11-story apartment building is located in Hoboken and is slated to open later this year.

9. Park and Garden: This $131 million project broke ground in May 2013. The 12-story development by Bijou Properties is located on Park Avenue in Hoboken.

10. 99 Hudson Street: China Overseas America is expected to begin construction on a 950 foot-tower at 99 Hudson Street in Jersey City this spring. The building would be the tallest in the state.

11. HAP Tower: Located at 500 Summit Avenue in Jersey City, this $400 million tower could rise as high as 42 stories tall. 

12. 3 Journal Square: Hartz Mountain and Joseph Panepinto plan to build a $73 million apartment building at 3 Journal Square in Jersey City. 

13. M2: Developers Mack-Cali, Roseland and Garden State Development Inc. broke ground on this $200 million project in Decembers 2013. The 38-story residential building on Washington Street is expected to be ready in 2016.

Source: NJ.com