Construction crews have already cleared the site and are starting foundation work on a new Downtown Swedesboro development which will bring 73 apartments and new street-front retail to the walkable Kings Highway Commercial District.
Located on Kings Highway at Ashton Ave, the exciting project consists of two multi-story buildings; one apartment building (Ashton) located behind the Red Hen/BLK SHP restaurant block, and the second building (King) being developed in the empty lot to the left of those restaurants.
With this building positioned up closer to Kings Highway, the new retail stores will extend the classic “Main Street Shopping” experience of the area.
Once completed, the entire extended block will feature a variety of dining and retail options including Spicy Affair, Botto’s Italian Line, Red Hen, BLK SHP… and of course the six new retail stores!
Which is likely to make the new one and two-bedroom apartments very popular for renters, who will literally have a two minute walk out their building’s front door to access a variety of dining options.
And even more options are across the street with Mama Francesca Pizza, Swedesboro Sweet Shop and Great Wall China!
To facilitate the development of this project a large commercial warehouse/manufacturing building located along Ashton Ave was demolished.
Honestly, that old building was looking a bit “rough” for many years and just seeing it gone has made an improvement! And when the new apartment building with its beautiful design, landscaping and other features is completed… it’s really going to bring a positive change to the neighborhood.
It appears that a redevelopment effort of this type has been in the radar for Swedesboro elected officials going back over 15 years.
Found online at their town website is a 2012 “Request For Proposals” for the redevelopment of this space, as well as a PDF marketing flyer highlighting the properties, and offering suggestions for a preferred redevelopment effort.
Nyckel Apartments – Park Grove Realty
The new apartment development will be called Nyckel apartments and feature 73 modern one and two-bedroom apartments with the 6,500 square feet of commercial and retail space on the first floor.
The project will include a rooftop lounge area for resident exclusive access, as well as a state-of-the-art exercise area and yoga studio.
Additionally the two building complex will offer a pet spa and Co-working rooms.
Ground floor covered parking is also as part of the project.
Named the “Nyckel”… it likely derives from the ship Kalmar Nyckel which in the early 1600s brought approximately 600 Swedish and Finnish colonists to the area of deep southern New Jersey and Delaware. Researching this story I’ve learned that in 1997 a recreation of the ship was created and is docked at the Wilmington waterfront… I will be visiting soon!
So I don’t know if it was intentional or not but it feels like there’s a commonality to the ship and this new modern apartment complex, with both bringing in new “settlers” to the Swedesboro community
Links and Location
Nyckel Apartments – Under Development
Kings Highway and Ashton Ave
Swedesboro New Jersey
Kalmar Nyckel Replica Ship: Website