42 — August 2026 — Owners, Developers & Managers — M id A tlantic Real Estate Journal
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O wners , D evelopers & M anagers
SITIO celebrates $15M Philadelphia recreation center transformation
With ribbon-cutting ceremony at Park 11 in Belleville, NJ Tulfra and The Hampshire Cos. welcomes Konala restaurant
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ELLEVILLE, NJ — Tulfra Real Estate celebrated the grand
opening of Konala at Park 11 with a ribbon-cutting cer - emony welcoming the inno - vative restaurant concept to Belleville. The opening marks another significant addition to the mixed-use redevelop - ment, a joint venture with The Hampshire Companies , fur - ther expanding the property’s dining offerings for area resi - dents, employees and visitors. The event brought together local officials, project part - ners and representatives from Konala, including Kona - la founder, Trace Miller ; Konala franchisee, Anthony Menicola ; and Belleville Mayor, Frank Velez III , among other dignitaries, to commemorate the occasion. “Our vision for Park 11 has always been to create a destina - tion that brings together qual - ity businesses and meaningful amenities for the Belleville community,” said Sonny Ju- mani , president and CEO of Tulfra Real Estate. “Konala is an outstanding addition to the property, offering a fresh dining experience that complements our growing mix of retailers while enhancing the overall ap - peal of the development.” Founded in 2023 by hus - band-and-wife team Trace and Jammie Miller, Konala was created with a simple mission: to make healthy food as deli - cious and accessible as tradi - tional fast food. Named after the founders’ two rescue dogs, JERSEY CITY, NJ — Al - pine Residential announced the initial occupancy is now underway at AVIVA, the only residential community lo - cated adjacent to Jersey City’s Liberty State Park. Located at 189 Phillip St., AVIVA combines modern apart - ment living with convenient ac - cess to downtown Jersey City and Manhattan. Designed by GRT Architects and Ismael Leyva Architects , the com - munity comprises twin 12-story buildings totaling 500 residenc - es, connected by a one-story lobby base with 4,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. “There’s a strong feeling of excitement and anticipation surrounding AVIVA as we welcome our first residents,”
Johnny Sample (Cobbs Creek) Recreation Center in West Philadelphia
building and pool, a limited-use elevator, an accessible parking space and a pool lift. Site improvements include 70 new trees, 1,700 native plants, site lighting, picnic tables, benches and security cameras. A bronze bas-relief artwork titled “Dancing Children,” cre - ated by Henry Mitchell and originally commissioned in 1968, was restored through the City’s Percent for Art program. Previously located high on the building’s exterior, the artwork has been relocated to the en - trance lobby, where it serves as a focal point. “This project reimagines spaces that were once win - dowless and inward-facing, transforming them into light- filled rooms that open up to Cobbs Creek Park. The new design creates a stronger con - nection between the building and its natural surroundings, offering a more welcoming experience for visitors. At the same time, the building now presents itself more clearly to the neighborhood by reestab - lishing its presence as a com - munity resource and gath - ering place,” said Andrew Ferrarelli , principal, SITIO architecture + urbanism. The renovation was funded through the City’s Rebuild initia - tive, supported by the Philadel - phia Beverage Tax. Additional funding included $900,000 from the Pennsylvania Depart- ment of Community and Economic Development’s Local Share Account program, $200,000 from the Knight Foun - dation and $300,000 in Improve - ments to Existing Facilities funding secured by Gauthier . The project concludes a se - ries of investments totaling more than $30 million along Cobbs Creek Parkway, includ - ing improvements to Cobbs Creek Playground, the Cobbs Creek Environmental Center and the Blanche A. Nixon Library. MAREJ
PHILADELPHIA, PA — SITIO architecture + ur- banism joined Philadelphia officials, community members and project partners to cel - ebrate the ribbon cutting of the newly renovated Johnny Sam - ple (Cobbs Creek) Recreation Center in West Philadelphia. Mayor Cherelle L. Parker , Philadelphia City Council - member Jamie Gauthier and Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton attended the ceremony marking comple - tion of the $15 million project. SITIO began work on the ren - ovation in 2020 for Fairmount Park Conservancy and the City of Philadelphia’s Rebuild initia - tive. The project transformed the original 14,700 s/f building, which had limited windows and little connection to the adjacent Cobbs Creek Park. The new renovation added a two-story expansion featuring a new gymnasium, boxing train - ing room, multipurpose space and significantly more glass and natural light. Landscape im - provements create stronger con - nections between the recreation center, park and Cobbs Creek Park Trail. The project is seeking LEED Silver certification. “When we talk about invest - ing in Philadelphia’s neighbor - hoods to improve the quality of life for our residents, this is what we mean,” Parker said. “A new boxing room, a refinished gym, 70 new trees and 1,700 na - tive plants along the trail—this is a facility West Philadelphia can be proud of.” Building improvements in - clude a new entrance, reception area and lobby; restored public artwork; a new roof and HVAC system; upgraded lighting and furniture; accessible restrooms; a kitchenette; flexible meeting areas; and a refinished basket - ball gym with new windows, backboards and hoops. Accessibility upgrades in - clude new paths connecting the street and parking areas to the
Konala at Park 11 ribbon-cutting
Kona and Nala, the brand has quickly earned a loyal follow - ing with its fresh, gluten-free menu featuring protein bowls, salads and other made-to- order meals prepared through - out the day. The restaurant’s drive-thru-focused model also offers online ordering, curb - side pickup and third-party delivery for added flexibility. “We’re excited to bring Kona - la to Belleville and to have them become a part of the Park 11 community,” said Marcus Lee , asset manager of Tulfra Real Estate. “Konala’s mission has always been to make fresh, fla - vorful food both accessible and convenient, and we’re proud to offer New Jersey residents a healthier fast-food option.” Konala joins an established lineup of retailers at Park 11, including Starbucks, Chipotle, Wawa and Extra Space Stor - age. Together with The Copper Mill’s upcoming 175 luxury apartments, these businesses
have transformed the former Roche Diagnostics campus into a vibrant neighborhood destination that blends shop - ping, dining and residential living in one location. Park 11 is a joint venture between Tulfra Real Estate, serving as Belleville Town - ship’s designated redeveloper, and The Hampshire Compa - nies. Since acquiring the former Roche Diagnostics property in 2015, the partners have rei - magined the site as a thought - fully planned mixed-use devel - opment that delivers new retail opportunities, quality housing and long-term economic ben - efits for the township. Located at the intersection of Franklin Ave. and Mill St., Park 11 sits adjacent to Clara Maass Medical Center and offers convenient access to Rte. 21 and the Garden State Parkway, making it easily accessible for residents and commuters alike. MAREJ
Alpine Residential announces occupancy is now underway at AVIVA in Jersey City, New Jersey
Photo Credit AVIVA
designed to support both active and relaxed lifestyles. Outdoor spaces include a rooftop pool and lounge, grilling stations, land - scaped gardens and a signature water garden atop the lobby that offers sweeping views of New York Harbor. AVIVA offers a +1,200-acre waterfront destination with recreational trails and an out - door performance area. MAREJ
said William Rosato , co- managing partner of Alpine Residential. “With building tours underway, prospective residents can explore first - hand everything the com - munity has to offer—from its well-designed apartments and amenities to its unique location on the edge of Liberty State Park.” Residents will enjoy amenities
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