Jersey City’s Journal Square gets MAJOR boost!

The East Coast construction sector continues to show strong momentum, and one of the most significant announcements this month is the progression of Homestead Gateway, a major mixed-income development planned for Journal Square in Jersey City, New Jersey. With more than $200 million in structured financing now secured, early construction is set to begin shortly, marking another major step forward for the region’s rapidly expanding multifamily and mixed-use market.

What is Homestead Gateway?

Located at 701 Newark Avenue, Homestead Gateway is planned as a 34-story residential tower delivering:

• 360 residential units

• 90 affordable housing apartments

• Ground-level retail space

• Public pedestrian plaza

• Modern amenities including fitness facilities, rooftop space, bicycle storage and co-working areas

The development converts a former municipal parking lot into a high-density residential community steps from the Journal Square PATH station, reinforcing Jersey City’s position as a leading hub for transit-oriented living.

Financing for the project was arranged by JLL Capital Markets, supported by Goldman Sachs Alternatives, Freddie Mac, and a combination of public incentives and tax credit programmes. This financial structure enables construction to move forward on schedule.

Impact on construction hiring

Large-scale developments like Homestead Gateway highlight a growing need for senior construction professionals capable of managing complex, high-density urban projects. Across New Jersey, New York and the wider US East Coast, the demand for experienced talent continues to rise in areas such as:

• Multifamily construction

• Mixed-use and high-rise development

• Affordable housing delivery

• Transit-oriented urban projects

These projects require senior leadership with experience in scheduling, logistics, union labour coordination, permitting and technical construction delivery.

As firms compete for talent with the right skill sets, the biggest hiring challenge remains finding qualified senior candidates who can step into high-responsibility roles immediately.

Why construction firms are turning to specialist recruiters

Traditional job postings rarely reach top-tier construction professionals, particularly those currently employed by major general contractors. To secure talent with specialist experience in large multifamily and mixed-income developments, many East Coast builders and developers are relying on targeted recruitment support.

At We Search People, we specialise in sourcing senior construction leaders across New Jersey, New York and the entire Eastern seaboard. Our recruitment approach focuses on:

• Identifying passive candidates with proven large-scale project experience

• Mapping the regional talent market for senior construction professionals

• Delivering fast, high-quality shortlists

• Serving contractors, developers and owners seeking project-critical hires

For complex urban projects like Homestead Gateway, securing the right senior talent early can have a direct impact on delivery timelines, cost control and overall project success.

Preparing for the 2025–2026 construction cycle

The Homestead Gateway announcement is part of a wider trend of strong activity across the East Coast. As more multifamily and mixed-use developments move into pre-construction phases, competition for experienced leaders will intensify.

Construction firms preparing for upcoming builds are encouraged to begin workforce planning now to avoid delays once projects break ground.

We partner with construction companies, developers and general contractors across the East Coast to secure project managers, superintendents, project executives and technical specialists for major developments. If your organisation is planning large-scale work in 2025 and beyond, we can support your recruitment strategy and streamline your hiring process - get in touch.