Jersey City is home to over 292,449 residents, making it the second most populous city in the state of New Jersey. The high population in the area ensues a demand for living spaces and influences developers to build residential spaces like multifamily buildings to cater to those who plan to move to this city.

In this list are some of the best multifamily architects that have years of experience and a portfolio of successful projects. These firms have also received awards and were featured in various publications for their impressive residential and multifamily buildings.

Handel Architects LLP

120 Broadway, 6th Fl. New York, NY 10271

Since Handel Architects was established in 1994, the firm has helped improve cities through architecture and design. For Handel Architects, the goal is to build projects for positive urban and social change. The firm’s well-known project is The National September 11 Memorial, but it also works on mixed-use developments, corporate headquarters, and multifamily projects. 

The firm’s founder and managing partner, Gary Handel, a fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA), has been in the industry since 1994. His designs were commended by the AIA, the Urban Land Institute (ULI), and the Society of American Registered Architects (SARA). Handel is a leading architect focused on sustainable building strategies. 

Handel Architects received the ULI Americas Award of Excellence in 2022 and the ULI New York Awards of Excellence in Development in the same year. More than that, the firm was included in publications such as ARCHITECT Magazine and Interior Design Magazine, both in 2022. 

Besides The National September 11 Memorial Museum, the firm is known for its multifamily project, Journal Squared. The 2.3 million-square-foot development includes 36,000-square-foot space of retail area and a new public plaza. The project is designed to adapt to the existing urban neighborhood, with its 53 stories, white metal panels, and punched windows. The 8th floor features amenities like a gym, kids room, library, WiFi lounge, and yoga room, among others. On the 53rd floor, residents can visit the Sky Lounge which offers a communal dining table, seating areas, and projector screen. The seating area has a panoramic view of Manhattan and Jersey City. The phase one tower was completed in 2017, along with its 538 residential units. The tallest of the three towers, phase two, was finished in 2021 with 704 units. The final tower, phase three, is currently under construction. 

Minno & Wasko Architects and Planners

2 Gateway Center, 283-299 Market St. Suite #1700, Newark, NJ 07102

Minno & Wasko Architects and Planners has offered efficient design, quality materials, and energy conservation for 27 years.

The founder and president of the firm, David Minno, AIA, has extensive experience in community design, senior housing, and residential spaces. Minno is a registered architect in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and three other states. He’s a member of the National Association of Home Builders, an associate member of the Community Builders Association, and a member of the American Planning Association. Minno was a graduate of Kent State University with a bachelor’s degree in Architecture. He also finished a master’s degree in architecture from the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in business administration from the Wharton School. 

Minno & Wasko Architects and Planners received the Best Redevelopment Project from the SAM Awards for its work on Modera Lofts. For the same project, it was given the National Award: Best in American Living Gold Award from the National Association of Home Builders. Its work has also been featured in publications such as ELLE Magazine, and Architect Magazine.

One of the firm’s well-known multifamily projects is 18 Park, a redevelopment of The Liberty Harbor North that was originally built in 1973. The project is an 11-story building consisting of a 3-story base for retail spaces and a c-shaped 8-story residential area. The multifamily development includes 422 residential units ranging from studio units to two-bedroom apartments. Within the building is an upper courtyard with amenities, such as an outdoor pool, children’s play area, and a community garden.

MVMK Architecture + Design

360 14th St. Hoboken, NJ, 07030

Minervini Vandermark Melia Kelly (MVMK) Architecture + Design was established in 2000 and has since worked on residential, mixed-use, and commercial renovation projects. The firm offers its services to clients in New York, New Jersey, and the Tri-state area. 

Frank J. Minervini, AIA, is one of the firm’s principal architects. He started Minervini-Vandermark Architecture with Anthony Vandermark in 2000. Minervini has led the firm to a wider variety of projects in the past 22 years, especially through a comprehensive understanding of different construction technologies. Minervini’s co-founder, Anthony Vandermark, AIA, was a graduate of the New Jersey Institute of Technology and has experience in large scale public projects in New Jersey. Partners Adrian Melia and Ciaran Kelly joined Frank and Anthony in 2014 to form MVMK.

MVMK Architecture + Design has received numerous awards throughout the years, including the AIA-NJ Merit Award for Design in 2014 for its work on a multifamily project at 930 Jefferson Street. 

One of its most recognized multifamily projects is the 7-story mixed-use building at 1414 Grand Street in the Hoboken neighborhood. The street level has about 5,000 square feet of retail space, while the second floor is a commercial area. The building is one of the new mid-rise developments in the neighborhood for the revitalization of more intelligent and modern architecture. This can be seen through the black and white pattern brick effect on the building’s exterior. The exterior is also illuminated by vertical LED strip lights at night that seamlessly integrate into the building facade which marks the staggered pattern. 

Studio ST Architects

330 West 38th St. #1209 New York, NY 10018

Studio ST Architects is a full-service architectural firm that focuses on residential, multifamily, and institutional projects since 2003. Since the firm is based in New York City, it is also highly experienced in renovations, from community centers to high-end apartments. 

The firm’s principal and founder, Esther Sperber, previously worked in other architectural firms for several years. Sperber has experience in both architecture and psychoanalysis and often writes and lectures for both industries. Sperber’s work has been featured in publications like The New York Times and Huffington Post. She studied architecture in known universities such as the Israel Institute of Technology and Columbia University. 

Studio ST Architects previously won the AN Best of Design Award in 2019 from The Architect’s Newspaper. The firm was also featured in publications like Architecture of Israel Magazine in 2022 and Architect Magazine in 2020. 

Jones Street Apartments is a residential multifamily project by Studio ST Architects, located at 36 Jones Street. The 22,000-square-foot development offers commercial spaces, 8 three-bedroom apartments, and 2 one-bedroom apartments. The building was constructed with the focus of creating a community for families and young professionals. Some of the building amenities include a party room, gym, roof garden, bike room, and storage units. 

Netta Architects

1084 Route 22 West Mountainside, NJ 07092

Netta Architects has built a reputation as a leading architectural firm through a portfolio of awards and high-profile projects across the United States. The firm focuses on creating close client relationships and offering progressive design solutions to enhance the everyday human experience. Netta Architects prioritizes the client’s vision and takes it into consideration to develop shared creativity for a successful project. 

Netta Architects was founded by Nicholas Netta in 1995 and has since led to the firm’s expansion into a multisite and multidisciplinary company. Netta graduated from the New Jersey Institute of Technology School of Architecture and currently serves on the Dean’s Executive Council in the institution. Netta is also a member of the AIA and holds a National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) certificate. 

Netta Architects has been included in publications such as NJ’s Top Architecture & Interior Firms, Jersey Digs, and AIA New Jersey Women in Architecture Showcase, all in 2022. 

One of the firm’s notable multifamily projects is the New Horizons Boulevard West, in Newark. The 4-story building offers 89 affordable residential units, as well as 5,000 square feet of retail and commercial space. The project was completed in May 2019 and has helped with the continuous development of the Belmont neighborhood, especially in terms of the pedestrian experience. The building facade successfully created an urban space for a city streetscape through planting, benches, and decorative paving. 

Devino Architect & Associates

430 Communipaw Ave. 3rd Flr. Jersey City, NJ 07304

Since 1996, Devino Architects & Associates has designed and constructed more than 1,100 residential units and thousands of square feet of retail and commercial space. The architectural firm provides progressive solutions and exceptional quality of service. 

The firm’s founder and principal architect, Dennis Devino, has 27 years of construction and architectural experience, especially with high-rise and multifamily projects. Devino received his bachelor’s degree in architecture from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. He’s a licensed architect in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Devino is a member of the AIA, New Jersey Society of Architects, and Architects League of Northern New Jersey. 

The Cast Iron Lofts is one of the known projects by Devino Architects & Associates. The 20-story residential building includes a raised loading dock on the ground floo,  specifically designed to resemble the Tribeca warehouses. The development has 155 residential units and 174 parking spaces. It also includes amenities such as a fitness center and community rooms. 

Jeff Jordan Architects

72 Park Ave. 3rd Flr. Rutherford, NJ 07070

Jeff Jordan Architects LLC is a full-service architectural firm focused on design excellence and effective project execution. The firm is experienced in interior remodels and new building construction. 

Jeff Jordan founded the firm in 2004. He graduated with Honors after completing his bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the University of Michigan. After graduating, Jordan worked for several well-known architectural firms, and after that, he received his master’s degree in Architecture from the University of California at Berkeley. 

Jeff Jordan Architects has received awards throughout the years, mostly for single-family residential projects. In 2019, the firm won First Place for Co-Generational Housing Design at the HOME Competition. It was also featured in The New York Times and Design NJ  for its remodeling projects. 

The Columbus Maxwell Townhouses is a project by Jeff Jordan Architects that was completed in 2022. The development includes four townhouses and four apartment buildings in downtown Jersey City. The units offer floor-to-ceiling windows, open living spaces, parking, and roof decks.