Sentinel Acquires West Orange Apartments That Replaced Offices

Sentinel Real Estate has expanded its portfolio across the Hudson River, here in New Jersey. The addition of Stonehill at West Orange marks the only Garden State property in the company’s portfolio, according to the real estate investment management firm’s website.

New York City-based Sentinel announced its latest acquisition Oct. 29. The buyer did not disclose financial or other terms of the deal.

Livingston-based BNE Real Estate Group completed the property in 2024. The transformation of an underutilized office park introduced the pet-friendly, three-building, mid-rise residential property located at 1000 Executive Drive in West Orange. It offers 423 luxury one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Additionally, Stonehill at West Orange features 44,000 square feet of community amenity space.

In 2024, the Township of West Orange introduced the mix of housing, a new public library and dog park, to eliminate an underperforming office park. The work also preserved 130,000 square feet of recently renovated space as tenants continue to move toward updated digs. The Township and BNE partnered to complete the mixed-use project, with the latter building the housing and 1.5-acre dog park.

Units at Stonehill at West Orange include:

• 9-foot to 10-foot ceiling heights
• luxury plank flooring
• stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops and Shaker cabinetry in kitchens
• Solar window shades
• Spacious bathrooms with dual vanities and tiled floors
• Modular closet storage and in-unit washer/dryers

Select units also include built-in work desk areas, wine bars and refrigerators, linen and pantry storage, frameless bathroom shower doors and private balconies/patios. Minno & Wasko Architects and Planner designed Stonehill’s three buildings, with interiors envisioned by Mary Cook Associates.

When it comes to resident amenities, Stonehill at West Orange aims to offer a range, such as:

• Two fully equipped fitness centers
• Movement studio with on-demand training technology
• Social lounges, multiple coffee bars and two co-working areas with private offices
• Two sports simulator lounges
• Children’s playroom and two game lounges
• Movie lounge
• Outdoor lawn and TV screen area, private grilling and outdoor dining areas and firepits
• Two pet spas and a dog run
• Secure package station

The property features 816 parking spaces along with private garage parking with direct access to each floor, EV charging spaces and 24/7 concierge services.

Over more than 55 years of investing in multifamily properties, Sentinel says it has acquired and managed upwards of 158,000 apartment units valued at $17.5 billion.

“This property is well-positioned to benefit from limited local residential supply, coupled with its convenient accessibility to quality necessity retail, restaurants and easy commute to the tri-state offices of leading companies in the health care, education, financial services, pharmaceuticals and technology sectors,” Tietjen added.

Stonehill at West Orange sits between Interstate 280 and Route 10. It features a direct shuttle to the Orange NJ Transit train station, just 3 miles away.

The property is also adjacent to the ShopRite-anchored Essex Green Shopping Center. A Whole Foods Market is also 3 miles away, while a Trader Joe’s is due soon in the neighborhood.

Niche.com grades West Orange an “A.” The municipality received highest marks in Good for Families, Outdoor Activities and Diversity.

Stonehill at West Orange opened to renters in April 2024.

Legal assist

Cole Schotz PC represented Sentinel in its acquisition of Stonehill at West Orange.

According to the Hackensack-based firm, the team secured township approval for the deal due to its Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement. Cole Schotz said it also helped guide the buyer through a complex diligence process that included title review, coordinating with local counsel on lease and affordable housing matters, employment issues related to on-site staff and structuring a reverse 1031 exchange.

The team included members Leo Leyva, Rab Nalavala, Matthew Schneid, Jonathan Goodelman, Chris Caslin, Wendy Berger, Marissa Mastroianni, Jeffrey Schechter, associate Denise Krall, and law clerk Gwendolyn Goodyear.