A new 19-unit apartment building has broken ground at the intersection of North Tulane Street and Wiggins Street in Princeton (map). The building, which will be called ‘The Fitzgerald‘ will adjoin the old ‘HiTops’ building, which faces onto Wiggins Street. An all-electric, ultra-sustainable development, The Fitzgerald will offer a new opportunity for people who wish to live in a walkable neighborhood near Princeton University, Princeton Public Library, and all the stores and restaurants of the town.
Planning approval was originally granted for ‘The Fitzgerald’ in December 2021 (Report: First Look: 18-unit Inclusionary Apartment Proposal At Former Princeton HiTops Site on Wiggins Street). Aubrey Haines, CEO of Princeton Property Partners, the developer of the project, said that initial site preparations finally began last month. The frame of the building is expected to start going up in May, with move-ins anticipated in 2027. Construction was held up by a number of factors, including challenges with financing after interest rates surged in 2022. The proposal returned to the Planning Board in 2025 for some minor updates to the plan.
The building takes advantage of the “AHO-1” affordable housing zoning overlay, which allows for increased density as long as existing structures are preserved and 20% of the total units are set aside for below-market-rate rentals. Four new affordable homes will be supplied as part of the new construction. As with the other units in the building, these affordable homes will all have balconies. The building will have a green roof, and charging for electric cars and electric bikes. Residents will also have access to outdoor patio areas and a multipurpose activity room.
The building is named for noted author, F. Scott Fitzgerald, who was a student at Princeton University from 1913 – 1917. Themes of F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda will feature in the lobby and other areas of the building, which is intended to have services and benefits worthy of the “Roaring ’20s”.
Rentals in the new building are not yet available, as final details of interior fittings and rental rates are being finalized. The units will be marketed by Calloway Henderson starting in the fall. The website for the building offers more details. All the photographs on the website show recognizable Princeton landmarks, including the University campus, Morvern, and McCarter Theater, emphasizing the advantages of living mere footsteps away from all the good stuff downtown.
Related links:
walkableprinceton 