Princeton Nurseries when it was an ongoing operation in South Brunswick Township.
SOUTH BRUNSWICK, Middlesex County — Princeton Nurseries, a massive undeveloped property of about 162 acres of vegetation and part of what once was the largest commercial nursery in the nation, was targeted for redevelopment in August by South Brunswick Township.
The Township's 36-page redevelopment plan, submitted in April by Topology LLC of Newark, notes the property "has remained undeveloped in recent decades. No physical improvements exist within the area which lies vacant save for its vegetation. This condition is atypical of nearby areas of the U.S. Route 1 corridor, which have experienced revitalization and investment throughout the years."
Princeton Nurseries operated on the land from 1913 to 1995, when it completed an ongoing relocation to Allentown, New Jersey. About 500 of the acres — a total of between 1,200 and 1,500 acres were used at the peak — were purchased by Princeton University, according to the plan.
"The area's most identifiable physical is its vegetation consisting of grass, meadow species, planted trees and shrubs, and wooded areas," the plan notes. "This Redevelopment Plan and the parameters within are envisioned to facilitate the redevelopment of the area in a manner that stimulates economic development while protecting environmentally sensitive areas."
The 162 acre-site of the former Princeton Nurseries slated for redevelopment is outlined in yellow. Route 1 is to the right.
The land is broken down into three separate development districts under the plan:
- The Route 1 Gateway District along the Route 1 corridor. Offices and hotels, life sciences and high-tech laboratories and data centers are possible for this district.
- The Flex/light industrial district accounts for most of the overall Redevelopment Area and allows for the same uses as the Gateway District along with warehousing and distribution centers and flex industrial facilities.
- The Transitional/Office District allows only offices, research and life-science facilities and flex-type uses.
Links to a sample of recent news media coverage:
- South Brunswick Approves Redevelopment Plan for Site of Former Princeton Nurseries (TAPinto South Brunswick | Reporter Jacob Turchi | August 8, 2024)
- South Brunswick Holds Second Reading on Redevelopment of Princeton Nurseries Site (Town Topics | Reporter Anne Levin | August 7, 2024)
- Princeton Nurseries Redevelopment Plan Gets South Brunswick Nod (Patch | Reporter Sarah Salvadore | August 8, 2024)
