The Marlton Crossing office complex on Centre Boulevard that is planned for redevelopment into 325 apartments, of which 49 would be affordable or for those with special needs.
Apartments that will be built on the site of the 39-year-old Marlton Crossing Garden Offices, which will be demolished, will take up to three years to complete and will be done in two phases, according to the developer of the Evesham project.
The Evesham Planning Board unanimously approved the project's preliminary and final site plans at its November meeting and memorialized its decision with a resolution last month.
Marlton Crossing Dev AMS LLC will construct 325 market rate and affordable units in a four-story complex totaling 338,470 square feet on the 8.8-acre property, which is behind the Marlton Crossing shopping center and near the intersection of Routes 70 and 73.
The project's size is nearly as large as the number of units in total at the Highlands at Cherry Hill and neighboring Dwell Cherry Hill Apartments on Route 70 in Cherry Hill, west of the Land Rover Cherry Hill dealership. Together, they have 403 units — 233 at Dwell and 170 at Highlands.
Residents testifying at the October and November Planning Board meetings said they worried about the increase in traffic, impact on water pressure and storm water runoff.
The complex will include a 316-space parking garage and 237 spaces on surface lots, according to the developer's plans.
Like many office buildings across South Jersey struggling to find tenants, the vacancy rate at the Garden Offices has continued to grow, according to the developer.Â
"Since 2017, the vacancy rate of the office park has increased and was approximately 25% vacant in 2022," according to the developer's application. Developed in 1987, the property preceded the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and has not been substantially renovated since first constructed, according to the developer.
The property, bounded by Old Marlton Pike, Centre Boulevard and Lippincott Drive, was designated as an area in need of redevelopment by Township Council in 2022.
The site of the Marlton Crossing apartment development is to the west of the Marlton Crossing Shopping Center.
The project will be a combination of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Exterior amenities planned include gardens, walking paths, a tot lot, swimming pool, picnic area and dog run.
Developer Marlton Crossing LLC is owned by Rafi Mitnick and Michael Mitnick of Bergenfield, and Ari Mitnick of Lawrence, New York, the application states.
Land-use lawyer Jeffrey Brennan was retained on behalf of the Marlton Woods Homeowners Association to oppose the project at the board meetings.Â
In board testimony, neighbor Nancy Caldwell of Wimbledon Way called for the property to be converted into a public park because the proposed development was "city-like," according to the board resolution.
Previous coverage of the project by 70and73.com:
- Evesham Planning Board unanimously OKs 325 Marlton Crossing apartments over residents' objections.
- Some Evesham residents troubled by apartment proposal; continued to next Planning Board meeting.
- Project for 325 apartments behind Marlton Crossing Shopping Plaza in Evesham goes to Planning Board.
- Plan that may include 325 apartments approved by Evesham Township Council for Centre Boulevard.
- Evesham redevelopment plan: Up to 325 residential units could replace Centre Boulevard offices.
- Marlton office complex 'functionally obsolete,' needs redevelopment, says Evesham Township report.
The plans for the apartment complex.
A rendering of the apartments.
