Westminster Management team upgrades Morristown building

Real Estate Weekly, Dec 25, 2002

Westminster Management, a property management arm of the Kushner Companies, recently celebrated the grand re-opening of its 48-unit apartment building at 181 South St. in Morristown, N.J. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Kushner Companies purchased The Ambassador, a five-story mid-rise, in the spring of 2001 and launched a $200,000 renovation that was completed this summer.

Morristown Mayor John J. DeLaney joined Kushner' chief operating officer Stewart Epstein in cutting a gold ribbon across the newly renovated entryway. "Three years ago, I vowed to address the rundown condition of this property, which was a blemish on our lovely historic district," he said. "Thankfully, Kushner Companies has done a magnificent job of restoring the building's original elegance and adding new polish to a community landmark."

Constructed in 1920, the building is situated within the heart of Morristown's historic district on the corner of South and James Streets, within a mile of Interstate 287 and down the street from a train station. Footes Pond and Ford Avenue municipal parks are within walking distance, as are many of downtown Morristown's restaurants, cultural attractions, and retail shopping. All of The Ambassador's one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments are currently leased.

As part of an extensive capital improvement effort, Kushner Companies re-paved the front driveway and repainted the lobby entryway and other common interior spaces, including the hallways and elevator. In addition, Kushner installed new lighting; buffed the marble floors and walls; added a new intercom system; and replaced the entry doors with heavy steel adorned with diamond-cut, beveled glass.

Barbara Huarte, who moved to The Ambassador in 1990 from Manhattan, recalled that the building initially reminded her of a haunted mansion.

"There was an unattractive mossy growth on the front facade and dark, cinderblock hallways," she said. "Now, it's wonderful - a little slice of Manhattan."