City leaders have decided on a resolution to a bitter dispute over an abandoned apartment complex in Princeton.
The Princeton Luxury Apartments have been in development for seven years, but the unfinished buildings have been abandoned since 2023, sparking protests in the local community.
A plan to build more than 300 luxury apartments in downtown Princeton is literally crumbling.
The project, which would have involved constructing 12 buildings, was scrapped in 2023 after failing city inspections, but residents told NBC 5 they were concerned the buildings had become targets for vandals and were becoming unsightly.
“The unfinished luxury apartment buildings along Highway 380 have become a symbol of failure and broken promises,” Madeline Awalt said.
Engineers reported to the city this week on the condition of the buildings, finding that three buildings need to be completely demolished and eight require extensive repairs, including addressing mold contamination.
“There’s no way in the world you could afford an apartment like that,” Maxine Ellis said. “People are going to suffer from respiratory infections and asthma.”
Contractors who worked on the project told city leaders that the site owner has still not paid the builders $6.8 million for completed work after construction was halted.
“We came to a settlement between everyone, but because of funding issues, nobody got paid,” Bryce Derian said.
The property owners came forward saying they were working to resolve financial issues.
“We owe the community an apology,” said attorney Himesh Gandhi. “This project was never intended to end up like the horrible photos you saw today.”
The owners have agreed to new plans to provide security and video surveillance at the property and complete the long-awaited apartments.
Under the agreement, the three buildings will be demolished by Sept. 15, with the entire complex scheduled to be completed by February 2026, about 10 years after the project began.
“I understand some improvements need to be made, but it still seems a little excessive to me,” said Marlo Obera, Princeton City Council president for Place 2. “I’m not in the construction industry, but I think two years is a little too long.”
Ultimately, city leaders approved the plans and appointed an outside engineering firm to keep construction on schedule.
“The bottom line is that these buildings can be restored,” says Tony Childress of Childress Engineering Services, “although it will take time and money.”
Some residents have asked the city to rezone the land to prevent any more apartments from being built.
In response, Princeton University leaders said their lawyers determined this would not have been possible without a bitter legal battle with the landowners.
