The Applied Development Co. of Hoboken, which was founded in 1970. is now helmed by second-generation owners David Barry and his brother. Michael Barry.
Michael Barry says the company's core business is developing and managing large-scale, mixed-use properties with residential, retail and hospitality components. As co-president, he is responsible for the oversight of the company's assets, management, financing and general operations.
David Barry's responsibilities cover all aspects of residential real estate development, including planning, acquisition, approval financing, construction, marketing, sales and leasing. "We work together well." Michael Barry said. "We have different responsibilities that may overlap in some areas. But its not just about us. The business of building homes is more complicated today and to succeed, you have to do some building in house. That means putting together a team with different skill sets who can complement one another. This allows us to get the job done in the right way."
The level of trust you have in your builder is extremely important, and our goal has always been to be professional at all times and deliver on our promises," David Barry added. "You can have a lot of family members involved in your business, but if people don't have trust in your abilities, you're not going to go very far."
Notable Applied projects include Pier Village, a Victorian-inspired village featuring more than 500 luxury rental homes, a boutique hotel and 100,000-plus square feet of entertainment and retail stores, along with a beach club, gourmet restaurants and boutique shops on the oceanfront in Long Branch.
Applied also is the developer of The Shipyard, a mixed-use community of 1,160 residences. 65,000 square feet of retail shops, a one-acre part, a ferry stop and a marina on the Hudson Riverfront in Hoboken; and Port Liberte, a 1,650-unit waterfront condominium community facing the Statue of Liberty in Jersey City.
In addition. Applied is the developer of 333 River Street. 526 premium rental residences and retail shops along Hudson River facing Manhattan in Hoboken; Liberty Na tional, a one-of-a-kind championship-caliber golf course on the Jersey City waterfront directly across from the Statue of Liberty: and The W Hoboken Hotel & Residences, a new 25-story hotel with 225 guest rooms and 40 condominium residences on the Hoboken waterfront. The hotel is scheduled to open in a few weeks.
The Kaplan Cos. of Highland Park is another familv company with a rich history. The founder. Nathan Kaplan, was born in Poland in 1913, and Nathans son. Michael, was born when the family was interred in a concentration camp.
After the war, Nathan Kaplan was selected to be a leader in the Jewish community and this led to his serving as one of the liaisons to the American occupying forces stationed near Frankfurt, Germany. That association led Nathan to being involved the restoration war-torn buildings. That was Nathan's intro duction to the construction business, and by 1952. he had brought his fam ily to America and founded his own company.
Today, The Kaplan Cos. is one of the leadingbuilders in the state, and Jason Kaplan, the son of Michael is the company president. Michael Kaplan serves as chairman of the board. Other family members in volved in the business are Michael's brother, Morris, and Jason's sisters Amy and Lisa.
"When you work with us. you're not dealing with a corporate behemoth, yet we're also were big enough to meet the needs of our customers." said Jason Kaplan. "That's a good balance to have, and if any is sues come up. our customers know they can go right to the top and speak with me on the phone."
Kaplan says the construction became second nature to him at an early age.
"It's been ingrained in me from the time I was kid. hanging around and watching what everyone was doing. Then when I got a little older. I really learned the business by working weekends and on Summer school breaks. You can never totally separate the business from your life," he said. "I remember being in Florida on a family vacation. It wasn't unusual for my father to take us on a ride through a new-home development. He was always looking for new ideas and better ways to do things."
Kaplan said the company's focus in recent years has been redevelopment projects, such as Federal Hill at Perth Amboy, a neighborhood of 93 townhomes and 40 luxury mid-rise condominiums.
Another large scale redevelopment project is Gateway at Careret, where the Kaplan Cos. is build ing 378 homes, including townhomes. condominiums and luxury apart ments. The current building phase includes bike paths, nature trails, a playground, a miniature golf course and a gazebo that hosts riverfront concerts. Future plans along the Carteret waterfront include a 252-slip marina, a retail shopping area, 350.000 square feet of commer cial and office space, and a 200-room hotel.
Kaplan also continues to progress with the creation of Towne-Lake in Sayreville. where the builder recently opened a new section of sin gle-family homesites for sale.
"Were big believers in New Jersey, and we plan to keep our roots here because this is where it all started," Kaplan said. "We've been through tough times before and we're still here." Another family affair in building can be found at Larken Associates, where two generations of the Gardner family have made their mark on residential and commercial development throughout the state. Lawrence W. Gardner founded Larken Associates in the early 1970s and remains as the company chair man and chief executive officer. His son. David, joined the business in the early 1980s and serves as the com pany's president and chief operating officer.
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