Urban Practice Joins City of Rahway and Development Partners to Celebrate Esterbrook Senior Residences Groundbreaking
New Community will bring 58 high-quality, affordable senior apartment homes to Union County
Rahway, NJ – April 14, 2026 – Urban Practice, a leading architecture and design firm based in Camden, NJ, today celebrated the start of a new affordable senior housing community in Union County, alongside Rahway Mayor Raymond A. Giacobbe, the Rahway City Council, and project partners.
Esterbrook Senior Residences is a new, four-story building bounded by Esterbrook Avenue, Central Avenue, and Elm Avenue, featuring 58 apartments designed to support comfortable, energy-efficient senior living.
“In designing Esterbrook Senior Residences, it was important that the building complements the surrounding neighborhood while bringing natural light and thoughtful living spaces to residents,” shared Jessica O’Donnell, FAIA Senior Architect for Urban Practice.
A balance of brick and siding creates depth and visual interest for the community, while large windows throughout the building will bring abundant natural light into each home. The building will comply with Energy Star Multifamily New Construction and LEED Multifamily Low-rise criteria. The design emphasizes open-plan layouts throughout each residential unit, with Energy Star certification ensuring efficient appliances, lighting, and plumbing fixtures.
Residents will also benefit from several on-site amenities, including a fitness room with outdoor exercise space, a fully furnished community room for resident activities, and a private social services suite. “These amenities are designed to foster a supportive community network among the residents,” O’Donnell explained. The building will have on-site parking and electric-vehicle charging stations, as well as staffed management and maintenance facilities.
The Esterbrook Senior Residences development is led by the City of Rahway, with Foresight Affordable Housing Inc. as the developer and The Michaels Organization serving as the development consultant.
Construction on the community is expected to be completed in the summer of 2027.
About Urban Practice
Urban Practice is an architecture and design firm based in Camden, NJ, dedicated to shaping equitable, sustainable spaces that uplift underserved communities. The firm partners with mission-driven organizations to transform visions into impactful, inclusive developments.
Tags: Affordable, Groundbreaking, New Jersey