BUSINESS BRIEFS

MONTCLAIR, NJ, June 13, 2007 — About half the 101 units at The Siena at Montclair condominium project have been sold, the developer, Pinnacle Downtown, has announced. But construction work is still being finished on the inside of the building, and buyers are expected to start moving in by autumn.

Prices for the remaining units, which are from 771 to 2,800 square feet in size, range from $389,000 to $1.3 million.

The residential/retail building is rising on the site of the old Hahne’s department store, at the corner of Church and South Park streets in the Montclair Center Business Improvement District. The original building was empty for over 10 years, and it was eventually included in a three–phase redevelopment plan adopted by the municipal government.

The new building, which has been under construction for slightly less than two years, is to house nine businesses.

Pinnacle spokesman Derek Brown stated, "Woodhouse [Day] Spa, a dry cleaner and New York Sports Club are firm, and [the developers] are anticipating Cosí and Starbucks shortly."

This past Sunday, June 10, Pinnacle held an open house at The Siena, and the public artwork that is to adorn the structure’s front entrance was unveiled. Artist Cadence Giersbach was selected from five finalists to design and fashion two ceramic panels for display outside the entrance at the building’s northeast corner.

"All of the submissions were excellent, but her Tuscan theme captured the essence of The Siena building," the lobby of which is inspired by old Tuscan architecture, Brown stated. It will be composed of natural stone and wood, and will feature a water wall.

Giersbach has had solo art shows in New York City and California.