Architect invests in Witherspoon units
By Victoria Hurley-Schubert, Staff Writer
Eight buildings on Witherspoon Street in Princeton Borough changed ownership last month in a deal worth almost $3.9 million.
J. Robert Hillier, principal of J. Robert Hillier, an architecture firm on Witherspoon Street, purchased eight buildings on three blocks between 114 Witherspoon St. and 188 Witherspoon St. from William Robertshaw.
The properties, mostly residential, are between Green and Lytle streets and includes the building that houses the La Mexicana Grocery.
”I am seeing a change in Princeton, which is part of the overall increase in density in the center of town. I see Witherspoon Street developing as a more viable part of the community, just like Nassau Street and Palmer Square,” said Mr. Hillier in an e-mail interview.
”It is already viable in proximity to the arts council and the library,” he wrote. “However, between the arts council and the hospital site is a disheartened, and in some ways, embarrassing part of Witherspoon Street that does not properly represent the John Witherspoon community that is viable, healthy and stable, with great history and great aspiration.”
Mr. Hillier’s firm will design and develop the buildings’ properties as a mix of residential, retail and offices. He intends to make these properties as sustainable or “green” as possible.
”At this time, the properties are simply an investment, while we work with community to determine what they can become. My plan is to work with the community in thinking through how to bring a whole new façade, and sense of place, to this stretch of Witherspoon Street,” he said. “What I would hope to see in the center of Princeton is greater density, which will bring greater economic and social vitality to the downtown.”
”You are already seeing that happening with the new 54-unit apartment house on Spring Street, the 100 new units going up at Palmer Square, and the 280 units that will appear at the Princeton hospital site,” he added. “That’s a total of 434 new residences all within an 8-minute walk of Nassau Hall.”