If you’ve spent any time looking for an apartment in Jersey City lately, you’ve probably stumbled across 9 Regent Street. It’s one of those buildings that looks like a classic brick rowhouse from the outside but functions like a modern luxury hub on the inside. Most people just call it "The Sutton." Honestly, it’s a bit of a chameleon.
Depending on who you ask, it’s either the crown jewel of the Liberty Harbor district or just another cog in the massive redevelopment machine that has transformed the downtown waterfront over the last decade. Jersey City isn't the "Sixth Borough" anymore. It’s its own beast. And 9 Regent Street sits right in the belly of that beast.
But here’s the thing.
Finding a place to live here isn't just about granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. Everyone has those. It’s about the specific, weirdly niche reality of living in a neighborhood that was literally built from the ground up on former industrial land.
What Actually Is 9 Regent Street Jersey City?
To understand the building, you have to understand Liberty Harbor. This isn't your typical sprawling apartment complex with a single lobby and a thousand identical units. 9 Regent Street is part of a "New Urbanism" design philosophy. The architects, including firms like Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company, wanted it to feel like a real neighborhood. They used varied facades and smaller building footprints to mimic the historic feel of nearby Paulus Hook or Van Vorst Park.
It worked. Sorta.
The building itself houses luxury rentals that range from compact studios to massive three-bedroom setups. You’ve got the high ceilings. You’ve got the oversized windows. You’ve got the hardwood floors that catch the afternoon light just right. But the real draw—the thing that keeps the occupancy rates high despite the eye-watering North Jersey price tags—is the sheer proximity to the Grove Street PATH station and the New York Waterway ferry.
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The Commuter's Trap (And Why People Love It)
Let’s be real. Most people moving to 9 Regent Street Jersey City are doing it because they work in Manhattan or Exchange Place. You can walk to the PATH in under ten minutes. That is a massive deal when it’s 7:00 AM in February and the wind is whipping off the Hudson River like a frozen blade.
But don't assume it's just a dormitory for Wall Street.
The neighborhood has developed a weirdly specific culture. Because the building allows pets (and even has a dedicated dog run), the sidewalk outside 9 Regent is basically a perpetual meet-and-greet for Goldendoodles and French Bulldogs. It’s a community, albeit a transient one. You’ll see the same people at Zeppelin Hall Beer Garden or grabbing a coffee at Surge Coffee every single weekend.
The Amenities: Hype vs. Reality
Buildings in Jersey City love to brag about their amenities. It’s an arms race. At 9 Regent Street, you’re looking at:
- A rooftop pool that actually gets sun (a rarity when skyscrapers are popping up everywhere).
- Fitness centers that actually have weights heavy enough to use.
- A screening room that most people forget exists until they want to watch the Super Bowl.
- 24-hour concierge service that handles your endless stream of Amazon packages.
Is it worth the premium? That’s subjective. If you use the gym three times a week and spend your summers poolside, the "amenity fee" feels like a bargain compared to an Equinox membership. If you’re a homebody who just wants a quiet place to sleep, you’re paying for a lot of square footage you’ll never actually step foot in.
The Neighborhood Context: Liberty Harbor vs. Downtown
There is a distinct vibe shift when you cross from the historic blocks of Downtown Jersey City into the Liberty Harbor area where 9 Regent is located. The streets are wider. The buildings are newer. Everything feels a bit more "planned."
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Some people find it sterile. Others find it a relief.
You aren't dealing with the crumbling infrastructure or the "charming" (read: leaking) pipes of a 100-year-old brownstone. You have central AC. You have thick windows that block out the sound of the light rail. Speaking of which, the Jersey City Light Rail runs right nearby. It’s a blessing if you’re headed to Hoboken or Newport, but a minor annoyance if you hate the sound of the bell at the crossing.
What No One Tells You About the Market Here
Renting at 9 Regent Street Jersey City isn't like renting in a suburb. The market is aggressive. According to local real estate data from firms like Zillow and Apartments.com, units in this zip code (07302) often move in less than two weeks.
You also have to watch out for the "concession" game.
Landlords here love to offer "one month free" on a 13-month lease. It looks great on a flyer. But remember, when you go to renew next year, your increase will be based on the gross rent, not the "net effective" rent you were actually paying. It’s a classic Jersey City move. Always ask the leasing office what the base rent is before you sign anything.
The Logistics of Living at 9 Regent Street
Living here means navigating a very specific set of logistics. Parking? It’s a nightmare unless you pay for a spot in the garage. Street parking in Liberty Harbor is heavily regulated, and the "Zone 1" permits are a hot commodity.
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Grocery shopping is another quirk. You’re caught between the Whole Foods downtown (which is always a madhouse) and the Saker ShopRite on Marin Boulevard. Most residents end up doing a mix of FreshDirect and quick trips to the local bodegas.
Then there’s the dining scene. You are a stone’s throw from Taqueria Downtown—which, despite the crowds, remains the best taco spot in the city—and Razza, which The New York Times famously claimed has better pizza than anything in New York. Whether you agree with that or not, having it within walking distance is a legitimate lifestyle perk.
Why This Specific Address Still Matters
In a city full of glass towers, 9 Regent Street maintains a sense of scale. It doesn't feel like a dormitory for a tech company. The brickwork and the architectural details give it a bit of soul.
It represents the "Middle Ground" of Jersey City. It’s not the ultra-expensive waterfront high-rises of Gold Coast, and it’s not the more affordable, grit-and-glory neighborhoods further inland. It is the quintessential professional landing spot.
Actionable Advice for Prospective Residents
If you are seriously considering a move to 9 Regent Street Jersey City, do not just take the virtual tour. You need to do the "vibe check" in person.
- Visit at Night: Walk the route from the PATH station to the front door at 9:00 PM. See how well-lit it is. Listen to the noise levels from the nearby bars.
- Check the Exposure: If your unit faces the light rail, make sure you can live with the "ding-ding" every fifteen minutes. If it faces North, you might not get much natural light during the winter.
- Audit the Fees: Ask specifically about the amenity fee, the pet rent, and the trash fee. These can easily add $150 to $300 to your monthly budget.
- Talk to a Resident: Don't be shy. If you see someone walking a dog outside, ask them how the management handles maintenance requests. That’s the real test of a luxury building.
The reality is that 9 Regent Street is a solid choice for anyone who needs to be near the city but wants a neighborhood that feels like a neighborhood. It isn't perfect, and it isn't cheap. But in the current Jersey City real estate climate, it offers a level of consistency that’s hard to find elsewhere.
If you're ready to move forward, your next step should be contacting the Liberty Harbor Leasing Office directly rather than going through a third-party broker. This often saves you time and ensures you're getting the most up-to-date availability on floor plans like the "Sutton" or the "Nantucket" models. Verify the current move-in incentives and be prepared with your credit report and employment verification in hand. In this market, the unit you see at noon is often gone by 5:00 PM.