Somerset Development Rebrands as ‘Inspired’

Pursues New Redevelopment and Bell Works ‘Metroburb’ Opportunities Nationwide

On Jun 29, 2022

Somerset Development, an innovator in large-scale mixed-use redevelopment, today announced its formal rebrand to Inspired by Somerset Development (‘Inspired’).

The shift better encapsulates the company’s growing reputation for creating inspirational development initiatives, including its signature Bell Works projects in New Jersey and Chicagoland. Through the thoughtful adaptive reuse of two large-scale former corporate telecom facilities, the Bell Works initiatives have introduced the concept of the ‘metroburb’: a self-contained metropolis in a spacious, livable suburban locale.

“With the launch of Inspired, we’re harnessing the lessons from our storied history, and building upon them for a new era of innovative and sustainable redevelopment. We will continue to direct our energy on creating places that truly inspire new ways to work, live, or foster togetherness,” said Inspired CEO and Founder Ralph Zucker. “We know that traditional development practices cannot fulfill the evolving needs of our workplaces, living spaces, or community hubs, which is why we’re actively on the hunt for underutilized properties throughout the country that need to be reimagined for the future.”

As municipalities contemplate new ways to create a greater sense of place in their communities, Inspired is building upon its notable successes working closely with property owners, management companies, REITs, funds, construction firms and other real estate investors to personalize a strategic approach for master planned, mixed-use developments. Inspired turns complex real estate challenges into opportunities for growth, uniquely understanding the various nuances to successfully transform underutilized properties. From addressing community concerns and generating support to assembling expert teams, Inspired possesses the experience to help municipalities create destinations for businesses and residents of all walks of life.

Inspired’s expertise and capabilities have expanded over the course of its 27-year history, leading the firm to provide unrivaled development, management, construction, and third-party consulting services. Best known for Bell Works in Holmdel, NJ, where the company transformed a dormant, two-million-square-foot former research facility into a thriving ‘metroburb’ that now serves as a cultural nucleus for the entire region, Inspired is currently in the midst of creating the second iteration of the Bell Works concept in Hoffman Estates, IL. Dubbed Bell Works Chicagoland, the 150-acre former AT&T corporate campus is being reimagined into its own ecosystem of offices, shops, dining, event space, hospitality, community resources, and residential. With its successful blueprint in place, the Inspired team is actively pursuing new metroburb locations across the nation.

At Wesmont Station, another signature development, Inspired partnered with NJTRANSIT to build an entirely new train station in Wood-Ridge, which now serves as the centerpiece of a 70-acre Transit Oriented Development. The former brownfield site adjacent to the train station— previously the home to the Curtiss-Wright airplane manufacturing factory —was redeveloped to create more than 1,500 townhomes and apartments, including more than 150 affordable rental units, as well as retail and commercial uses to support the redevelopment area.

Inspired is also the master developer of Somerville Station — a mixed-use development surrounding Somerville’s train station that will include 14 apartment buildings and 156 townhomes; two parking garages; 4,000 square feet of retail space and a 2,600-square-foot community civic center. Inspired collaborated with NJTRANSIT, AvalonBay Communities, and Pulte Homes on the development.

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