LIFETOWN – From Warehouse to Youth Haven

On Jul 2, 2019

LifeTown’s first-of-its-kind recreational, therapeutic and educational facility in the region will help more than 35,000 special needs young people and families this year. The facility is an adaptive reuse of a 46,000-square-foot warehouse, which has been expanded and transformed into a state-of-the-art “community” where children with special needs are taught and assisted by 18 full-time and 30 part-time staffers.

The heart of the $14-million LifeTown project, built by 145 construction workers, is Life Village, an 11,000-square-foot town center with shops, traffic lights and other elements of a downtown that help teach children the skills to navigate, work and be engaged in a real-life setting. Many of the spaces, including a ShopRite, a Regal Bank branch and a RWJBarnabas Health doctor’s office, are sponsored by area corporations and demonstrate the business community’s broad support of LifeTown.

The two-level LifeTown building includes a “black box” theater that provides stage and seating flexibility, a three-lane bowling alley and a gymnasium, an aquatic center with a therapy pool, a therapeutic play center that resembles an outdoor park, a teaching kitchen and “tactile rooms” designed to stimulate the senses.

The exterior of the former warehouse also underwent major renovations. Roughly 7,500 square feet was excavated beneath the main level to create additional office spaces, storage and the bowling lanes. A new glass façade and entryway was added to the north side of the building.

Beyond LifeTown, the complex serves as a new home for Friendship Circle, a faith-based nonprofit that has long provided its innovative respite, social and recreational programs in New Jersey. By linking children, their families, teen volunteers, staff and supporters, Friendship Circle promotes greater awareness and understanding of the singular needs and gifts of people with special needs and encourages respect and empathy for those facing challenges.

OWNER

LifeTown
Livingston

ARCHITECT

Rotwein+Blake
Livingston

BUILDER

Hollister Construction Services
Parsippany

FINANCE ENTITY

Regal Bank
Livingston

NOMINATOR

Isabel Turner
Marketing Director
Rotwein+Blake
Livingston

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