Bulletin Board Magazine 2020 Volume 1

Builder Member Spotlight

“ MonGroup’s vision for every American to live in a house that they are proud to call home is more than words to us. It is what we all try to deliver every day in every building and home we construct. ” -Dean R. Mon

MONGROUP PROPERTIES, INC.

MonGroup Properties was one of the first developers in New Jersey to complete projects meeting all three standards. The green amenities found in 175 West will include energy efficient appliances, clean air ventilation systems, toxic free flooring and other environmentally friendly features to promote sustainability and provide for healthy living. In addition to helping the environment, residents will realize utility savings. Located in a desirable area of Bayonne, 175 West will be less than a half mile from the 8th Street Light Rail Station of the Hudson- Bergen Light Rail and NJ Transit bus service. Residents will have easy access to Manhattan, Staten Island, Jersey City, as well as other areas throughout New York and New Jersey. Shopping, dining, and entertainment is within walking distance. Mon is in the planning stages for a new project called Liberty Park. Located in Union City, New Jersey, Liberty Park will feature 48 rental units. It is anticipated that Mon will break ground on this project in the summer of 2020. Although Mon is focused on sustainable living, he has not forgotten his vision to build homes that are inviting and affordable for New Jersey’s workforce. MonGroup’s stylish, modern, open, spacious, well-appointed apartments are priced to rent.

Dean Mon CEO and President of MonGroup Properties,

It’s funny how one decision can change the course of someone’s life. In the case of Dean R. Mon, chief executive officer (CEO) and president of MonGroup Properties, D.R. Mon Group and its family of independent companies (MonGroup), that decision was made in 1961. At the young age of 14, Mon’s parents thought that it was prudent to send him and his brother to Miami. Mon immigrated from Cuba with the help of a Catholic Service Program called Operation Pedro Pan. Like many others before him, Mon wanted to live the American Dream. Today, Mon is not only living the American Dream, he is delivering it to homeowners throughout the United States. You see, Mon had a vision and was determined to make a difference in the lives of others. As a public servant, Mon climbed the

Bulletin Board | 29 | www.shorebuilders.org Mon founded his company in 1985 as D.R. Mon Group, Inc. building high-end luxury single-family homes. In 1995, he realized that few builders were building homes that ladder and served in every position for the Community Builders Association (now called the Metropolitan Builders and Contractors Association of New Jersey (METRO), New Jersey Builders Association (NJBA) and now the National Association of Home Builder (NAHB). Just last month, Mon was inducted as Chairman of this prestigious organization. It is a well-deserved honor for someone who has spent his entire career helping others achieve the American Dream of Homeownership. In this position, Mon will represent the interests of home builders and homeowners nationwide and advocate for builder’s rights in the White House.

were within the budget of most New Jersey’s families. Instead, builders were focused on constructing “McMansions” that were far beyond what the workforce could afford. Living in a new stylish home in a decent neighborhood was out of the reach of the average American. Many people had to take out mortgages that they could not afford to pay down just to live in a nice home. Mon feared that the American Dream of Homeownership would not be realized or obtainable for most New Jerseyans and decided to do something. Mon saw this as an opportunity to give back to the community that he now calls home. When other builders scaled up and focused on building large luxury homes, Mon scaled down and built stylish, modern, yet modest homes in Central New Jersey with many desired amenities that were reasonably priced.

Mon rebranded the company as MonGroup Properties, Inc. in 2010 and emphasized it’s focus on building sustainable communities in urban areas to meet the growing demand for multifamily housing near where residents work and could walk to shopping, dining, and entertainment venues. Today, MonGroup is revitalizing neighborhoods throughout New Jersey – bringing much needed housing, jobs and business into communities in desirable locations in Hudson County and on the Jersey Shore. As an advocate for sustainability, Mon is considered a leader in green building and is focused on building high-quality multifamily communities for residents to live in a healthy environment.

Mon’s current project 175 West is located on New Jersey’s Gold Coast. Once completed, this building will have 20 one-bedroom and 36 two-bedroom spacious apartments for rent. Select apartments will include additional features such as a den or private deck. Residents will enjoy building amenities such as package solution systems, landscaped terrace, fitness center and more. This property will be pet friendly and feature amenities for them such as a pet washroom and pet run. Just as with Mon’s previous award-winning project, Jaclyn Heights at West New York, 175 West will be built to “triple green certifications” – LEED, Energy Star and National Green Building Standard (NGBS).

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