Harborside Financial Center

My review is a bit different from the rest. I was invited to attend my school’s Founder’s Day Ball which took place in the atrium, so this review is for the Harborside Financial Center as an event venue.
This was an evening event and the combination of the lightning and decorations was spectacular. We had a healthy mix of seating and cocktail tables so there was a nice flow of people throughout the space. There was a enough room for a large dance area and also a stage for speeches. Pretty much all you need.
I am not going to recite the food and drink in detail because I do not know who hired the catering and waitstaff. As a venue, this place was phenomenal. If you are looking for something a bit different, give the Harborside FInancial Center a chance.

I work across the street from Harborside, and I can say this… it’s a nice complex. There’s a few tall buildings with great views of Manhattan, and a few short buildings… also with great views of Manhattan. Funny how they managed that. The Light Rail is right outside, and the Exchange Place PATH is next door. All of this is fine.
The negatives come from the fact that despite the multitude of financial firms which hold offices in the complex and surrounding area (basically every large Wall Street firm/​major insurer does), there’s nothing here. Within Harborside, there are a few restaurants, but none worth taking clients too. There’s a CVS, whoopty doo. There’s a few average coffee spots, a Hyatt where the Denver Broncos stayed during the Super Bowl… and thank you for visiting Harborside Financial Center.

This place is a joke. It’s got the best location in Jersey City, directly adjacent to the Exchange Place PATH Station, spanning nearly a half mile along the waterfront. It’s got an awesome boardwalk outside, with amazing views of Downtown Manhattan. However, the retail inside is a joke. None of the stores or restaurants are worth going to. There is a boatload of unused space, including a magnificent atrium in the front entry way that’s always completely empty. Somebody needs to get their act together and maximize the value of this place. It’s just a tragic misuse of property.

The view of the Manhattan skyline is what makes any trip to Harborside Financial Center truly worthwhile. (And by trip, it’s likely a business meeting in one of the highrise buildings that make up the complex.)
During a recent assignment, I’ve been spending quite a lot of time in Harborside and had worked here for about 7 years at a previous job. After a gap of 5 years, returning to Harborside and I find that not much has really changed.
Sure, C-​Side, a local bar by Plaza 2, now has a different name. Markers, another local bar/​eatery remains.
For the daily worker, Harborside is a pleasant enough environment. What it lacks in hustle and bustle, store selection and crowds is made up in a more peaceful, semi-​suburban atmosphere. You can walk around here and not be mobbed by tourists, unlike midtown manhattan.
You’ll find several lunch time options within a 10 – 15 minute walk, mainly on Montgomery Street and the Paulus Hook section of JC. I recommend checking out Rumi for Turkish.
The Exchange Place PATH station is conveniently located at Harborside, making trips to and from NYC quite easy. The Hudson Bergen Lightrail also stops at Harborside for trips throughout Hudson County.
For those that drive in from the hinterlands of NJ there are plenty of parking garages.
Why, there’s even a NY Waterways ferry terminal too for the seafaring among us.
The rising Freedom Tower dominates the skyline from Harborside. For some of the best views of the City, you have to exit the City.

If you work in the area, or are just in the area during the work week, this is a good spot for you. On the weekends, besides the NYSC, it’s shuttered.
In addition to various corporate offices this location offers a couple different bar/​restaurants. Markers is a popular after work spot, although it’s crowd is not my taste. The other one has decent views of Manhattan, but doesn’t get the crowds.
There are also florists, ATMs, a cafeteria food court kind of place, and some other businesses including a Kinkos. All in all it is a convenient location to grab a bite, run an errand, or hit the gym if you are in the vicinity. However, I would not go out of my way to come here except for the gym.