Somerville and New Brunswick recently saw the sale of three long-held apartment buildings for a combined $17.5 million, reflecting the region’s hot real estate market.

In April, the Lexington and Jefferson Apartments in Somerville, owned by the same family for over 60 years, changed hands for $11.9 million. The Lexington features 54 units and Jefferson offers 64 garden-style apartments, both constructed in the early 1960s.

The buyer, Lexington Residences 2, is linked to Pentaurus Properties with a varied real estate portfolio in New Jersey and Florida. In May, the family sold Century Apartments in New Brunswick—a 38-unit building from 1969—for $5.62 million to Century Apartments LLC, connected to Penn Properties Management.

Berkadia’s Morristown office represented the sellers in both deals. The sales underscore strong demand and rising values in the local housing market, where prices for homes and apartments have increased significantly over the past year.

Craving a steak that slaps harder than your uncle’s backyard grill? Slide into Steakhouse 85 in downtown New Brunswick.

This spot is pure old-school charm with white tablecloths, deep booths, and just enough jazz to make you feel like a boss. The Cowboy Ribeye?

Big enough to feed a linebacker.

The lobster mac & cheese?

 Sinful. And don’t sleep on the seafood tower because nothing says “I made it” like oysters and crab legs on ice.

Service is classy without the snob, the wine list is deep, and yes.. it’s pricy. But for a birthday, date night, or just flexing on a Friday?

Worth every cent.

Q: How will the city of New Brunswick continue to attract businesses and residents to its downtown area?

A: The city plans to focus on improving infrastructure, creating more green spaces, and enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of the downtown area to attract businesses and residents.

Q: What initiatives are in place to preserve the historical significance of downtown New Brunswick while still promoting economic growth?

A: The city is working on initiatives to restore and preserve historical buildings, while also implementing programs to support local businesses and cultural institutions that contribute to the city's history and character.

Q: How is New Brunswick addressing the issue of affordable housing in its downtown area?

A: The city is implementing strategies such as mixed-income developments, affordable housing incentives for developers, and partnerships with non-profit organizations to ensure that all residents have access to affordable housing in the downtown area.