[SJPhillyBoy]

https://www.courierpostonline.com/st...ng/3163307002/

Two restaurants by Philly chef/restaurateur planned for Camden

CAMDEN — Camden's Waterfront already has spectacular views, easy access from South Jersey and Philadelphia and amenities like the Adventure Aquarium and BB&T Pavilion.

It will soon have at least two high-profile dining destinations, as well.

The Schulson Collective, headed by chef and restaurateur Michael Schulson, will open two restaurants in an office tower on the Camden Waterfront that will be the corporate headquarters of Conner Strong & Buckelew, NFI and The Michaels Organization.

Schulson, the driving force behind Izakaya, Harp & Crown and Double Knot, will lead the development and management of the two restaurants. The concepts and other details of the restaurants are still being developed.

“We are excited to have Michael Schulson bring his culinary vision to Camden as our partner in two new restaurants,” George E. Norcross, III, chairman of Conner Strong & Buckelew and Cooper University Health, said in a statement Thursday.

“His talent, vision and business savvy will be key to Camden’s continued revitalization and adds an important next step in Camden’s renaissance.”

"We look forward to introducing exciting and unique dining experiences to the community in Camden,” said Schulson, whose collective manages restaurants in Atlantic City, Florida and Philafelphia. “We are inspired to have teamed up with a group of terrific individuals who share our belief in the transformational power of economic investment.”

The partners in the 18-story office tower have received New Jersey Economic Development Authority incentives worth millions, including $86.2 million over 10 years for Conner Strong & Buckelew, an Evesham-based insurer and benefits consultant led by Democratic power broker Norcross, as well as $79.3 million each for The Michaels Organization and NFI.

The 394,164-square-foot tower — which includes a rooftop helipad, six-level parking garage and open-air piazza on the eighth floor — is now the tallest building on the waterfront. Officials said nearly 1,000 people will work there.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Phaedra Trethan: @CP_Phaedra; 856-486-2417; ptrethan@gannettnj.com