Newport’s Laguna is a proper high rise tower now, rising to what appears to be its full 17 stories. It won’t be long before the building’s exterior details begin to show up.

The new tower should add to the retail strip along the northern portion of River Drive and the southern wing of the building matches the height of the low rise portion of the Aqua tower.

Combined with the new park and access to the Hoboken terminal, the newest addition to Newport’s skyline might finally generate the community that has long been the missing element in Newport.

The tower will sit across the street from a new park currently under construction. A portion of the park has already opened.

From the Hoboken walkway, the tower rises in front of the Aqua tower.