Listen to this articleThe basics:
- Vango Development breaks ground on The Vantage at 112 Ferris Place
- Four-story mixed-use building will add 60 rental units, including 9 affordable homes
- Project includes ground-floor retail, parking and transit-oriented access near NJ Transit
- Historic Mills-Ferris-Pearsall House will be relocated and adaptively reused
A groundbreaking for The Vantage signals a new living experience on the way for downtown Westfield.
Vango Development celebrated the start of the four-story project Dec. 11. The work will introduce 60 rental residences – with nine affordable housing units – to 112 Ferris Place.
The project will also add parking and a ground-level commercial space in the Union County municipality.
An event to celebrate the start to construction drew officials, including outgoing Mayor Shelley Brindle, Town Council members, past elected officials and other stakeholders.
New Jersey-based developer Vango brings a focus on mixed-use work. The firm’s other recent deliveries include The Parker in Rutherford. Also situated in a downtown and transit-oriented environment – two blocks from the train station – that two-building project added 112 luxury rentals to help activate and elevate the area. In Westfield, the latest is less than a half-mile from the local NJ Transit rail station.
This project is a component of the town’s 2021 Prospect & Ferris Redevelopment Plan. The work aims to keep “historic preservation, a vibrant and active downtown, high-quality architecture, and diverse housing options” at the heart of local planning.
Moving history
In Westfield, a central part of the project is the relocation and adaptive reuse of the Mills-Ferris-Pearsall House.
As described by the local Historical Preservation Commission, the circa 1750 house offers a well-preserved example of Colonial and ante-bellum architecture, as well as a monument to three prominent Westfield families. The property is one of the oldest houses in Westfield.
The project will restore and transform the structure of the Mill-Ferris-Pearsall House, designated a historic landmark by the town, into a community-facing educational and cultural resource, according to Vango.
“I’m thrilled to see The Vantage get underway, which represents the smart development ideals that have guided our planning process,” said Mayor Brindle.
CPA Architecture and MHS Architecture provided design for The Vantage. The height, massing, exterior detailing and landscaping are made to respect the character of the existing neighborhood. Vango also said it would establish an architectural entry to downtown.
The building will offer a mix of (30) one-, (28) two- and (two) three-bedroom layouts. That will also include three “live-work” units that offer separate entrances to support living and professional needs.
The retail component will sit at the corner of Prospect Street and Ferris Place. Vango noted the component would help to activate the corner.
Additional features at The Vantage include:
Energy-efficient central heat and air, full-size in-home washers and dryers, an Amazon Hub package lockers, ButterflyMX building access and EV charging stations
Vango Development CEO Van Golemis said, “This project reflects years of planning and the collective efforts of both the current administration and the leadership that came before it, whose guidance helped shape a thoughtful redevelopment plan for Prospect and Ferris.”
Golemis also extended his thanks to James Ward, Bruce Stieve of MHS Architecture and Matthew Seckler of Stonefield Engineering & Design. “Our goal is to deliver a building that fits seamlessly into the neighborhood, honors the site’s history, and provides a sophisticated new residential option for those who love Westfield’s quality of life,” he said.
Rene Pabon of The Childs Dreyfus Group is handling interiors. According to Vango, homes features will include high ceilings, luxury plank flooring, quartz countertops, soft-close cabinetry, stainless-steel appliances and spa-inspired bathrooms with Kohler fixtures.
Rounding out the experience, a landscaped amenity courtyard will offer lounging areas, an outdoor kitchen and dining space. The Vantage will also feature a clubhouse with fitness facilities and dedicated bicycle parking.
