A rendering of The Vestry, a planned 46-unit rental community in downtown Montclair — Courtesy: Sterling Properties and Greenwood Development LLC
By Joshua Burd
Developers have received approvals to develop 46 upscale rental homes as part of a new boutique multifamily project in downtown Montclair, the joint venture said Thursday.
Initial site work for the project, by Sterling Properties and Greenwood Development LLC, is expected to begin this summer at 147 Bloomfield Ave. Known as The Vestry, it will rise at the former site of the Mount Carmel Holy Church just steps from NJ Transit’s Bay Street station.
Plans call for an L-shaped elevator building that will seek silver status on the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED scale for sustainable and environmentally friendly design, according to a news release. Designed by Montclair-based Sionas Architects, The Vestry will boast a red brick and glass exterior.
“We’re excited to begin construction on The Vestry, a stylish new rental building that will bring designer industrial inspired apartments and desired amenities to the eastern gateway to Bloomfield Avenue,” said Nick Hollenbeck, Sterling’s director of sales and marketing. “This dynamic, transit-friendly residential address combines a chic living environment with an ideal walkable lifestyle and easy access to great public transportation, charming Church Street and the redeveloping Lackawanna Plaza retail center located two blocks away.”
Both developers have strong roots and an established presence in Montclair. Sterling, which is based in Livingston, previously introduced the Bellclair apartments to the township, while Montclair-based Greenwood Development has been responsible for the conversion of the historic Wellmont Theater into a concert venue and many other residential and commercial initiatives in the municipality.
With their latest project, they hope to tap into the continued demand from renters who are attracted to downtown Montclair’s access and its wealth of shops, dining, cultural and entertainment venues.
“The Vestry has been designed with the surrounding community in mind,” said David Genova, principal of Greenwood Development. “Its sleek and modern exterior mixes old and new architecture to blend seamlessly with the area’s century-old homes and Bloomfield Avenue’s distinctive residential and retail streetscape.
“It will also be constructed using sustainable building techniques and materials to ensure it’s developed in an environmentally responsible fashion.”
The property will have a mix of studios, one-bedrooms and two-bedrooms, the news release said. Residents will have access to high-end amenities including a bike share program, Zipcar, covered parking and an indoor and outdoor rooftop lounge.
The Vestry also will have about 1,600 square feet of ground floor retail space.
