Kearny Mayor Alberto Santos and several council members joined Russo Development on Sept. 19 to celebrate construction at Vermella East, a planned 268-unit project in the town at the former site of a bat factory. — Courtesy: Russo Development
By Joshua Burd
Russo Development has embarked on its third residential property in Kearny, hailing the start of a 268-unit project at the former site of baseball bat factory.
The firm joined local officials last week to kick off construction at what will be known as Vermella East, which will sit on a six-acre parcel at 60 Passaic Ave. The project will breathe new life into an industrial site that had sat vacant for more than three decades, while continuing Russo’s steady expansion in the Hudson County town.
Since last summer, the developer has opened Vermella Crossing, a 230-unit property along Bergen Avenue, and Vermella West, a 280-unit community across the street from Vermella East.
“Kearny is a wonderful community that has shown its place as one of the best places to live in its market, with several vibrant new retail and residential developments completed during the past several years,” said Ed Russo, CEO of Russo Development. “Kearny is an ideal location for our Vermella brand, which pioneers unexpected but compelling locations where it can provide inspired life-style driven housing with exceptional value.”
Russo joined Mayor Alberto Santos and other members of the town council last week for a column-signing ceremony to mark the start of construction. The project will add to Russo’s portfolio of luxury but moderately priced rental housing near Newark and mass transit to New York City.
The developer has also contracted to purchase the American Strip Steel site, which is planned for the third and final phase of its Passaic Avenue project. That development is in design and is scheduled to begin in 2021.
The site of what will become Vermella East became vacant in the late 1980s after a fire destroyed the former bat manufacturing facility. The complex will feature studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments with amenities such as a resident club room and co-working space, fitness center and other offerings in a 9,200 square foot clubhouse.
“Russo Development’s creative vision has breathed new life into Kearny properties that laid dormant for decades,” Santos said. “It’s been a great partner in creating new revenues for the town while providing housing options for long-term residents looking to stay but downsize, as well as put us on the map for a new generation of residents.”
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