From left: Union Township Assistant Administrator William Reyes, Russo Development CEO Ed Russo and Union Township Mayor Manuel Figueiredo were among those on hand to mark the opening of Sol at Vermella Union and the completion of Russo’s redevelopment of a 42-acre former Merck campus off Morris Avenue. — Images courtesy: Russo
By Joshua Burd
Russo Development has marked the opening of more than 300 new luxury apartments in Union Township, the final piece of a sweeping plan to transform a 42-acre former Merck & Co. campus adjacent to Kean University.
The homes, part of what’s known as Sol at Vermella Union, are among more than 1,200 rental units that now anchor the property just off Morris Avenue. Residents at the newest building can choose from a mix of apartments that include duplex, loft-style dwellings with 10-foot ceilings, along with dedicated indoor and outdoor amenity spaces.
Russo recently hosted a grand opening for the building at 4 Vermella Way, where it was slated to welcome around 120 guests. The event last week followed the launch of the 309-unit property this past spring.
SLIDESHOW: Sol at Vermella Union
“Russo Development and its award-winning in-house architecture and engineering team along with our multidisciplined consultants, curated and designed each amenity space and apartment home attributes based on ongoing discussions with and observations by those living at our 11 Vermella properties located in nine other New Jersey municipalities,” Adam Pasternack, resident of Russo Property Management, said in a May news release. “We are very mindful of what functions best onsite, so we are always striving for subtle improvements and enhancements that set us apart. Sol is a great example of a thoughtful collaboration brought to life. We are excited to see our new community come alive with residents calling Sol home.”
Outdoor amenities at Sol include a pool and splash pad, canopied lounging and outdoor grills paired with al fresco dining options, the news release said. Residents have access to indoor features such as co-working space with both individual pods and larger conference areas to host meetings and work sessions.
Sol at Vermella Union follows Russo’s lease-up of several earlier phases at the property, including buildings of 415 and 427 units. Vermella Union also has an 88-unit property that serves exclusively as affordable housing, along with retail and restaurant operators including &Pizza, Habit Burger, Starbucks, Panera Bread, Chipotle, Mighty Quinn’s, AT&T, Blue Foundry Bank and a full-service CVS.
All told, Russo completed its redevelopment of the former Merck campus just six years after acquiring it. The parcel is minutes from the Garden State Parkway and a short drive from the New Jersey Turnpike and Newark Liberty International Airport.
