Vango Development CEO Van Golemis, Westfield Mayor Shelley Brindle, other local officials and project stakeholders gathered Dec. 11 to mark the start of construction for The Vantage, a planned 60-unit luxury apartment building at 112 Ferris Place in the town. — Courtesy:Vango
By Joshua Burd
Vango Development has broken ground on a planned 60-unit luxury apartment building in Westfield as part of a long-awaited addition to the Union County town.
The firm joined local officials, its project team and others last week to mark the start of construction at The Vantage at 112 Ferris Place. That puts it on track to welcome residents in early 2027, offering a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom floorplans that includes nine units of affordable housing and three live-work rentals, as well as underground parking and ground-floor retail space at the Prospect Street intersection.
Plans also call for moving and restoring a historic home that occupies part of the property, which will be relocated on the site and restored as an educational and cultural space.
“Breaking ground on The Vantage is an important moment for both Vango Development and the Town of Westfield,” 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. I’d also like to thank James Ward for making this opportunity possible, as well as Bruce Stieve of MHS Architecture and Matthew Seckler of Stonefield Engineering & Design for their contributions. 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.”
Designed by CPA Architecture and MHS Architecture, the project is moving ahead after surviving litigation by the group known as Westfield Advocates for Responsible Development, according to published reports. A story by TAPinto Westfield noted that Vango took over the development earlier this year, helping to advance what the firm says is a key piece of Westfield’s Prospect & Ferris Redevelopment Plan adopted in 2021.
The height, massing, exterior detailing and landscaping of the finished product will be designed to respect the neighborhood character and create a welcoming architectural entry into downtown Westfield, according to a news release. The developer, meantime, will look to lure renters with upscale apartments designed by Rene Pabon of The Childs Dreyfus Group, while the three live-work units will have separate entrances to support flexible living and professional needs.
Residents will also have access to conveniences such as Amazon Hub package lockers, ButterflyMX building access and electric vehicle charging stations, Vango said. Amenities and social spaces will include a landscaped courtyard with outdoor lounging areas, an outdoor kitchen and dining space and a clubhouse with fitness facilities for residents and their guests, as well as dedicated bicycle parking.
Vango said the relocation and adaptive reuse of the Mills-Ferris-Pearsall House, an 18th-century structure designated as a historic landmark by the Town of Westfield, is central to the project. Its team plans to restore and transform the property into a community-facing educational and cultural resource.
“I’m thrilled to see The Vantage get underway, which represents the smart development ideals that have guided our planning process,” Westfield Mayor Shelley Brindle said. “I’m very grateful to James Ward for his vision, commitment to the preservation of the historic Mills-Ferris-Pearsall House, and the substantial amount of time and investment he made to bring this project to approval, and of course to Vango Development for their seasoned experience as they see it through for the benefit of the community.”
