Construction to begin next month on $15M Easton mixed-use development

Approved by city officials in August, The Commodore project in downtown Easton should see the start of construction next month.

The eight-story project will include 1,700 square feet of retail space; 15,000 square feet of Class-A office space, a 6,200-square-foot rooftop restaurant and 32 residential units, with an estimated construction cost of $10 million to $15 million.

The project site is at the corner of Northampton Street and Larry Holmes Drive and serves as a main gateway to the city from the free bridge that connects to Phillipsburg, New Jersey.

The developer, Garett Vassel of Optima Durant Group in New York City, selected Jerdon Construction Services LLC of Upper Macungie Township as the construction firm for the project. Vassel said he signed a couple of letters of intent for a co-working company that would occupy some of the office space and a coffee shop that would occupy some of the retail space. Aside from those potential tenants, Vassel is still analyzing the space for the restaurant.

The architects are finalizing the designs and workers should start with demolition and then construction in November, said Ron Jerdon, president. The project should take about 12 months to complete, with a potential completion in November/December, he added.

The developer plans to preserve the historic character of the original 1880’s structure. Over the years, the building served as a chocolate factory, furniture store, liquor store, clothing store and most recently, Kaplan’s, an awning supplier. Workers will maintain the historic brick façade of the building with the 1946 addition, requiring demolition to make way for the additional space, according to Jerdon.

Artefact Architecture of Bethlehem and Beers Engineering of Lehighton are two other local firms working on the project.

On Oct. 30 at 5:30 p.m., Vassel will share details about the project at the site at 100 Northampton St. At the “Inside Look” event, he will offer attendees a look at the plan for the mixed-use building.

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