Russo, Woodmont break ground on Orchard House by Vermella

Russo Development continues to expand its Vermella residential brand across New Jersey, last week breaking ground with Fairfield-based Woodmont Properties on a 370-apartment mixed-use project in Woodcliff Lake.

Orchard House by Vermella will rise on 21 acres at 300 Chestnut Ridge Road in the Bergen County borough. Beyond residential, like other properties under the Russo banner, the development will also feature 9,000 square feet of retail space.

However, perhaps what is most noteworthy about this project is what it will leave out. According to the team behind it, approximately half of the campus will remain open space. Future plans include a new public park and walking trail along the property’s perimeter. Orchard House’s residential breakdown will include 297 apartments, 47 townhomes and 26 supportive housing units. A total 74 units will be designated as affordable housing.

Thoughtful growth, careful planning

Woodcliff Lake approved a redevelopment plan to reinvent of part of the former BMW North America headquarters campus along Chestnut Ridge Road in September 2025.

Before the end of that year, RW Woodcliff Lake Urban Renewal LLC, the Russo-Woodmont partnership – also won approval for a payment in lieu of taxes associated with the project. The PILOT is expected to generate more than $106 million for the borough over 30 years, according to Pascack Press.

Under the agreement, Woodcliff Lake will receive between 10% and 15% of annual gross revenues from Orchard House by Vermella’s apartment units over a 30-year PILOT, and a 20-year PILOT on the nearly 50 townhouses the plans call for, that publication reported.

Developers anticipate the retail mix at Orchard House by Vermella will feature a mix of dining, service, medical and other businesses.

“Woodcliff Lake has always been a community that values thoughtful growth and careful planning,” said Mayor Carlos Rendo. “Orchard House reflects the kind of progress we want to see — development that respects the character of our Borough while positioning us well for the future.” He also celebrated the milestone on social media.

Building for the community

Along with Rendo, state Sen. Holly Schepisi, R-39th District, members of the Woodcliff Lake Council and others joined the development team for the Oct. 8 groundbreaking.

Russo Development CEO Ed Russo said his company believes that “successful redevelopment begins with understanding a municipality’s vision and finding ways for a project to contribute to it.”

Woodmont Properties CEO Eric Witmondt also called attention to that synergy. “Woodcliff Lake is an exceptional community, and Orchard House gives us the opportunity to introduce new housing choices that complement everything that already makes the Borough such a desirable place to live,” he said.

Planned campus amenities include rooftop pools, fitness facilities, resident lounges and terrace gardens. The signature Vermella Social Club lifestyle program will also offer residents a year-round social, culinary and wellness calendar — further emphasizing and cultivating the on-site community.

According to RW Woodcliff Lake Urban Renewal, the development will also include updated infrastructure, bicycle parking and electric vehicle charging stations.

The new public park set for Orchard House by Vermella continues a trend by Russo Development to incorporate public spaces for residents beyond its own. Other examples include public parks in Hackensack and East Brunswick, along with the Newark Art Space public art gallery at Vermella Broad Street in Newark.

Orchard House will offer convenient access to Garden State Parkway, Route 17, Interstate 287 and the New York State Thruway. Woodcliff Lake also has service along the NJ Transit Pasack Valley rail line.

Russo is busy elsewhere in Bergen County, including in Paramus on a project to establish its brand-new headquarters.

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