EASTON, Pa. — After six years, The Commodore has officially opened the doors to its decadent mixed-use property situated right on the Delaware River.
Hundreds of guests were in attendance for the ribbon cutting and opening of the luxury apartment, rooftop restaurant, and retail space sitting at 100 Northampton Street.
“The gateway property in the heart of Easton’s vibrant outdoor community,” as per owners ODG 100-116 LLC, holds 38 luxury one and two-bedroom apartments, atop of which sits Thyme Rooftop Grille. Agamon Bakery & Café and Clever Girl Winery hold two of the three retail spaces on the ground floor.
Monthly rent for the luxury accommodations ranges from about $2,000 for a 789-square-foot one bed, one bath unit to $3,150 for a 1,195-square-foot two bed, two bath unit.
Many of the apartments feature sprawling views of the Delaware River and the free bridge, though the bulk of the units on the top two floors have all been swept up already.
Following a ribbon cutting at the public lobby, guests packed Thyme to enjoy food and drinks while local and state politicians congratulated Optima Durant Group Founding President Garett Vassel on the long-awaited opening.
State Sen. Lisa Boscola, D-Lehigh/Northampton, praised the project as part of the revitalization of Easton, telling Vassel “You’re a relatively young man, and you took the chance and the risk to make this happen.”
“From all of us in the Lehigh Valley, thank you very much,” Boscola said. “I look forward to coming to this restaurant a lot.”
Reminiscing on meeting with Vassel years ago and reviewing plans over cups of coffee, state Rep. Robert Freeman, D-Northampton, heralded the president for his enthusiasm and dedication to The Commodore, and the city overall.
“Easton is moving forward, Easton is prospering, Easton is getting back up its feet after many years of struggle. And I thank the mayor for his leadership in that fight, but also the people of Easton – many of you here in this room who never gave up on this great community,” Freeman said.
Mayor Sal Panto Jr. praised Vassel for revitalizing the “iconic building,” especially amid the trying times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’ve got to give you a lot of credit, Garrett. I mean, I really don't know anyone who did a multimillion-dollar project like this, in the midst of a pandemic, like what we had in 2021 and 22 and 23. I really appreciate everything that you've done for the city. This building is an iconic building. It's exactly the kind of building we want – it is the gateway from New Jersey,” Panto said.
Representatives from the offices of U.S Rep. Susan Wild, D-Lehigh Valley, Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure, and U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., also offered congratulations to Vassel and the rest of The Commodore team.
Easton Area Land Developers head and former mayor Phil Mitman presented Vassel with an Entrepreneurial Spirit Award from the EALD after recalling when Vassel approached him to tell him he wanted the building years ago.
“And so it says – with The Commodore architectural piece on there, which we're standing in – ‘The Entrepreneurial Spirit Award, indeed, to Garett Vassel, founding president, Optima Durant Group, in recognition of your completion of The Commodore, your incredible entrepreneurial zeal, your paramount perseverance, dedication to your family integrity, and the Easton community,’ from the EALD board of directors,” Mitman said, adding “you deserve this more than anyone I know right now.”
Taking to the podium before thanking his family, friends, and professional connections which made the project possible, Vassel offered his thoughts on the vast amount of time and energy the endeavor took, offset by the incredible reception from the public during the opening.
“It's amazing, The Commodore, it's like my third child. And I say that to a lot of people. You will laugh, but I do still quite maintain that. It has all the elements of parenting, you know, the different phases and chapters and difficulties that you have and you experience. And then, of course, the moments of joy, which I guess would be today,” Vassel said.
Capping off the speaking engagements, Vassel raised a glass of champagne in celebration of six years of work establishing The Commodore, to the cheers of a packed house at Thyme.
“May this building stand the test of time. Optima Durant, as we all said, it means ‘the best endures.’ May this building stand the test of time,” Vassel said.
