The Commodore
About us
The Commodore is an iconic mixed-use development in the City of Easton, PA. The Commodore offers city living in a revitalized downtown, surrounded by natural resources. Tenants experience a unique quality of life, within a vibrant artistic community.
The Timeline of
The Commodore Development
We invite you to experience Pennsylvania’s gateway property in the heart of Easton’s vibrant outdoor community. The Commodore is located along the historic Delaware River, one of the Northeast region’s most cherished waterways. Consisting of 32 luxury rental residences; 14,000 square foot office package; 8,000 square foot rooftop restaurant; two retail spaces on Easton’s main corridor; a tenant gym and additional amenities, this marquee property is a mixed-use building that operates as a complete lifestyle ecosystem.”
The Commodore project is under contract
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, ODG focused efforts on achieving the project’s construction budget & secured it’s first financing on the project with Easton Area Industrial Land Development Company (EAILD)
Deal for the Commodore is closed!
The original 24,000 square foot chocolate factory, furniture, liquor, then clothing store, was acquired to elevate its 1880’s charm with the new opportunities of downtown Easton.
The earliest design (and sketch) of the commodore is created
The Commodore development committed to building a Roof Top Restaurant in March 2019
The Easton Planning Commission & Historic Commission voted unanimously to approve development plans for The Commodore on Northampton Street.
Local government and business leaders showed their support for the project as an increased need for commercial and residential space downtown became increasingly apparent.
The Commodore took out initial financing with a follow-up pre-construction loan with Centric Bank
The Commodore’s initial electrical infrastructure work was completed with MetEd, June 4, 2020
The Commodore completed abatement work on August 2, 2020
The Commodore closed on the first CPACE loan in Northampton County in March 2021.
The Commodore receives a $13 Million Dollar construction loan from Procida Funding & Advisors to complete the development.
The Commodore awarded HC. Pody the construction contract to build the Commodore, May 11, 2021
The Commodore initiated demotion on May 26, 2021
Building begins on the first mid-rise, ground-up construction to happen in Easton in more than 28 years.
The former owners, Randi and David Kaplan, of Kaplan Enterprises, get together with Garett Vassel, to on-site to collect remnants of the old structure, August 5, 2021
First concrete is poured on site, September 31, 2021
Steel arrives to the commodore site (December 2021)
Optima Durant Group President Garett Vassel and Venture X Co Working Allynus President, Terry Wallace, January 6, 2022, make final structural decisions about the office space.
The Commodore reaches the 4th story of steel frame construction on February 7, 2022
The Commodore website goes live in February 2022, and starts accepting lease commitments on Residential, Retail, and Roof Top Restaurant
The Commodore to host topping off event on the site.
Optima Durant Group
Optima Durant Group is a fully integrated real estate company that focuses on development, construction, design and property management. Optima Durant, the motto of the founder’s long-time primary childhood school, translates to The Best Endures. The Company was founded in 2017 and pursues projects within the New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas markets.
Development
Providing investors ground-up and re-development opportunities within commercial and residential real estate
Design
Providing integrated design services for commercial and residential assets
Construction
Providing the full suite of construction management services for Optima Durant Development projects as well as independent construction projects.
Management
Providing integrated property management services for commercial and residential assets
A Letter From the Founder
Optima Durant Group was born from my lifelong passion for real estate, design, and aesthetics. Growing up on Long Island, I was always searching for historic structures, properties, and mansions to sketch and appreciate. My long-time primary school motto “Optima Durant” translates to The Best Endures, and the meaning has always resonated with me. I selected this motto for the namesake of my company to draw inspiration, by reminding myself to think long-term. The Company name also serves as a reminder to stay connected to what is important and to think boldly and creatively when approaching challenges.
Optima Durant Group is the assemblance of vertically integrated and complementary companies that are suited to help one another execute collective goals. We built this company to have a true foundation for sustainable growth and view the group platform as a means to ebb and flow with the times in order to perform competitively for generations to come.
Optima Durant Group is a unique real estate company that considers real estate an ever-relevant asset class, while being poised to capitalize on competencies and opportunities in adjacent businesses over time.
Garett M. Vassel
Founding President,
Optima Durant Group
