Over twenty years ago, LAN was commissioned to draw a master plan for Christian Health, a senior living health-care organization in Wyckoff, New Jersey. What started with a comparatively small workload always had large ambitions penciled in. In 2016 those plans went into full motion when development started on The Vista, a 400,000-sf continuing care retirement community. The project was completed in 2021 and The Vista was just honored by The New Jersey Planning Officials with the organization’s 2022 Achievements in Planning Award.
The New Jersey Planning Officials or, NJPO, is a 501(c)(3) educational non-profit organization whose goal is to educate board members throughout New Jersey, so they can make better land use decisions. Every year, the NJPO honors projects of all sizes that reflect a good sense in planning, and dedicated individuals, whose efforts benefit their community’s quality of life. This year’s event was held on Friday, September 30th at the Pines Manor in Edison.
Located in a secluded enclave, The Vista is set apart from the suburban landscape that surrounds it. The campus is bordered by woods, and views of the Ramapo Mountains are seen off in the distance. The surroundings establish the mood for the relaxing atmosphere on The Vista’s 78-acre grounds, which are populated with streams, paved walking trails, and gardens. The main facility has three stories, 164 independent living apartments, underground parking, a variety of restaurants, and countless amenities.
“This was a true team effort,” said LAN Associates President Ken Karle, who led the project. “LAN’s full-service team worked alongside the team at Christian Health, and the countless town and county officials required to get the project built. A lot of people needed to work in cooperation on this project since it sits on land that crosses borders and I thank all of them for their efforts”
The Vista is located on land that sits on two towns in two different counties, so not only did it require two municipal approvals, it required two county approvals. In total the Vista required coordination with four different planning departments: Hawthorne, Wyckoff, Bergen County and Passaic County. The award was dedicated to all the towns and counties involved.
Both town’s mayors where in attendance to accept the award and make remarks. Wyckoff Mayor Rudolf E. Boonstra thanked everyone involved “for all the work and perseverance that went into this project,” and made special mention of Christian Health and its Executive Director Douglas Struyk and LAN Associates and its President Ken Karle.
Hawthorne Mayor John V. Lane remarked “The Vista is a fantastic showcase for senior living. LAN Associates did a great job. It was a long road, it was 5 years between both towns and both counties, but we got it done.”
LAN Associates served as the project architect for The Vista, with help from Hord Coplan Macht Architects who collaborated throughout the project. The interior design was provided by Merlino Design Partnership, and the project was built by LeCesse Construction.
