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Chicago-based Mary Cook Associates (MCA), a national, award-winning commercial interior design firm, announced the completion of the interiors for two recently delivered boutique multifamily communities in Northern New Jersey: Park & Arbor in Old Tappan and 619 North in Ho-Ho-Kus. MCA provided interior design services for the common areas and unit finish packages at both communities.

“These two projects exemplify how thoughtful, well-executed design can elevate the impact of relatively small development footprints,” said Mary Cook, founder and president of MCA. “Our approach to each community embraced opportunities to not only maximize amenity square footage through flexible, multipurpose spaces but also create beautifully livable designs that resonate across demographics — including younger professionals seeking modern amenities as well as downsizers who want to remain connected to the area.”

Both developments are situated in proximity to regional transit and access to Manhattan and other metropolitan hubs. The interiors of Park & Arbor and 619 North celebrate local influences by combining sophisticated style and flexible functionality, utilizing MCA’s researched approach to design and programming.

Mary Cook Associates designed the interiors of Park & Arbor, a 110-residence rental community for client Hornrock Properties, to bring a refined, hospitality-inspired living experience to the project’s picturesque location in Bergen County.

“Park & Arbor’s amenity spaces have a curated aesthetic that resonates with the area’s historic context while also offering residents an upscale, urban feel,” said Cook. “Our researched design approach prioritized unexpected moments, from the speakeasy-inspired clubroom to flexible work-from-home amenities, that enrich everyday life for residents.

MCA’s interiors blend rich textiles and deliberately imperfect details, such as handmade-look tiles, hand-arranged greenery elements and handmade artwork, including hand-thrown pottery, to create a layered environment that feels both authentic and timeless.

Amenity spaces include a cafe with a coffee bar; coworking booths and a conference suite; a children’s playroom; a fitness center; and a pet spa. Outdoor spaces feature a resort-style pool with cabana seating, multiple firepits, a bocce court, grilling and dining areas, a putting green and several seating areas tucked into landscaping.

Ho-Ho-Kus’ 619 North is a luxury multifamily development by Vertical Real Estate Capital, featuring a boutique scale and meticulously detailed design.

“619 North required intentional design choices to make use of every square foot while maximizing impact,” said Cook. “The design incorporates artsy, eclectic undertones that add personality and visual interest while also authentically connecting to the surrounding area. This is especially evident in the coworking space, where a wall of curated artwork introduces color, texture and a creative energy.”

MCA’s interiors at 619 North take cues from the building’s suburban setting, incorporating warm wood tones, layered textures and botanical influences to create an inviting ambiance. The main rooftop amenity level is flooded with natural light and opens directly to a landscaped rooftop terrace. The flexible space supports social gatherings, remote work or a quiet retreat.

Additional MCA-designed resident amenities at 619 North include a residential lounge, coffee bar, coworking center with private conference rooms, state-of-the-art fitness center, all-sport simulator, rooftop lounge with BBQ grill and firepit, as well as a pet spa.

3-minute read

The Ho-Ho-Kus school board has approved a new 10-year, $44 million contract with Northern Highlands Regional High School in Allendale to educate its high school students on a send/receive basis.

The contract marks a 30-year relationship between Northern Highlands and Ho-Ho-Kus, which began sending its high school students there in 1996, ending a 22-year relationship with Midland Park. The Northern Highlands School District includes students from Allendale and Upper Saddle River, as well as Saddle River students who also attend on a send/receive basis.

The agreements were approved by the Northern Highlands board on June 3 and by the Ho-Ho-Kus board on June 4.

Highlands Superintendent Scot Beckerman and Ho-Ho-Kus Superintendent Diane Mardy issued a joint statement.

"We are excited to share that we have agreed on a new 10-year send-receive agreement which will allow Northern Highlands to service Ho-Ho-Kus High School students from 2025 through 2035," reads the statement. "Both districts have a longstanding relationship that has been very beneficial to both communities, and we look forward to continuing that relationship."

Beckerman said that during their last contract, Highlands and Ho-Ho-Kus "agreed to go to a flat tuition rate per year instead of a per-pupil cost."

"That allows each district the ability to budget more easily and helps balance out low and high enrollment by taking a 10-year average," Beckerman said. "There is a 2% per year escalator on the agreed-upon amount. The first year reflects an agreed-upon number from our last contract, which is why it does not match years 2-10."

The annual send/receive charges for Ho-Ho-Kus include:

Assuming an average of 245 Ho-Ho-Kus students across four grades attend per year, the contract's average cost per pupil works out to $17,949, starting around $16,605 and ending at $19,455 with 2% escalators, Beckerman said.

"Our annual cost per student is around $27,000, but we don't charge that to Ho-Ho-Kus for two reasons," Beckerman said. "First, it does not cost us the same to educate out-of-district students. Whether Ho-Ho-Kus is here or not, those costs still exist. Second, Ho-Ho-Kus pays all high school special education out-of-district costs and ancillary costs such as transportation and paraeducators. Add those two items up and you're looking at a similar number to our per-student cost."

Because Ho-Ho-Kus students constitute more than 10% of the Highlands student population, the district has a voting member on the Highlands Board of Education, currently Maggie Liljegren. Mardy estimated that of 62 eighth-grade resident graduates this year, 54 of them, or 87%, will attend Highlands.

Northern Highlands Board of Education President Christine Ferrarie said, "We are happy to continue the strong and collaborative relationship we have long enjoyed with Ho-Ho-Kus."

Ho-Ho-Kus Board President Mary Ellen Nye said, "We are pleased to extend our relationship with Northern Highlands for another decade."

"Our students thrive at Northern Highlands and our communities have developed a mutually beneficial relationship since the days of our first contract in 1996," Nye said.

2-minute read

HO-HO-KUS — The district's 584 students assembled for their first glimpse of the new school gymnasium on Friday, built with a $10 million donation from Class of 1954 alumnus David Duffield.

The gift was announced in December 2022, and the only stipulation was that it be used for some kind of athletic facility, Duffield said before the ceremony. The design was left up to the school and executed by LAN Architects.

The previous gym was added to the southeast corner of the 1936 K-8 school in 1978. The new gym has been built at the school's northwest corner. The building is dedicated to Dave and Al's parents, Al and Mary Duffield. Mary taught at the school for many years.

Eighth graders in yellow vests served as ambassadors, greeting guests at the yellow and blue balloon arch over the gym's entrance.

"We think it's great," said Luke Pedican, who was handing out programs. "We're sorry we won't get as much use out of it as other grades, but we can still come back for games."

Duffield and wife Cheryl, brother Al, also an alumnus, and his wife, Jane, got the full student honors treatment, with the school's "Let's go, bears!" cheer, the song "Thankful" by the third and fourth grade chorus, and a letter-by-letter cheer spelling out "Duffield Hall," the building's name.

David and Al used giant scissors to cut a blue ribbon officially opening the new facility, followed by two ceremonial basketball tosses with an assist from the school's bear mascot.

A student from each grade asked Duffield a question, including: "What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?" Duffield's response: butter pecan. "How to be successful?" Duffield's response: "Do your best job here." And "If you could talk to yourself in middle school, what would you tell yourself?" Duffield's response: "Start dating sooner."

Duffield went on from Ho-Ho-Kus to graduate from Ridgewood High School and Cornell University. His success came in a series of software companies, including Workday, PeopleSoft and Ridgeline. However, he advised students to "pick out something you're good at" and "work really hard at it."

Thanks were issued by Superintendent Diane Mardy, Principal Martha Walsh and Board of Education President Mary Ellen Nye. Duffield was joined at the ceremony by other classmates, who chose to make the dedication a part of their 70th-year reunion celebration.

Students departed under the gym's slogan: "We will be known by the tracks we leave," painted on the wall.

The public is invited to view the gym on the school's 77 Lloyd Road campus at an open house on Tuesday from 6 to 7 p.m.