CHICAGO, IL - Chicago-based Mary Cook Associates (MCA), a national, award-winning commercial interior design firm, announces 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 quaint New Jersey towns with 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.
Park & Arbor – Old Tappan, N.J.
Mary Cook Associates designed the interiors of Park & Arbor, a 110-residence rental community in Old Tappan, N.J., for client Hornrock Properties, to bring a refined, hospitality-inspired living experience to the project’s picturesque location in suburban 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.
“Because of the building’s compact footprint, MCA strategically used patterned flooring to define and differentiate key amenity zones, creating high-impact visual interest,” Cook added. “This solution provides more durability than traditional area rugs and helps establish traffic patterns to ease circulation 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. Residents are welcomed by a dramatic double-height lobby where custom flooring treatments and curated furnishings ground seating zones. A beautifully detailed mailroom adjacent to the entry reinforces the boutique feel, with repeating curved design elements that establish visual continuity throughout. Planters and greenery offer residents the benefits of biophilic design, improving both mood and well-being.
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 fire pits, a bocce court, grilling and dining areas, a putting green and several seating areas tucked into landscaping.
619 North – Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ
Nestled in the heart of Ho-Ho-Kus’ charming tree-lined downtown, 619 North is a luxury multifamily development by Vertical Real Estate Capital. With its boutique scale and meticulously detailed design, the community merges elegance with approachability.
“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 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 and a pet spa.
About Mary Cook Associates: Established in 1986, Mary Cook Associates (MCA) is a fully integrated interior architecture and design firm nationally known for creating innovative interiors for leading owners and developers of real estate. The firm’s projects include multifamily, model homes, student living, senior living, clubhouses, restaurants, and hospitality environments. MCA’s work emphasizes functionality, showcases possibilities, and delivers a measurable ROE℠ (Return on Environment). MCA’s team includes more than two dozen designers and architects that are strategic, imaginative and skilled at designing a wide variety of spaces that respond to demographic, geographic and lifestyle influences of target markets. Smart, functional spaces that establish immediate connections with their users and boost Living Better by Design℠, increase property value, and accelerate sales and occupancy rates are the hallmarks of the results MCA consistently achieves. In its 38th year, the firm continues to expand its national presence with award-winning work across the country. www.marycook.com