An innovative, user-centric new housing solution from Vessel Technologies, Inc. has landed at 121 Perry Street, opening up opportunities to lease exciting, sustainable, and universally accessible apartments at attainable prices.
Leveraging strategies borrowed from consumer product development companies, Vessel’s unique design incorporates the latest software-enabled technologies, sustainable building materials, and elegant aesthetics in apartments accessible to hard-working community members.
“Our mission is to offer each person an equal opportunity for an extraordinary life by providing access to the exciting homes they previously could only dream about,” said Vessel founder Neil Rubler. “Under Mayor Gusciora’s leadership, the City of Trenton has been a tremendous partner in what we hope will be just the first of many opportunities to help the city achieve its vision for growth and redevelopment.”
Vessel envisions a 21st-century community solution that allows first responders, teachers, entrepreneurs, and others to live in the communities where they work and serve. It partners with ‘hometowns’ to deliver exceptional options for the “missing middle,” those who earn too much to qualify for subsidized housing and too little for current ‘market-rate’ options.
“The addition of this captivating residential space was a wonderful way to jumpstart the redevelopment of Perry Street and maximize the potential of this formerly vacant lot,” said Mayor W. Reed Gusciora, who was instrumental in securing approvals for the sale and development of the city-owned lot. “Turning around the city lot by lot, block by block, is our number one priority, and we were happy to collaborate with Vessel Technologies to bring this community solution to fruition.”
Vessel is a mission-driven housing product company focused on partnering with local communities to create trailblazing, workforce living environments at attainable prices.
“I think our goal is to create universally attainable housing with a price frame that will work for vast swaths of the market that have historically been underserved. And to stay true to our mission, which is how to provide that very high-quality housing at a price point that is attainable,” said Rubler.
Someone from the community operates each Vessel property. They are known as a vested Caretaker. They are trained to forge a career in the service of their communities. Some, however, have already made a career in caring for Trenton Residents. The Perry Street Vessel Caretaker is Captain Joseph Deacon of the Trenton Fire Department, who has long served his hometown. He became curious about the project as he studied what Vessel was putting up.
“I’ve always had a long-lasting interest in container homes. And though this is a fabricated home…I noticed this being built just directly in my district that I serve. It drummed up a lot of interest…just the construction itself, this style of construction. We’re so used to fighting traditional fire fires in your standard homes or what we consider to be ordinary brick and mortar or wood frame constructions is heavy timber to see something this magnificent being built as a modern marvel. I was interested in not only from a safety standpoint but just interested as a nerd,” Captain Deacon said.
The six-unit, three-story Perry Street Vessel occupies a 60′ by 118′ lot that was previously a vacant eyesore producing no tax revenue. The new Vessel building will now provide intelligent, technology-enhanced, and sustainable housing that is among the most energy efficient in the nation. Materials, technology, appliance selections, and various design features enable Vessel to improve the built environment without damaging the natural one.
“As a lifelong resident of Trenton and a proud civil servant for more than a decade, I know first-hand the challenges of finding quality housing at an attainable price,” said Captain Deacon. “I am gratified to have been selected by Vessel as a Community Caretaker and for the opportunity to pursue my entrepreneurial goals while empowering communities through sustainable real estate, education, and community service.”