Where Luxury Living and Local Businesses Meet to Lift a Legacy Neighborhood to New Heights
Our Town | written by: PETER C. SAVERINE
Heights Crossing as seen from the Noroton Heights train station / photo courtesy V20 Group
IN THE HEART OF NOROTON HEIGHTS—where commuter convenience blends seamlessly with community tradition—a bold new destination is poised to redefine the neighborhood experience. Heights Crossing, Darien’s newest mixed-use development, is officially opening soon and promises to transform how residents live, dine, shop and connect.
Envisioned and brought to life by longtime Darien residents and father-son duo Jon and Joseph Vaccaro, Heights Crossing, located at 364 Heights Road, is far more than a real estate project. It is a personal and professional legacy: a sensitive yet ambitious reimagining of the former Noroton Heights Shopping Center into a vibrant, walkable community that honors Darien’s coastal charm while meeting its evolving needs. Historically, Noroton Heights has had several thriving incarnations that preceded and followed the construction of I-95 in the 1950’s, with some updates in the 1990’s, and the more recent flourish that began with Federal Realty’s construction of neighboring Darien Commons.
“We don’t want to just build in Darien—as long-time residents, we want to build for Darien,” says Jon. “Heights Crossing is about enhancing a neighborhood we’ve been part of for decades, with something that feels new but familiar.”
A Vision Rooted in Darien
Jon moved from Chicago to Connecticut with his wife Pam in 1980. In 1985, they landed in Darien where they raised their family. They know the streets, the people and the potential in our small community. Characterized by their quiet humility and dedication to doing right for Darien, the Vaccaro family regards Heights Crossing as another gem added to a ring of distinguished properties they have developed in Darien outside the spotlight, including Darien Place (formerly the Darien Playhouse), 1897 Post Road (adjacent to Noroton Fire Department), 1950/1958 Post Road (site of Roost, Danny’s Cycles and others), and 364 Post Road (current home of Orange Theory).
The Vaccaros lead the project through their firm V20 Group, leveraging decades of experience in real estate and finance. Jon has more than 30 years of leadership expertise, including 14 years as global head of commercial real estate at Deutsche Bank. Joe, a Darien High School graduate, brings analytical insight and community-minded leadership to V20 from a successful career in structured finance with firms such as Merrill Lynch, RBC Capital Markets and Amherst Securities. Jon and Joe are joined by another long-time Darienite, Tyler Grant (of the Grant Auto Body family) who is vice president of their team.
Together, their experience and deep ties to Darien fuel a commitment to creating spaces that resonate with the town.
Jon and Pam Vaccaro / photo by: Bambi Riegel | riegelpictureworks.com
A Community Effort
While the project may seem newly realized, it began 15 years ago with the Palmer family of Palmer’s Market. Co-owner Greg Palmer reflects on the journey: “We started working on this in 2010 with Tom Golden, who owned several properties along Heights Road, to amend the zoning regulations, to allow for an overlay zone of mixed used development.” He shared that the path was not without challenges. The pandemic caused delays and financial hurdles, but collaboration with the V20 Group revived the project.
“We are proud to have worked with the Vaccaros to bring this vision to life. Our goal was to create a village landscape with easy walking access between Heights Crossing and Palmer’s Market. As a family, we look forward to serving the entire Darien community for many years to come as the fifth generation of Palmers continue our legacy of being a trusted partner in the greater Darien community,” he continued.
Cindy Palmer Dean, co-owner and creative director of Palmer’s Market, adds, “Working with the Vaccaros has been a true pleasure. Their attention to detail—from landscaping to architecture—has brought beauty and thoughtfulness to this project. We are excited to welcome new neighbors and the positive energy they will bring.”
Heights Crossing before. Circa 1950s
About the Residences
Heights Crossing offers 65 upscale rental residences, including one-, two- and three-bedroom units with 10 affordable luxury apartments, ranging from 683- to 946-square-feet one-bedroom units to 1,974- to 2,000-square-feet three-bedroom units with office.
Apartments feature gourmet kitchens with quartz countertops, high-end appliances, open-concept layouts with nine-foot ceilings, in-unit washers and dryers, luxury vinyl flooring, custom closets and enhanced soundproofing.
Amenities include landscaped outdoor patios, a fitness center with a golf simulator, dedicated co-working spaces, a resident lounge with soaring ceilings, secure garage parking, bike storage and on-site staffing.
Where Everything Connects
Heights Crossing is just steps from the Noroton Heights Metro North Station and adjacent to beloved local businesses including Palmer’s Market and Fabricare Cleaners as well as the Noroton Heights Post Office, Darien Depot Teen Center and Post 53 Emergency Services.
The retail mix has been carefully curated to enrich daily life with local flavor. Tenants include The Goddard School, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Garden Catering from Greenwich, Raphael’s French Bakery, Heights Wine & Liquors (formerly Frate’s Liquors relocated), Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids and PVOLVE Gym.
Jon and Joe envision Heights Crossing as a complementary hub to Darien Commons, establishing Noroton Heights as a vibrant second business district serving the town. “Our focus is on diversity—unique food, services and retailers that highlight local entrepreneurs rather than national chains—paired with understated luxury housing that elevates the neighborhood,” they say. “All this with easy access to Metro-North, I-95, and without the usual Post Road traffic.”
Raphael’s Bakery, one of the new entrepreneur-owned local businesses slated to open in Heights Crossing / photo courtesy V20 Group
Voices from New Tenants
Garden Catering, a Greenwich mainstay since 1978, is excited to bring its famous hand-cut chicken nuggets and signature potato cones to Darien. Garden Catering Chief Operating Officer Tina Carpenteri shares, “We think Darien customers will love the quality and convenience we offer, whether for a quick lunch or catering a crowd.”
Raphaël’s Bakery, founded by a family that moved from Paris to Greenwich in 2002, is expanding to Heights Crossing with its second location. The three Dequeker brothers who own the business say of their bakery, “Our freshly baked breads, croissants and pastries, including crowd-pleasing chouquettes, will bring a taste of France to Darien.”
Joe Vaccaro and sons at the Heights Crossing building site last year / photo courtesy V20 Group
The Next Chapter: Opening Details
Now in its final construction phase, Heights Crossing is set to open by late summer 2025, with The Goddard School welcoming families just in time for the new school year. “The school addresses a critical need for high-quality, full-day, year-round childcare for infants through Pre-K, complete with three outdoor playgrounds and robust programs,” says the Goddard team.
As Jon and Joe put it, Heights Crossing is more than a development; it’s a very personal, family commitment to the future of Noroton Heights—a place where luxury living and local legacy come together to create a thriving, connected community.
For more about Heights Crossing, visit heightscrossingdarien.com.
