The Digest | New Jersey Magazine
Issue link: https://magazines.vuenj.com/i/1285484
aro Dervogormiyaciyan grew up watching his father head out each day to his construction job. His father of Armenian descent brought an immigrant mentality with him that hard work would help him achieve the American dream. Garo absorbed that work ethic and is now seeing his father's idea, that hard work pays off, to reality through his company Dervo Developers LLC of Cliffside Park, New Jersey. "Growing up, a job that required work boots and t-shirts didn't make sense to me—you need an office job and a suit to be a success. I have since learned that if you do what you love, it doesn't matter what you look like," Garo said. While he received a degree in Civil Engineering and a Master's in Construction Management from Stevens Institute of Technology and tried out a corporate job, Garo eventually realized the hands-on work he'd learned at his father's side was the work he wanted to do. Dervo Developers has been building high end duplexes since 2009 when Garo and his father bought their first property in Ridgefield. e pair did all the work themselves, learning everything from permitting to foundations, and building the skill-set that would set them on a path to success in the ever-growing home building realm. e duplexes of Dervo Developers are somewhat standard in size but completely unique in façade and interior layout. e majority are three stories with a garage, recreation space and full bath on the first floor; kitchen, dining room, living area and half bath on the second; and a master suite, two bedrooms and another full bath and laundry on the top floor. "Sometimes you get lucky with a longer or wider lot. e last one was longer so the house could be longer. Every bedroom had its own ensuite and walk-in closet. I made that change while we were framing. I revise on the fly to maximize the potential of the home," Garo said. His current home is on a wider lot so he is adding a fourth bedroom, a rooop terrace and extra-large kitchen. What stands out from the first view of his homes are the floor to ceiling windows that are showcased in the evenings by strategic lighting both inside and out. Garo also likes to put in skylights to make his spaces feel more open and spacious. V U E N J . C O M 119