Hackensack, N.J., One Essex Plan Would Cut Retail Space by 57%

HACKENSACK, N.J. — The developer of One Essex, the seven-story, 250-apartment building planned at One Essex Street in Hackensack, wants to cut the project’s commercial and retail space by more than half. The change goes before the city Planning Board on Wednesday, Nov. 4, according to a legal notice the developer’s attorney published Friday.

Essex One Urban Renewal Company, LLC is asking the board to amend the site plan it won in 2025. The revised building would have “not less than 6,914 sq. ft.” of commercial and retail space, down from 16,070 square feet. That is about 57% less, or 9,156 square feet. The building would still be seven stories with 250 apartments, and 25 of them (10%) would still be affordable housing, the notice says.

What would change

The notice lists these changes from the plan the board approved under Resolution SP# 28-24, dated Feb. 12, 2025:

• Commercial/retail space: 16,070 sq. ft. approved; “not less than” 6,914 sq. ft. proposed.
• Parking: 435 spaces approved; 423 proposed. The notice says 366 spaces are required.
• Building footprint: about 82,208 sq. ft. approved; 84,316 sq. ft. proposed (86,112 sq. ft. of building coverage) “to accommodate required utility area and related improvements.”
• Residential amenity and support space: 221,420 sq. ft. approved; 226,497 sq. ft. proposed.
• Also: a new rooftop terrace, realigned walkways and loading areas, and changes to the street-level patio and seating areas.

The developer is asking for amended preliminary and final site plan and lot consolidation approval. It is also asking for “any and all variances, design waivers, approvals and other relief” the board and its experts decide are needed. The notice does not list any specific variances.

The project

The site is One Essex Street, a 10-lot assemblage listed as Block 66, Lots 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 38, 41, 43, 45 and 48. It is in the city’s Essex Street Redevelopment Plan area. The developer’s address in the notice is Court Plaza North, 25 Main St.

A city ordinance from 2025 (No. 32-2025) describes the approved project: 21 studios, 150 one-bedroom apartments (4 affordable), 73 two-bedrooms (15 affordable) and 6 affordable three-bedrooms. It also lists a pet wash, dog park, outdoor pool and bike storage. That ordinance puts the cost at about $107 million, with about 300 construction jobs and 85 permanent jobs. At the time, it said the site’s property taxes brought in $153,447.88 a year.

Ordinance 32-2025 approved a long-term tax exemption (PILOT) agreement for the project. In July 2025, the city announced that the newly elected council had introduced Ordinance 39-2025 to rescind that agreement. The council’s draft agenda for Aug. 11, 2025, listed Ordinance 39-2025 for final adoption. The new legal notice doesn’t mention the tax agreement.

How to weigh in

The hearing is Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers on the third floor of City Hall, 65 Central Ave. The public can attend and speak, either in person or through an attorney. The application documents are on file at the city’s Building, Housing and Land Use Department, 216 Union St., from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. The notice says to contact the Planning Board secretary. Amended plans were not posted on the Planning Board’s courtesy files page as of Friday afternoon.

The applicant’s attorney is Wendy M. Berger of Cole Schotz P.C.

The amended plan is pending. The Planning Board has not voted on it.

More Bergen TV coverage of Hackensack and Bergen County development: Hackensack, N.J., ends GOAT building tax break, OKs PILOT lien sale; Hackensack, N.J., moves to close every city park at sunset; and New Milford, N.J., former ShopRite site, 160 apartments.

Sources

• Legal notice: Essex One Urban Renewal Company, LLC, amended site plan, Hackensack Planning Board, Nov. 4, 2026 (dated Oct. 20, 2026)
• City of Hackensack Ordinance No. 32-2025 (One Essex financial agreement)
• City of Hackensack release, July 15, 2025: council introduces ordinances to rescind tax exemption agreements
• Hackensack City Council agenda, Aug. 11, 2025 (Ordinance 39-2025)
• Hackensack Planning Board meeting, Nov. 4, 2026 (city calendar)