In a striking turn of events, a once-grand New Jersey estate previously owned by celebrity Rosie O'Donnell is shedding its past identity to become part of a new housing development.
According to the Daily Mail, the property, sold at a loss in 2021, is now under the ownership of luxury builder Toll Brothers and is being reimagined as the East Allendale Road plan, featuring 54 townhouses with eight designated as affordable housing units.
Located in Saddle River, one of New Jersey's wealthiest towns with a median income of $228,000, the estate has a storied history. O'Donnell purchased the mansion on East Allendale Road in 2013 for $6.3 million. Just two years later, in 2015, she listed the property for $7 million, hoping for a profit.
Despite her efforts, the home sat on the market for five years without any offers. In 2021, O'Donnell finally sold the estate for $5.3 million, taking a significant $1 million loss. The buyer, Saddle Rivers Investors, had ambitious plans to transform the property into a housing complex.
The initial proposal by Saddle Rivers Investors aimed to build 60 townhouses, including eight affordable units, on the site. However, this plan faced rejection from the town's planning board in 2021. The board cited concerns over increased traffic and an inadequate snow removal strategy as reasons for the denial.
For years, progress on the property stalled due to resistance from residents. Many in Saddle River, where most homes are valued between $1 million and $5 million, opposed the inclusion of affordable housing. This opposition reflected broader tensions in the affluent community over zoning and development policies.
Eventually, luxury builder Toll Brothers acquired the estate, stepping in with a fresh approach. The company proposed a revised plan, now called the East Allendale Road plan, scaling back to 54 townhouses. Of these, eight units are still set aside as affordable housing to meet local requirements.
This new proposal aligns with a significant legal agreement made in February 2020. The settlement between Saddle River and the Fair Share Housing Center mandates the town to develop 139 affordable housing units.
It adheres to the Mount Laurel Doctrine, a long-standing New Jersey Supreme Court ruling that prevents zoning practices from excluding lower-income families in wealthier areas.
The Mount Laurel Doctrine has been a guiding principle in New Jersey for decades, aiming to ensure equitable housing opportunities. For Saddle River, complying with this ruling means balancing the needs of diverse income groups in a high-value real estate market. The East Allendale Road plan represents a step toward fulfilling part of the town's affordable housing obligations.
Hearings for the revised East Allendale Road plan are scheduled to begin on September 9. These discussions will be crucial in determining whether Toll Brothers' vision for the site can move forward. The outcome could set a precedent for how Saddle River addresses its remaining affordable housing commitments.
The transformation of O'Donnell's former estate highlights broader issues of housing equity in affluent areas. As Saddle River navigates these changes, the project could reshape the town's demographic and economic landscape. Residents and officials alike await the planning board's decision with keen interest.
For now, the estate that once bore the imprint of a well-known celebrity is poised for a new chapter. No longer tied to Rosie O'Donnell's name, the property is becoming a symbol of evolving community priorities.
The East Allendale Road plan may soon stand as a testament to the challenges and possibilities of inclusive development.