You Won't Believe What This Celebrity-Owned N.J. Property Is Turning Into—Act Fast Before It's Gone!

A significant development has emerged in Saddle River, New Jersey, where a 54-unit townhome project has received unanimous approval from the Saddle River Planning Board. This site, once owned by the well-known actress, comedian, and talk show host Rosie O’Donnell, is poised for transformation.

Between 2013 and 2021, O'Donnell owned a sprawling 9,000-square-foot home built in 1928, featuring six bedrooms, seven full bathrooms, and two half bathrooms. After selling the property, it remained on the market for five years before being purchased by Saddle River Investors for $5.3 million. However, their initial development proposal faced rejection due to concerns, predominantly regarding snow removal.

In a turn of events, Toll Brothers, a prominent homebuilder, acquired the property along with adjacent land. The approved development, known as the East Allendale Road project, will consist of 46 market-rate townhomes and eight affordable housing units. Notably, O'Donnell previously owned about five acres of the current 10.25-acre site being developed.

The market-rate units will be designed with three bedrooms each, while the affordable units will comprise three two-bedroom and five three-bedroom options. These townhomes will be distributed among 14 buildings, which will feature three to six units per structure. The project is part of a broader initiative to address affordable housing needs in the borough.

Mayor Albert Kurpis, who serves on the Planning Board, along with representatives from Toll Brothers, did not immediately comment on the approval. Nevertheless, the East Allendale Road project represents just one of several developments in Saddle River aimed at meeting the borough’s affordable housing requirements.

Another notable development in the area is the Residences at Choctaw, a 112-unit apartment building that exclusively offers affordable housing and began accepting applications earlier this year. Located roughly a mile from the Toll Brothers project site, it highlights the growing emphasis on affordable living spaces in the area.

In addition, the Saddle River Council recently approved a developer's agreement with Avalon Bay Communities for a four-story, 274-unit apartment building on Route 17 South. This new complex will consist of 242 market-rate units along with 33 affordable units, further reflecting the borough's commitment to addressing housing needs.

Toll Brothers is also in the process of seeking approval for another project, which involves constructing 36 market-rate and 12 affordable townhome units on West Saddle River Road and Algonquin Trail. This application is currently under review and is set to be revisited by the Planning Board on January 5, 2026.

As Saddle River’s development landscape evolves, the focus on creating accessible housing options amid rising demand is clear. The unanimous approval of the East Allendale Road project marks a pivotal step in addressing the community's growing need for affordable housing while also signaling a shift towards more inclusive development in this affluent borough.