Multifamily building, 800 Sylvan Ave

The full picture AI research · Nov 1, 2026

A building permit was filed in December 2024 for a multifamily residential building of about 96,543 square feet at 800 Sylvan Ave. The reported construction cost is about $7.6 million. The site is part of a 20-acre former corporate campus that the developer, Garden Communities, is turning into a rental community called The Sylvan.

The old office and research buildings were demolished starting in November 2022. News coverage describes the first phase as 112 three-bedroom townhome-style rentals, which were under construction in May 2025. Earlier plans also described a mid-rise building with studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments. Reports say it is the borough's first new multifamily development in decades.

The site has a long history of disputes. A planning board denial in 2017 led to a lawsuit, a court ruling, a borough eminent domain effort, and an affordable housing settlement in 2024. Reports of unit counts vary, and the county records do not say which phase this permit covers.

What it could mean nearby

• New rental housing in a borough that has built little multifamily housing in recent decades.
• An affordable housing settlement tied to the site could help the borough meet its state housing obligations.
• Construction activity on Sylvan Ave is likely to continue as phases are built.
• No traffic, school or utility studies for this permit were found.

Where it stands

A building permit has been filed, and press coverage shows the first phase already under construction and pre-leasing planned for fall 2025. Next steps are usually permit review and inspections during construction, then occupancy approval.

• May 2025 Trade press reported Phase 1 construction well underway
• Dec 10, 2024 Latest county building permit filing for the multifamily building
• Oct 2024 Borough reached a reported $7 million settlement tied to its housing obligations at the site
• Nov 2022 Demolition of the former corporate campus began
• Jul 2021 Borough moved ahead with an eminent domain process for the site
• Nov 2017 Planning board denied an earlier development application, leading to litigation

Want to weigh in? The Englewood Cliffs Planning Board and borough council handle local land-use matters, and residents can comment at their public meetings. Building permits themselves are generally reviewed by the borough construction office.

Who's behind it

Garden Communities · A New Jersey-based multifamily developer and owner (based in Short Hills) behind The Sylvan redevelopment.

Around the web

• The Sylvan high-end development underway in Englewood CliffsROI-NJ · May 14, 2025Phase 1 of 112 three-bedroom townhomes was under construction, with pre-leasing planned for early fall 2025.
• Demolition Begins at 20-Acre Redevelopment Site in Englewood CliffsJersey Digs · Nov 22, 2022Demolition of the former corporate campus began for the new multifamily community.
• Englewood Cliffs demolition marks start of first multifamily project in decadesROI-NJ · Nov 22, 2022Described the project as the borough's first new multifamily development in decades.
• Englewood Cliffs Moves Forward on Eminent Domain Process at 800 Sylvan Avenue for Affordable HousingNew York YIMBY · Jul 2021The borough pursued eminent domain at the site for housing and public uses.

Researched by AI from public sources on Nov 1, 2026. It can make mistakes, so check the linked sources and the municipality before relying on it.