Future of Fair Lawn’s Nabisco Site Uncertain as Demolition Continues Slowly

file photo pre-demolition

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Fair Lawn NJ,  the iconic former Nabisco factory on Route 208 is steadily being dismantled, but the future of the site remains unclear, with the proposed 644,000-square-foot warehouse now a “question mark,” according to local officials.

At a recent Borough Council meeting, Borough Manager Kurt Peluso gave an update on the site’s progress, acknowledging concerns from Glen Rock residents living near the property, particularly regarding construction noise and crane placement.

Slow and Cautious Demolition Process

Peluso explained that the building’s slow takedown is intentional, citing the developer’s need to obtain clearance from both local and state building departments to ensure all materials being removed are safe and free from contamination.

“The process of checking everything before it comes down has slowed things down,” Peluso said at the March 25 meeting. “But it is coming down safely and cleanly.”

The factory, once home to the sweet scent of Oreos and animal crackers, officially shut its doors in July 2021 when Mondelez International let go of approximately 600 workers. The site was then purchased by Greek Real Estate Partners for $146.5 million.

A Warehouse Project in Limbo

Originally, Greek Real Estate Partners received approval to construct a massive 644,000-square-foot warehouse, along with 10,000 square feet of office space and 256 parking spaces. The plan was greenlit by Fair Lawn’s Planning Board in 2023.

However, Peluso now says he’s uncertain about the developer’s intentions, noting that the warehouse project is “a question mark now,” and that no new applications have been submitted to the borough.

“Looking at the market, there’s been a lot of change,” Peluso said. “New tariffs, a spike in warehouse construction across New Jersey—demand isn’t what it was when they first purchased the site.”

Warehouse Boom Slows Amid Economic Shifts

Experts say warehouse vacancy rates in New Jersey are at a 10-year high, largely due to overbuilding and uncertainty caused by President Donald Trump’s new tariffs. In a recent interview with The Record and NorthJersey.com, David Greek, managing partner of Greek Real Estate Partners, confirmed that many potential warehouse tenants have paused or slowed expansion plans.

Despite this, no formal changes to the redevelopment plans have been filed, and Greek Real Estate has not provided updated timelines or next steps.

Community Voices Concerns Over Communication

The original plan to implode the remaining Nabisco tower was scrapped after residents voiced concerns about the release of asbestos and other contaminants. A petition was circulated, and residents asked for additional testing. Since then, the company has opted for a non-explosive demolition method.

Still, residents continue to express frustration over the lack of transparency and inconsistent updates.

What’s Next for the Nabisco Site?

As demolition continues, the future of the site — once home to one of Fair Lawn’s most recognizable landmarks — remains up in the air. Will it be a massive logistics hub? Something entirely different? Or will it sit empty for months to come?

Stay tuned for updates as Fair Lawn officials and Greek Real Estate Partners decide the fate of this 40-acre property that once filled the air with the scent of cookies — and now leaves the community with more questions than answers.

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