the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hackensack NJ, a new chapter is underway for one of Hackensack’s most iconic landmarks. The City Council has approved a redevelopment plan for the historic Sears building at 436 Main Street, ending years of legal battles and paving the way for a vibrant new mixed-use development that will preserve the site’s rich architectural legacy.
🏛️ A Legacy of Art Deco Architecture Meets Modern Urban Design
Built in 1932, the original Sears Roebuck & Co. building features a striking art deco façade and a 105-foot tower that have made it a standout in downtown Hackensack for over 90 years. While the department store closed in 2020, the building has remained vacant, boarded up, and frequently used for illegal parking and dumping.
But under the city’s newly approved redevelopment plan, the historic structure will be preserved and incorporated into a six-story, 325-unit residential and retail complex, led by Russo Development, the team behind the nearby Print House project on River Street.
⚖️ Years of Legal Disputes Finally Resolved
The path to revitalization wasn’t without roadblocks. After Transform Holdco LLC (the company that acquired Sears Holdings’ assets in 2019) challenged Hackensack’s plans in 2022, claiming the site was unfairly “downzoned,” a settlement was reached in early 2023.
However, new lawsuits emerged in September 2024 from Arcolo Hackensack LLC and related property owners who alleged that the settlement with Transform was made without their input.
Despite the setbacks, the Hackensack City Council voted in March 2024 to condemn the property, allowing the project to move forward in the public interest.
🏢 What’s Included in the Redevelopment Plan?
The city’s approved plan includes the following features:
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Preservation of the original 1932 Sears building façade and iconic tower
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Demolition of later additions to the original structure
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Construction of a six-story mixed-use development
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Up to 325 residential units
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At least 12,000 square feet of ground-floor retail
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Restoration of street-facing windows and entrances on Main Street
Albert Dib, Hackensack’s director of redevelopment, explained that previously bricked-up windows and doorways will be restored to their original design, reconnecting the building to the pedestrian-friendly Main Street corridor.
“All that had been bricked over or enclosed will be brought back to its original glory,” said Dib. “The design will once again interact with Main Street.”
While the tower’s interior function remains undecided, it currently houses mechanical systems and will be evaluated further in detailed development plans.
🏙️ A Broader Push for Preservation in Hackensack
The Sears building is just one of several historic preservation success stories in Hackensack’s downtown revitalization. Recent adaptive reuse projects include:
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The Hackensack Performing Arts Center, a transformation of a 140-year-old Masonic temple
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A former 10-story bank on Main Street converted into a residential building with a ground-floor restaurant
These projects support the city’s ongoing effort to blend historic charm with modern urban living, as outlined in Hackensack’s Downtown Redevelopment Plan.
“One of the goals is to preserve a sense of place,” said Dib. “This building is part of the fabric of downtown Hackensack and should be preserved while fulfilling housing and retail needs.”
📆 What’s Next?
A more detailed architectural and site plan will go before the Hackensack Planning Board for final approval in the coming months. Once approved, construction can begin—signaling a transformative moment for Main Street and the entire city.
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