Samsung Electronics America has opened its new 325,000-square-foot headquarters at 700 Sylvan Ave. in Englewood Cliffs, backfilling the former Unilever U.S. corporate office. — Images courtesy: Samsung
By Marlaina Cockcroft
Samsung Electronics America’s expansive new headquarters isn’t just a successful move for the global electronics giant. It’s also a win for Englewood Cliffs, which acted quickly to lure the company to the space vacated by Unilever.
Intashan Chowdhury, the borough administrator, said as much at the Sept. 22 grand opening of Samsung’s campus at 700 Sylvan Ave.
“This is more than just a headquarters,” he said. “It’s an anchor that boosts our local economy, stabilizes our tax base, creates employment opportunities for residents right here in our borough. … But, more importantly, it advances our vision for a smart, innovative and technologically driven community.”
As Chowdhury and Councilman Tim Koutroubas later explained, bringing Samsung to Englewood Cliffs was a combination of advocacy, available space and business-friendly policies. Koutroubas said Mayor Mark Park and his administration “worked very hard to advocate and secure this deal” after the company in 2024 made plans to leave its 325,000-square-foot space at 65 Challenger Road in Ridgefield Park, its home of more than 30 years, with Unilever set to depart Englewood Cliffs for Hoboken. The borough ultimately “outpaced Jersey City, Hoboken and other competitors,” Koutroubas said, while the company reportedly also considered other Bergen County locations such as the Montvale and Teaneck areas.
Samsung was attracted to Englewood Cliffs by its proximity to New York City and its value improvement ordinance, which provided tax abatements for internal improvements and cosmetic upgrades to the exterior of the 325,000-square-foot building, he said. Borough officials also approved permits in less than a week, accommodating Samsung’s move-in schedule “at breakneck speed.” And, at the company’s request, the town added a bus stop for employees.
SLIDESHOW: Samsung's new headquarters
It’s no surprise, then, that Samsung offered similar praise for the local government.
“It is the people and places where we do business that make our success possible,” CEO and President Yoonie Joung said at the September event, adding that the campus “blends innovation, sustainability and community engagement” for the next era. He also said the company has been proud to call New Jersey home for the past 40 years, with more than 460,000 square feet of managed space across five locations.
Samsung fits into borough leaders’ plans for the future. Koutroubas said Englewood Cliffs is becoming “a hub for tech companies. We now have Samsung, we have LG, we have CNBC … And we’re known for forward-thinking leadership, and we value corporate partnerships.”
Joung, meantime, said Samsung employees volunteer with area nonprofits, while residents of neighboring communities will receive discounts on products.
“Moving into our new home isn’t just about those inside,” he said. “It’s also about the community around you. … It is important that we drive strong relationships with Englewood Cliffs and the surrounding communities.”
Additionally, Samsung will continue to educate the next generation in science, technology and engineering. Mark Newton, its head of corporate sustainability, said the Solve for Tomorrow program, in which students learn to use technology to solve problems, has worked with millions of students in 45 countries over 15 years.
Allison Stransky, chief marketing officer, said: “The recommendations, ideas the students have come up with have gotten better and better year over year. And now they’re incorporating AI and machine learning technologies.” This year, Samsung is pairing students from last year’s program with Samsung engineers to bring their products to creation, she said.
In addition to amenities for its 1,200 employees, including a fitness center, game room and outdoor walking path, the campus features a showcase and testing lab. The Connected Experience Center puts 3D monitors, programmable lighting and other products on display in simulated home and B2B settings, allowing customers and business partners to see them in action.
The center is helpful for employees as well, said Aakash Bhatt, Samsung marketing manager. They can “use these devices in an actual environment, because obviously we don’t always get to use them in a home kind of setup.” The center uses public WiFi, and they ensure everything is compatible with third-party products, he said.
Unilever had renovated the building in 2018, adding high-tech and wellness elements. While Samsung made changes before moving in, they were minimal, Newton said. “Unilever just did a fantastic job. Very thoughtful design.”
The campus will help Samsung achieve its sustainability goals, he added. It’s aiming for the equipment business to be net zero when it comes to greenhouse gases by 2030 and the semiconductor business by 2050. “One of the ways we’re going to drive that is renewable energy.”
To that end, the building is covered with solar panels, and Samsung will increase the number of electric vehicle chargers on campus. A food services unit provides reusable plates and utensils, and a composting system is underway.
Next, Newton said, since Samsung has closed its flagship Experience Center in New York, it plans to modify the open space on Sylvan Avenue to hold company events.
Political leaders who attended the grand opening — including Acting Gov. Tahesha Way, U.S. Sen. Andy Kim, Rep. Josh Gottheimer, Rep. Rob Menendez and state Assemblywoman Ellen Park — called Samsung’s presence key to greater innovation in the state.
“New Jersey has long been a beacon of innovation and forward-thinking partnerships, and today’s event is a symbol of our ability to collaborate across business and government,” Way said.
Kim, who noted his family also came to New Jersey 40 years ago seeking better opportunities, said New Jersey is “a state where innovation is at our founding roots: a state that gave rise to Edison, gave rise to Einstein, gave rise to this incredible workforce that we see across our entire state. … This building is a symbol and a testament to the extraordinary growth of Samsung.”
Marlaina Cockcroft is a freelance writer based in New Jersey.
