A project by Saddleback Real Estate Developers will bring 50,000 square feet of new warehouse space to a 9.47-acre site at 999 Willow Grove St. in Hackettstown. — Rendering courtesy: Saddleback Real Estate Developers
By Joshua Burd
Saddleback Real Estate Developers has started construction on a project that will bring 50,000 square feet of modern industrial space to the northern tip of Hackettstown.
The firm, which is based in Fairfield, said it broke ground recently at 999 Willow Grove St. after acquiring the 9.47-acre parcel in 2022. Its plans for the facility call for 32-foot ceiling heights and four loading docks, allowing for four separate units, noting that the existing site is flat and has substantial stormwater infrastructure.
Slated for completion next February, the building will be less than five miles from Interstate 80 and two miles from Route 46. Saddleback added that it will have parking for 75 cars and the possibility of outside storage on site.
“The town of Hackettstown has been very helpful in the process of bringing the project to this point,” said Terry Frassetto, a Saddleback owner. “We are thankful for their support as we continue expansion in Hackettstown. We have also acquired and renovated properties on West Stiger Street and Grand Avenue.”
The developer visited the site on June 19 to break ground, joining general contractor RC Andersen, Ben Horton Architecture & Design and others.
“RC Andersen is excited for the opportunity to partner with Saddleback Real Estate Developers on 999 Willow Grove,” said Neil Ascione, president of RC Andersen. “The Saddleback team has expertly navigated the project up to the point of this groundbreaking, and we’re thrilled to be able to take the reins from here to bring their vision to completion.”
The project will be the latest portfolio addition for Saddleback, which has improved more than 20 million square feet of industrial real estate and managed $3 billion in real estate transactions. The firm is also the largest private industrial developer in the Fairfield market.
“Saddleback’s growth west is a reflection of opportunity in the industrial and warehouse space,” said Sal Frassetto, a fellow Saddleback owner. “Hackettstown and the surrounding areas offer expansion potential to continue growing Saddleback’s portfolio of properties.”
Also in attendance at the groundbreaking were Saddleback’s Carmine Marabello, Gates Frassetto and Peter Feldman, brokers Robert Adams and Derek Gee of Garden State Realty, engineer Gabrielle Gornelli of Dresdner Robin, Gary Brozowski and Jonathan Atkinson of Kearny Bank, and Craig Davenport, Vince DeCaro and Gary Frasco of RC Andersen.
Benjamin Horton of Ben Horton Architecture & Design added: “This was one of the first projects I started working on with the Saddleback Real Estate Developers. I can see why they are so successful. They are a class act and I really enjoy working with their entire team. I’m sure their clients probably have the same experience. I wish them the best on this groundbreaking.”
