1,100 Employees Of Major Company Move To Hoboken Waterfront Complex

HOBOKEN, NJ — Unilever makes products that people use every day — from Dove soap to Hellmann's Mayonnaise — and now they'll spend time working on them in Hoboken.

The company had spent decades at a facility in Englewood Cliffs, in Bergen County.

But the last week in April, most of the staff moved into the waterfront office complex, and they held a formal celebration this past Thursday.

The event included speeches from Gov. Phil Murphy, Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla, and more.

The company — which specializes in both food and household products — said they'll keep a few hundred research and development employees at the Englewood Cliffs site.

They made the move because the way they work is changing, they said, and post-covid, the Hoboken waterfront towers were better situated to meet their needs.

Families Moving Too?

The proximity of the waterfront complex to Hoboken's ferries and train terminal — it's a walk of three blocks — was a plus, said a spokesperson.

Many of the employees who live in Bergen County, Jersey City, or Manhattan can take a train to Hoboken. Those in Manhattan can also take a NY Waterway ferry.

The company said they didn't expect many people to move their families based on the location change.

"Roughly 50 percent of the Unilever US employee population based in this office currently lives in the Hoboken, Jersey City or New York City area," said spokesperson Nate Barney, "and most employees are taking advantage of public transportation options, given the office’s proximity to the train stations."

The building also has a parking garage. It also has a cafeteria used by companies in the building including Wiley and Unilever.

The new offices span 111,000 square feet across three newly designed floors, the company said.

"The move comes as part of Unilever’s broader effort to enhance collaboration, support hybrid work models, and foster an environment where innovation thrives," said a release.

"We are proud to officially celebrate our new home in Hoboken," said Herrish Patel, President of Unilever USA and CEO of Personal Care North America. “This is a monumental milestone for Unilever USA, and this state-of-the-art workplace supports modern ways of working, while bringing people together in a way that is dynamic and inspires creativity. The design supports the innovation and energy behind Unilever’s largest market and one of the key anchor markets for future growth for the company globally.”

The company touted these features of the new space:

• A state-of-the-art, professional kitchen for Unilever Food Solutions, where chefs craft recipes using iconic brands such as Knorr and Hellmann’s, reimagining mealtime for millions and aiming to spark a new love for good food across the country.
• A full-service salon where science, brands, and real-life use cases come together. Powered by beloved Beauty & Wellbeing brands like Dove, TRESemmé, and Nexxus, this is where Unilever’s innovation comes to life—offering a dynamic space for discovery and firsthand experiences by employees and customers that help shape the future of beauty.

  Key design elements that create a supportive, inspiring, and welcoming working environment, including biophilic design to maximize access to daylight, wellness spaces, and mothers’ rooms.

• Sweeping views of Manhattan as a daily backdrop from all three floors, with business unit spaces on floors seven and eight designed for optimal hybrid collaboration.
• A town hall and multipurpose event space located on the penthouse level, which provides a forum that inspires unity, celebration, and fosters community among Unilever teams and partners.
• Dynamic collaboration zones, cutting-edge meeting technology, and immersive innovation hubs for live collaboration and demonstrations, supporting the way people work today.
• Design elements infused with the spirit of Unilever’s brands and corporate ethos
• LED lighting, energy efficient HVAC systems, and low-flow water fixtures to reduce energy and water consumption.

“Our goal was to design a space that not only reflects Unilever’s values but empowers people to do their best work,” said Nate Barney, head of Global Workplace Service for Unilever. “From natural light and open floor plans to versatile spaces for collaboration and wellness, every detail was considered to create a modern workplace that fosters community and innovation.”

In addition to the new headquarters in Hoboken, Unilever has Research & Development facilities in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, and Trumbull, Connecticut and 10 factories manufacturing its products.

Steven Pozycki, the CEO of SJP Properties, which built the complex, said, "SJP Properties is proud to welcome Unilever’s U.S. Headquarters to 111 River Street. Hoboken is now the preferred North American office destination for global consumer brands due to its access to multiple modes of public transportation, proximity to New York City and three international airports, as well as a highly educated professional workforce."

He said that other companies at the Waterfront Corporate Center include Lipton, Walmart, and Newell Brands.

He added, "To bring Unilever to Hoboken, we assembled a complex multiparty transaction, which included a custom buildout by SJP Project Solutions. The deal won the 2025 NAIOP New Jersey Deal of the Year. We are confident that Unilever will thrive in its new facility.”