Secaucus Police Search Abandoned Hotel Amidst Reports Of Squatters Living There

SECAUCUS, NJ — Earlier this month, we reported that a new owner has taken over the abandoned Empire hotel lease in Secaucus, and plans to reopen it as a hotel.

However, last Thursday morning, Oct. 19, Secaucus Police and Secaucus construction code official Carl Leppin entered the hotel and did a search, as there are reports from the public that homeless people are living there.

"There are people living in there," said one Secaucus resident who did not want to be named. "I see them coming out."

Mayor Mike Gonnelli said he's heard these rumors too, but nobody has been found inside the building. He confirmed that Leppin and Secaucus Police entered the building and searched all its floors and lobby space. They did not find anyone inside, said the mayor.

Gonnelli said Secaucus Police will continue to search the property at random and will be monitoring it daily.

The company that took over the lease is a West Orange-based company called Turtlebrook Investments, LLC. They signed a 15-year lease to renovate the building and turn it back into a hotel.

They operate 15 existing hotels.

New Company Takes Over Empire Hotel Lease; Will Make It A Hotel Again (Oct. 6)