Perry and Gladys Rosenstein of the Puffin Foundation announced Thursday night that they will donate $500,000 to build a cultural arts center at the abandoned Givaudan building on Windsor Road. The donation hinges on the ability to raise additional money and acquire the space.

"We will donate the money provided the town comes up with a substantial amount as well so that they will own this building and we will have money for operating expenses as well to hire a cultural director," said Puffin Foundation President Perry Rosenstein.

The announcement came as the two were honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Teaneck Chamber of Commerce 9th Annual Community Service Awards Thursday night.

Although there is a current bid on the Givaudan building at 1775 Windsor Road, it is expected to fall through.  Chamber of Commerce President Larry Bauer said he would approach the broker to see if the building could be acquired.

"This is good seed money and I somehow suspect if its properly approached businesses will get involved," Bauer said.

"The commitment for an arts center has been a dream of ours since we have been here in Teaneck and we have tried over the years to find places that would be worthwhile," said Gladys Rosenstein, executive director of the Puffin Foundation.

Specific costs remained unclear Thursday night as the decision had just been made.

A Givaudan company spokesman and representatives of the real estate firm selling the property did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

The site of the proposed cultural center was built in 1972 and designed by architect Der Scutt, who also designed Trump Tower.  According to a 1998 Fast Company article, the building featured a Zen garden and was home Givaudan's fragrance laboratory. 

Today, the Givaudan sign has been covered with a blue tarp and a large "For Sale" sign faces traffic on Windsor Road.  Plans for the site were not immediately known.

Noah Cohen contributed to this report