Architecture

The Heights neighborhood of Jersey City was a German enclave from the middle of the 19th century until World War I. Prosperous citizens, often of German descent, built the biggest and best houses on Summit Avenue and Sherman Place. Today, in the ongoing preservation conversation, we feature four of these well-preserved homes.

Towering over Jersey City’s Hilltop neighborhood, the Hudson County Courthouse is a building many locals hope they never have to enter. But the hulking Beaux-Arts structure isn’t just home to plaintiffs and defendants; it’s a reminder of the city’s past and a symbol of what can happen when historical preservation is done right.

In honor of Newark’s 350th Anniversary, The College of Architecture and Design at NJIT will host an famed architect Richard Meier. The exhibit, titled “Richard Meier – Newark Architect and Artist” will display works from Meier’s extensive career in the design disciplines of architecture, painting, collage, sculpture and product design.

We interviewed award-winning architectural designer Janine Glatt whose designs have been featured in Cottages & Bungalows magazine and Design New Jersey. The small firm integrates spaces in an organic, minimalist way with each project's unique site and function as a guide.

Under new ownership, the Silk Mill Lofts complex in Union City will see a multi-million dollar capital improvement project that hopes to further establish the complex as an urban arts center.

For all of its history, Jersey City has been a conduit for transport between NYC and the rest of the country. Over time, the logistics of transportation has changed leaving artifacts of a bygone era all over the city. Now the long forgotten Bergen Arches are the subject of a proposed community-based redevelopment project led by local residents and activists.

The city of Newark was founded in 1666, making it one of the first five New Jersey settlements alongside Burlington, Jersey City, Swedesboro & Piscatawaytown. This year Newark celebrates its 350th anniversary and to commemorate this historic date, the Newark Public Library is hosting an exhibition entitled Every Block in Newark about its urban planning history.

After years of plans, designs, false starts and a few broken hearts, the long-vacant lot at One Journal Square has both a reputable developer and an approved, supersized plan, plus another approved project across the street at an iconic building for good measure.

When it comes to energy efficiency, large windows don’t typically come to mind. Windows are one of the weakest areas of the average home. So how do you reconcile energy efficiency with the desire to have large windows when planning a passive project? Let’s find out.

Poskanzer Skott Architects’ design for Embankment House enhances the architectural diversity that defines Jersey City’s Hamilton Park. Situated on an old railroad embankment that fronts 10th Street, the 163-unit multifamily development’s new construction complements the neighborhood while preserving a bit of local history.