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| Brownstones in Jersey City |
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Historic buildings sometimes outlive their original purposes. Schools, train stations, churches and factories have met this fate. When these once vital places in the community become abandoned, they are often viewed as eyesores fit for the wrecking ball. It takes people with creative vision to see new life in the crumbling bricks and mortar.
Adaptive reuse is a process that modifies existing buildings for new purposes while maintaining their historic features. Most older buildings have great potential for adaptation to a different use. Old churches may find new life as bookstores or dance studios. A high school can be turned into senior housing. A fire station into a neighborhood arts center.
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| The Victor Building Lobby |
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One of the most famous examples of adaptive reuse is the Gallery of Modern Art for the Tate Museum in London. This former power plant on the Thames River was shut down in 1981. The new glass ceiling and extensive art galleries stand in dynamic and energizing contrast to the carefully preserved historic fabric of the original building. The prominent location offers outstanding views of the city.
Adaptive reuse is a very green way of thinking. It minimizes the destruction of abandoned buildings and reduces the amount of demolition debris going into landfills. Adaptive reuse gives builders the chance to recycle a structure by keeping it in use. This also saves its historic character. The building regains its vitality and the community benefits by having a sustainable structure that contributes to maintaining the town’s sense of place.
After many years of protecting travelers, the massive stone train station in Lambertville outlived the railroad it served. Built in 1867, the station was created by Thomas Ustick Walter, the architect who also designed the Dome of the U.S. Capital in Washington, D.C. In the 1970’s, the building sat empty and neglected until a group of young visionaries realized its hidden potential and transformed it into the Lambertville Station restaurant.
Inventive developers play an essential part in saving the historic fabric of our cities. In Camden, only three buildings survive from the vast RCA/Victor Talking Machine Company. It started in 1901 with one small shop and grew into a major complex consisting of 31 buildings with a total of 2.5 million square feet of factory space. Here, ground breaking innovations in sound recording, radio and television took place. Developer Carl Dranoff transformed one of the remaining factory buildings into upscale apartments. Now the renovated Victor is once again a landmark on the Camden waterfront.
A small scale renovation has had a great impact on a local church in Newark saved from abandonment. Saint Joseph’s gained new life through the creative vision of Monsignor William Linder. He founded one of the largest community development corporations in the United States as a means to help revitalize Newark after the devastating riots of the 1960s. New Community transformed the empty church, into restaurants and office space for its corporate headquarters. Now St. Joseph Plaza is once again a thriving part of the city and features live jazz performances and art shows.
In Jersey City, the positive effects generated from historic preservation and adaptive reuse can be found everywhere. Empty warehouses have been converted into popular living spaces. Brownstones, that sat vacant for years, are now in high demand. Under renovation is one of the largest adaptive reuse projects in the United States. Originally built as a Medical Center, this complex of 10 art deco high rises now shines forth as the newly created “Beacon.”
Teams of craftspeople and construction workers are renovating the buildings and restoring them to their former 1930s glory, while also adding 21st century comforts. This new residential community is bringing an abandoned part of the city back to life.
Some people think that adaptive reuse will become more prevalent than new construction. They believe that reusing existing buildings and infrastructure is the way of the future.
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