Hersch Tower

Hersch Tower is a historic Art Deco building in midtown Elizabeth, New Jersey.

Hersch Tower
General information
TypeCommercial
Location125 Broad Street
Elizabeth, New Jersey
Coordinates40.6664915°N 74.2143118°W / 40.6664915; -74.2143118
Completed1931
Cost$1,750,000[1]
Height
Roof42.67 m (140.0 ft)
Technical details
Floor count14
Lifts/elevators2
Design and construction
ArchitectNathan Meyers
References
[2]
Mid-Town Historic District
NRHP reference No.95001143
NJRHP No.2665[3]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPOctober 5, 1995
Designated NJRHPSeptember 29, 1994

Constructed during the Great Depression with a façade of brick, marble and nickel in 1931 by businessman Louis Hersh, the tower is 14 stories and 42.67 m (140.0 ft) tall.[4] The Newark architect, Nathan Myers (who had designed Temple B'Nai Abraham on Clinton Avenue in that city) and Princeton-trained Joseph Shanley designed and planned the building. It originally had self-contained vacuum system, where each unit had a wall receptacle to which one attached a vacuum hose and proceeded without additional machinery.The building also sported a fire escape system – only two of which existed in the US – in which an internal slide would pass tenants from any floor to the street swiftly in case of an emergency.[5]

During the 1970s the building was partially renovated including replacement of the elevators and silver leaf in the lobby.[5] It went into foreclosure and was purchased in 1990 by the Brooklyn-based Wybro brothers.[6]

Hersch Tower is contributing property to the Mid-Town Historic District which also includes the Elizabeth Public Library and the Union County Courthouse.[3][7] and other early high-rises, the Winfield Scott Tower and the Afbender Building.[2]

In April 2018, the building received approval from the City of Elizabeth Planning Board to convert the 2nd through 11th Floors to residential dwelling units. Retail and commercial uses will occupy the ground floor and a rooftop lounge and deck is proposed on the 12th floor. The building modifications were designed by Graviano & Gillis Architects & Planners, LLC.[8]

See also

References
  1. "Elizabeth through the Ages". Elizabeth Historical Society. Retrieved 2014-09-18.
  2. "Elizabeth". Emporis. Retrieved 2014-10-06.
  3. "New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places - Union County". New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection - Historic Preservation Office. Retrieved 2014-10-06.
  4. "Hersch Tower". Emporis. Retrieved 2014-10-08.
  5. "The Elizabeth Forum". Elizabeth Historical Society. 2014. Retrieved 2014-09-18.
  6. Goodnough, Abby (August 6, 1995). "In Elizabeth, Dusting Off an Art Deco Treasure". The New York Times. Retrieved 2014-10-08.
  7. "Midtown & More". City of Elizabeth. Retrieved 2014-10-06.
  8. https://jerseydigs.com/93-apartments-in-historic-midtown-tower-125-broad-street-elizabeth/
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