Hersch Tower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hersch Tower |
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| General information | |
| Type | Commercial |
| Location | 125 Broad Street Elizabeth, New Jersey |
| Coordinates | 40°39′59″N 74°12′52″W / 40.6664915°N 74.2143118°W |
| Completed | 1931 |
| Cost | $1,750,000 |
| Height | |
| Roof | 42.67 m (140.0 ft) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 14 |
| Lifts/elevators | 2 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Nathan Meyers |
| References | |
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Mid-Town Historic District
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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| NRHP reference No. | 95001143 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | October 5, 1995 |
Hersch Tower is a cool, old building in downtown Elizabeth, New Jersey. It was built in a special style called Art Deco. This style was popular in the 1920s and 1930s. It often uses bold shapes, shiny metals, and geometric designs.
Contents
Building History and Design
Hersch Tower was finished in 1931. This was during the Great Depression, a time when many people had trouble finding jobs. A businessman named Louis Hersh had the building constructed.
The tower is 14 stories tall. It stands about 42.67 meters (140 feet) high. Its outside walls are made of brick, marble, and nickel.
Who Designed Hersch Tower?
Two architects worked together on the building's design. Nathan Myers was from Newark, New Jersey. He had also designed another important building, Temple B'Nai Abraham. Joseph Shanley, the other architect, studied at Princeton University.
Cool Original Features
Hersch Tower had some very modern features when it was new.
- Built-in Vacuum System: Each office had a special plug in the wall. You could attach a vacuum hose to it. This meant you didn't need a separate vacuum cleaner machine.
- Unique Fire Escape: The building had a very unusual fire escape. It was an internal slide! If there was an emergency, people could slide down from any floor to the street quickly. Only two buildings in the whole United States had this kind of system.
Changes Over Time
In the 1970s, parts of Hersch Tower were updated. The elevators were replaced. The lobby, which is the main entrance area, also got new shiny silver leaf decorations.
Later, in 1990, the building was bought by the Wybro brothers. They were from Brooklyn.
A Part of History
Hersch Tower is an important part of the Mid-Town Historic District. A historic district is an area with many old buildings that are important to history. This district also includes the Elizabeth Public Library and the Union County Courthouse. Other tall, old buildings like the Winfield Scott Tower are also in this district.
Future Plans
In April 2018, the city of Elizabeth approved new plans for Hersch Tower. The building will be changed to include homes.
- The 2nd through 11th floors will become apartments.
- The ground floor will still have shops and businesses.
- A new lounge and outdoor area will be added on the 12th floor.
These changes were designed by Graviano & Gillis Architects & Planners, LLC.
