You could pay a visit to the City that Never Sleeps, but why not take a step off the beaten path and check out the architectural treasures hidden in New Jersey? As any Jersey native will tell you, this state can more than hold a candle to the Big Apple. Here are four must-see spots that prove it.
1. Stuart Richardson House, Glen Ridge
The Stuart Richardson House was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1941. It’s a classic example of a Usonian house, Wright’s term for an all-encompassing master plan for the American landscape. Usonian houses aren’t well-known but had a deep impact on the design of American single-family homes.
This floor plan is one of the few that Wright designed on a hexagonal module, which means all angles in the house are at 60 or 120 degrees. It has no basement, attic, or garage and features extensive swathes of glass doors to balance the brick and cypress.
2. Landis Theater, Vineland
Designed by William H. Lee in 1937, the Landis Theater in Vineland is one of the best examples of Art Moderne architecture still standing in New Jersey.
You’ll notice the streamlined design in conjunction with Lee’s use of color. The theater features a combination of black Carrera glass, stainless steel, and glass block. The use of glass brick is a distinctive Art Moderne feature.
Perhaps one of the most exciting parts about the whimsical design is it retains most of its original features, so visitors can step into a night at the movies in the late 1930s.
3. The Capitol Complex, Trenton
The Capitol Complex in Trenton has the honor of being the second-oldest state capital in continuous use.
The Governor’s Wing is the only remaining original segment, as the building underwent extensive renovations in the 19th century. In fact, many current design features were added during the turn of the 20th century.
However, the building retains much of its old-style charm. The front facade was designed in 1895, and other sections were designed to match.
4. Hoboken Terminal, Hoboken
Usually, you only pay attention to a train station to check your terminal number. Hoboken Terminal invites you to stay a while.
The Hoboken Terminal is the last of the great Hudson River train stations still serving its original function. It was designed by Kenneth M. Murchison in the Beaux Arts style. Luckily for modern visitors, the station was restored in the 1980s to its original design.
One of the most distinctive features of Hoboken Terminal is the copper-adorned facade (made from copper left over from the Statue of Liberty). Murchison’s original design featured a Tiffany glass ceiling 50 feet above the main waiting room, with Greek Revival motifs on the main concourse.
Plus, if you want to make use of this station for your travel needs, it’s easy to visit if you book a hotel in nearby Lyndhurst.
From the fun of the Landis Theater to the classic Beaux Arts design of the Hoboken Terminal, there’s a whole world waiting for you in the Garden State. And if you’ve had the pleasure of visiting any of these sites, let us know what you thought of them in the comments.