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completed

september 2022

responsibilities

architecture, interior & landscape design

programme

16 floors, 221 rooms

location

newark, us

This innovative residential project, transforms a historic Art Deco building from a windowless storage tower into a vibrant community with 221 apartments and communal spaces. Concrete successfully revitalized the iconic Newark building through adaptive reuse, ensuring the preservation of its historical significance while transforming it into a modern and thriving community of residents.
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revitalizing the iconic newark building through adaptive reuse, ensuring the preservation of its historical significance

The building's exterior showcases a captivating contrast between two distinct blocks: a sleek vertical tower and a U-shaped brick, low-rise structure. The vertical tower is characterized by a modern feel, clad with corrugated metal aluminum and striking golden aluminum panels in the center. In contrast, the low-rise structure’s brick façade retains the heritage of the original Art Deco façade. The tower houses the residences, while the horizontal block hosts amenities and more residences in a new built on top of the brick structure.

01 Urby Newark photographer Robert Tsai

connecting buildings and neighborhoods

A key innovation in the new design involved integrating the neighboring building into the project and moving the main entrance to the opening with the finest façade decoration. This solution contributes to unifying the newly added section of the neighboring building to the ensemble, resulting in a cohesive building. Located on the most prominent street corner, a café with terrace welcomes the neighborhood, promoting interaction between residents and the local community.

the cohesive design forms the heart of communal areas

The horizontal block and the main entrance are seamlessly connected to the tower via a path with abundant natural light and luscious greenery. This way, the two structures are made into a cohesive whole. The path is encompassed within a beautiful garden. This urban oasis invites residents to pause and mingle in the garden every time they enter the building. Moreover, residents can enjoy the outdoors on the roof deck, complete with BBQ pits, or utilize the amenities such as gym and garden room.

04 Urby Newark photographer Robert Tsai
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08 Urby Newark photographer Robert Tsai
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12 Urby Newark photographer Robert Tsai
11 Urby Newark photographer Robert Tsai
07 Urby Newark photographer Robert Tsai
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10 Urby Newark photographer Robert Tsai
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"newark urby is not just a residence; it's a vibrant community where modern living meets historical charm, creating a truly unique and connected living experience for all"

erikjan vermeulen, concrete

light-filled apartments with smart layouts

The apartments are designed to maximize space and light. Throughout the entire building, old and new features come together effortlessly, blending modernity with history. The original concrete ceilings, left exposed for authenticity, mix well with newly added furniture, walls, and floors, giving the living spaces a distinctive and stylish feel.

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material evolution

Furthermore, as a homage to the original façade of the low-rise structure, the architects chose to use bricks for the exterior, yet with a more minimalist and modern interpretation. The original brick pattern has been meticulously replicated in the new facade. Contrasting brown and yellow brickwork, relief masonry around the main entrance, and window frames faithfully echo the original design, preserving the historical integrity of the site. The beautiful Art Deco entrance is enhanced with a contemporary blue box, effectively marking the entry point for both residents and the local community.

05 Urby Newark photographer Robert Tsai
03 Urby Newark photographer Robert Tsai

preserving newark's history through adaptive reuse

Revitalizing the iconic Newark building through adaptive reuse, ensuring the preservation of its historical significance.

Originally, the building was designed as a fully automated car park, a groundbreaking innovation first appearing in North America during the 1920s. The iconic building stands as a recognizable landmark in Newark’s skyline, so much that it used to be the logo of a moving company that utilized the building for storage, after it was a car park.

Kent Garage Hotel for Autos
155 Washington St Federal Storage 003
155 Washington St Federal Storage 002
View newark screen shot tuned

facts & figures

total area 20.405 sqm
duration construction 2.5 years
amenities communal garden, roof deck, coworking lounge, gym & indoor garden room 

concrete

responsibilities architecture, interior & landscape design
team erikjan vermeulen, tobias koch, debbie van dijk, matthijs hombergen, margaux platenburg

partners & collaborators

executive architect inglese architecture + engineering, us
general contractor l&m development partners, us
landcape designer bas smets, be & jaemee studio, nj
café design sarita posada, us

awards

inside awards winner residential
ait awards winner future living
nycxdesign awards winner multi unit residential
architizer a+awards winner architecture+living
americanhort plantscape awards winner interior plantscape