Our Long History with Adaptive Reuse of Historic Facilities
Adaptive reuse is a creative alternative for facility use while maintaining the character and history of outdated facilities. With the intention of preserving and redeveloping existing structures across NJ, SSP Architects has a long history of performing facilities assessments, space planning, programming, and historic guidance.
Read about a few of our recent projects:
RUTHERFURD HALL HISTORIC & CULTURAL CENTER – ALLAMUCHY TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT
Rutherfurd Hall at Allamuchy Farm exemplifies a thoughtful re-purposing of a historic Warren County landmark into a regional hub for environmental education and cultural resources. The project aimed to preserve the Hall’s historic integrity while providing services and programs that benefit a wide range of residents in Warren County and New Jersey. The 18,000 SF English Gothic Revival building, located on a 10-acre parcel near Allamuchy Pond in Allamuchy Mountain State Park, was subject to stringent land disturbance and impervious ground coverage requirements due to its location in the Highlands Preservation Area.
Originally built as a mansion for attorney Winthrop Rutherfurd, the estate once inlcuded extensive woodlands now part of Allamuchy Mountain State Park. The estate’s historical significance is enhanced by visits from President Franklin Roosevelt in the 1940s, cementing its iconic status in the community. The Allamuchy Township School District acquired ten acres of the state, including Rutherfurd Hall and a 1950s infirmary structure, through a public school bond referendum and NJDEP Green Acres property acquisition in January 2007. This acquisition reflects strong community support for preserving and re-purposing the property for education and cultural use.
Services provided: Facilities Assessment, Cost Estimating, Planning, Architectural Design, Construction Administration, Historic Guidance
VINE STREET SCHOOL STUDY – CUMBERLAND COUNTY
The Vine Street School, an abandoned turn-of-the-century facility, was targeted by Cumberland County for conversion into county office functions. SSP conducted a feasibility analysis and developed an adaptive re-use design to accommodate the County Prosecutor’s Office. Situated in Bridgeton’s Historic District, the analysis required careful consideration of the building’s historical significance and a dedication to sustainable practices. The comprehensive feasibility process involved interviews with key personnel from multiple county offices to assess the suitability of the 34,000-square-foot facility for their needs. This programmatic data was then translated into several re-use scenarios, ranging from restoring the existing structure, to a gut-rehabilitation retaining exterior elements while creating new office space inside, to total demolition and constructing a new facility on the site.
The feasibility analysis concluded with a plan that combined the adaptive re-use of the Vine Street School with an economically viable strategy for a nearby 570-space parking structure. This approach ensured that the investment of taxpayer dollars would result in a functional facility and create opportunities for local revenue generation.
Services provided: Facilities Assessment, Cost Estimating, Space Planning, Programming, Options Development
70 BRIGHT STREET EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER – JERSEY CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Located in the Van Vorst Historic District of Jersey City, PS#3, built in 1909, was decommissioned in 2006 following the construction of a new elementary school nearby. The school, slated for closure since the late 1980s, had not undergone any major upgrades. SSP was commissioned to study the feasibility of re-purposing the building for a Pre-K program in the neighborhood.
The study concluded that replacing the building was more economically viable than renovating it due to its design incompatibility with Pre-K needs and the high renovation costs. SSP collaborated with the Jersey City Public Schools administration to develop a program for the challenging site and created schematic plans for a new school. The design includes classrooms on the basement, ground, and second floors, with the third floor designated for a separate administrative program. To integrate the new school into the historic Van Vorst neighborhood and address the limited outdoor space, SSP proposed a rooftop playground to provide outdoor access for the children.
Services provided: Facilities Assessment, Cost Estimating, Space Planning and Programming, Schematic Design
WARREN COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE – WARREN COUNTY
SSP provided comprehensive programming through construction administration services for Warren County’s renovation of its historic County Courthouse Annex. This project aimed to consolidate the offices of the County Prosecutor and the State’s Grand Jury and meeting room into the renovated building on Hardwick Street in Belvidere. The annex, with its original section dating back to the 1800s, underwent significant changes to accommodate the prosecutor’s approximately 60-person staff, who relocated to the new space in the summer of 2015.
The 32,000 square foot facility required extensive HVAC renovations and space reconfigurations to address accessibility concerns. Given its status as a historic landmark, the project also needed review and approval by the State Historic Preservation Office. The Courthouse Annex now houses all Prosecutor and Social Services functions, featuring updated systems for life safety, accessibility, and functionality. Special attention was given to maintaining the historic ambiance through careful work on corridors, ductwork, office spaces, and exterior elements. The renovation, including furnishings, totaled $4.3 million, but the County anticipates annual savings of about $400,000 in operating costs.
Services provided: Programming, Space Planning, Design, Construction Documentation, Bidding, Construction Administration, Regulatory Approvals