NJPAC, Newark, Looking Good!

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NJPAC, Newark, in beautiful sunset light. ⇑

NJPAC, Newark, On A Sunny Fall Day. ⇑

As often as I am in downtown Newark, New Jersey, I enjoy taking a quick detour from my commute to walk past NJPAC (the New Jersey Performing Arts Center). If it is an especially beautiful or moody day, the photographer in me wants to see the NJPAC facade framed by a deep blue sunset or the soft glow of new snow. It is unquestionably the most beautiful building in downtown Newark and quite photogenic!

NJPAC, Newark, NJ. Interior View of Lobby. ⇑

These photos of NJPAC were captured on a variety of days ranging from fall to winter. The quality of light can change the personality and mood of the NJPAC’s facade as you will see in the various images I have captured so far. I am developing a personal project of capturing images of Newark’s greatest attractions for an web presentation to be premiered in time for Newark’s Branch Brook Park Cherry Blossom Festival in April. It should be lots of fun and a way of celebrating a city whose charms too often go unsung.

NJPAC, Newark, In Black & White. ⇑

The impact of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on the development of downtown Newark cannot be overestimated. It was constructed at a time when downtown Newark would ‘close shop’ at 5pm each weekday as downtown office workers fled the city. With the advent of NJPAC, downtown Newark as a community began its revitalization.

All development in Newark after the 1967 Newark riots had been closed commercial spaces that alienated the local community. The planning commission decided that the new center would be directly integrated into the city, encourage walking, and provide a plaza for the city. Previous redevelopment schemes in Newark had all involved skyways that connected all the main office buildings to Newark Penn Station above street level, further segregating the city. The master plan, executed by Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill consisted of plazas and pedestrian boulevards, joining major thoroughfares.

The next stage of downtown revitalization in downtown Newark will most likely begin in the shadow of NJPAC’s handsome facade. There are a host of empty but sound buildings and idle real estate just waiting to be developed into residential towers and retail shops. With an efficient commuting system that can whisk commuters into downtown New York City in less than twenty minutes, downtown Newark’s potential cannot be ignored. It will be interesting to see what the next stage of development will bring!

Donald Peterson