This building received my state's preservation award in 2004. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) , Historic Preservation Office and NJ Historic Sites Council presented awards recognizing the steadfast efforts of individuals, organizations and government agencies to preserve the State's valuable resources at the annual New Jersey Historic Preservation Awards Ceremony at the New Jersey State House Assembly Chambers, on May 1, 2004. Two days from now the 2011 awards will be presented. Its a pretty big deal for us in NJ as many of us continuously vote to legislate funds to protect our historic sites.
The Victor Talking Machine Company and its successor, the Radio Corporation of America were among a few select industrial giants that played importantly in the rise of Camden in the last Century. The “Nipper Building” is one of only four remaining buildings from the once expansive Camden Plant of the RCA Victor Company.
Utilizing the Investment Tax Credit, this 632,000 square foot structure was converted into a complex that features a mix of 341 one, two and three bedroom upscale loft apartments - complete with incredible views of the Philadelphia skyline, a 24 hour four star quality lobby with concierge, an exclusive 3 story rooftop fitness center, a well appointed club room, conference/media centers, a magnificently landscaped atrium featuring furnished terraces and decks and finally 25,000 square feet of on-site retail to serve both tenants and the surrounding community. The restoration was completed in August of 2003 at a cost of $65 million.
From my previous waymark:
"(open by appointment), 201 N. Front Street extends to the river and covers 10 acres with tall buildings of concrete and brick. The company is the world's largest producer of Phonographic records. Other products made by the 14,000 workers are radio and television equipment.
1n 1894 a customer came to the little general repair shop of Eldridge R. Johnson, bringing for repair one of the crude talking machines of the time. Johnson repaired it, studied it, changed it, and finally produced the first Victor talking machine. Leading singers and musicians were brought to Camden from all parts of the world to make flat disk records that Johnson substituted for cylinders. Johnson sold out in 1927 to a syndicate of New York bankers for $28,000,000 and retired. The company then merged with the Radio Corporation of America.
" --- New Jersey, a Guide to Its Present and Past, 1939; page 231-232
When I went to Rutgers in '86 I remember this part of town was horrible. These Nipper/RCA buildings were vacant and dilapidated. I actually went to class in one of the buildings. Over the next 20 or so years each building has been torn down to make way for progress, save this last standing vestige of a once mighty RCA empire.
The building is really impressive as it is huge. It overlooks the Delaware River and gives an awesome view of the Philadelphia City skyline. Campbell's Field (401 N. Delaware Avenue) is a 24 second walk away and the Adventure Aquarium is 250 feet away.
The most notable feature is the stained glass tower which sits 200 feet or so in the air, high atop Camden. I am not sure if it is undergoing renovation but side is missing a pane of glass and the other side (east end) is fully intact. I found an article HERE which speaks of NJEDA Environmental Remediation Grants to restore the building. The article states ""For decades the Nipper Building was an RCA manufacturing facility and a landmark in Camden," said Anthony R. Coscia, chairman of the NJEDA. "The building is famed for the stained glass window at the top depicting the old RCA logo of Nipper the dog listening to a phonograph". This grant is an important element in the decision to restore the Nipper Building and plans to convert it to condominiums as part of the revitalization of the Camden waterfront." (Source already referenced)
The posted coordinates are for the entrance which is on Market Street. The entrance is directly under the stained glass tower.
and from another one of my waymarks:
This last remaining Nipper Building has been completely rennovated and features a bar/cafe on its bottom floor as well as some businesses and has new condo units on the upper floors offering a great view of the Philadelphia skyline. This particular roadside attraction is as about roadside as one can get. Just look up and you will see it.
The stained glass tower rises a hundred feet or so in the air at the very front center of the building, high atop Camden. I am not sure if the stained glass is still undergoing renovation but the west side is missing a pane of glass and the other side (east end) is fully intact. Both of the stained glass depict Nipper peering into an old fashioned Victrola. Beneath this is the caption "His Master's Voice". They are beautiful and colorful and hopefully the west end Nipper will have its missing pane replaced.
I found an article HERE which speaks of NJEDA Environmental Remediation Grants to restore the building. The article states ""For decades the Nipper Building was an RCA manufacturing facility and a landmark in Camden," said Anthony R. Coscia, chairman of the NJEDA. "The building is famed for the stained glass window at the top depicting the old RCA logo of Nipper the dog listening to a phonograph". This grant is an important element in the decision to restore the Nipper Building and plans to convert it to condominiums as part of the revitalization of the Camden waterfront." (Source already referenced)
The posted coordinates are for the entrance which is on Market Street. The entrance is directly under the stained glass tower.