Robert Treat Center
Encyclopedia
The Robert Treat Center is an office and hotel complex in Newark, New Jersey
, named for Robert Treat
, who founded the city in 1666. One building originally opened as the Robert Treat Hotel in 1916. The landmark was later converted to an office building after the construction of newer hotel next to it. The adjacent buildings are located at Military Park
near the New Jersey Performing Arts Center
and New Jersey Historical Society
.
Among the first guests at the original hotel were President Woodrow Wilson
and Mrs. Wilson, who came to represent the national administration for the Newark Board of Trade annual dinner as part of the 250th anniversary of the city of Newark. The accommodations on the fifth would later be known as the "President's Suite". Designed by Guilbert and Betelle
in a Renaissance Revival style, the exterior features granite and cast stone at the base, with brick and terra cotta trim covering the upper stories. The hotel was intended to make use of every luxury and technology available at the time in the hotel industry and would be the very first of its kind in the city. Perhaps the most impressive structure of the original hotel was the lobby, where huge columns combined with intricate lighting features over a white marble steps, tile floors, and lavish rugs. There were plentiful lounge space, large palms and potted plants, and writing desks and tables on a balcony for afternoon tea. A portrait of Robert Treat was prominently placed over the fireplace mantle.
In 1964, the building converted into offices with the addition of the new Robert Treat Hotel next door, part of Best Western
.
In 1982, the Robert Treat Center was turned down for inclusion on the State and National Register of Historic Places because of significant alterations in the interior. The building was purchased in 1987 by The Berger Organization, which has also renovated some of the city's other commercial landmarks, such as the Fireman's Insurance Company Home Office Building and Military Park Building
, and as of 2010 intends to convert others, such as the Griffith Building
and Hahnes Department Store, to residences.
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
, named for Robert Treat
Robert Treat
Robert Treat was an American colonial leader, militia officer and governor of Connecticut between 1683 and 1698....
, who founded the city in 1666. One building originally opened as the Robert Treat Hotel in 1916. The landmark was later converted to an office building after the construction of newer hotel next to it. The adjacent buildings are located at Military Park
Military Park
-Local parks:*Military Park : in Indianapolis, Indiana*Military Park : in Newark, New Jersey*Military Park :-National Parks:...
near the New Jersey Performing Arts Center
New Jersey Performing Arts Center
The New Jersey Performing Arts Center , in downtown Newark, New Jersey, United States, is the sixth largest performing arts center in the United States...
and New Jersey Historical Society
New Jersey Historical Society
The New Jersey Historical Society is a historical society and museum located in Newark, New Jersey, United States. The Historical Society is housed in the former headquarters of the Essex Club. It has two floors of exhibition space, a gift shop, and a hall for lectures. The NJHS offers occasional...
.
Among the first guests at the original hotel were President Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson
Thomas Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States, from 1913 to 1921. A leader of the Progressive Movement, he served as President of Princeton University from 1902 to 1910, and then as the Governor of New Jersey from 1911 to 1913...
and Mrs. Wilson, who came to represent the national administration for the Newark Board of Trade annual dinner as part of the 250th anniversary of the city of Newark. The accommodations on the fifth would later be known as the "President's Suite". Designed by Guilbert and Betelle
Guilbert and Betelle
Guilbert and Betelle was an architecture firm formed as a partnership of Ernest F. Guilbert and James Oscar Betelle. The firm specialized in design of schools on the East Coast of the United States, with an emphasis on the "Collegiate Gothic" style....
in a Renaissance Revival style, the exterior features granite and cast stone at the base, with brick and terra cotta trim covering the upper stories. The hotel was intended to make use of every luxury and technology available at the time in the hotel industry and would be the very first of its kind in the city. Perhaps the most impressive structure of the original hotel was the lobby, where huge columns combined with intricate lighting features over a white marble steps, tile floors, and lavish rugs. There were plentiful lounge space, large palms and potted plants, and writing desks and tables on a balcony for afternoon tea. A portrait of Robert Treat was prominently placed over the fireplace mantle.
In 1964, the building converted into offices with the addition of the new Robert Treat Hotel next door, part of Best Western
Best Western
Best Western International, Inc. is the third largest hotel chain, with over 4,195 hotels in nearly 80 countries. The chain, with its corporate headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, operates more than 2,000 hotels in North America alone. Best Western has a marketing program involving placement of free...
.
In 1982, the Robert Treat Center was turned down for inclusion on the State and National Register of Historic Places because of significant alterations in the interior. The building was purchased in 1987 by The Berger Organization, which has also renovated some of the city's other commercial landmarks, such as the Fireman's Insurance Company Home Office Building and Military Park Building
Military Park Building
The Military Park Building in Newark, New Jersey is one of the earliest skyscrapers built downtown. Designed by the architectural firm Polhemus & Coffin of New York, it was the tallest building in New Jersey upon its completion in 1926 until being surpassed in 1930 by the Eleven 80. Extensively...
, and as of 2010 intends to convert others, such as the Griffith Building
Griffith Building
The Griffith Building is located in Newark, New Jersey. The building was built in 1927 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 24, 1984. The building is 15 story's and tall. The Griffith Piano Company erected the building as a showroom, workshop, office tower and recital...
and Hahnes Department Store, to residences.