Architecture | Historic Preservation
Trenton, NJ
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The group of buildings known as “The Golden Swan” has played an important part in Trenton's history almost since its construction in 1815. 101 to 105 South Warren Street were built as rowhouses, but by 1824 the corner property had been turned into the Golden Swan Tavern. 107 South Warren Street was built later, around 1850, but became associated with the original group of houses. All four properties were joined together in 1939. Over the years, the buildings have served a number of commercial and even religious uses, but their essential form and presence on the street, including massing, roof line, gables, window openings and exterior materials, have remained constant. From 1858 until 1872 the buildings served as the headquarters and publishing house for the "Daily True American", the most important Democratic Party newspaper in New Jersey’s capital city. Under the leadership of Judge David Naar, the paper exerted a powerful influence on local and state politics, and was the center of controversy, particularly during the Civil War.
Most recently, the buildings were used as a locksmith shop, apartments and a variety of other uses. They then sat empty and deteriorating until 2006 when purchased by Woodrose Properties to serve as the flagship for their historic restoration and adaptive reuse projects in Trenton.
When Clarke Caton Hintz began design work, the buildings were in poor condition, with a fire that had damaged one apartment and water damage throughout. Our task was to take advantage of the wonderful history and character of the building, repair the years of neglect and damage and turn this group of buildings into a modern, mixed-use complex. To that end, the wood structure has been repaired and reinforced, the exterior brick cleaned, repaired and repainted, historically appropriate/ energy efficient windows and storefronts installed, and a new elevator and lobby addition constructed at the rear. Each tenant space, whether retail, commercial or residential, has been carefully designed to combine the wonderful character of the historic building with modern organization and technology. The building is now completely handicapped accessible, wired and energy efficient. In addition, Part of CCH’s work was to prepare a nomination to the State and National Registers of Historic Places so that the project could receive the Federal Historic Tax Credit.
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Awards
New Good Neighbor Award
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