Posted Feb 23, 2024, 4:32 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Borough of Jersey
Posts: 52,612
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https://original.newsbreak.com/@chri...istoric-newark
Modernist 'Air Filter' Skyscraper Casts a Shadow Over Historic Newark
The Summit Tower: An Unwelcome Addition to Newark's Historic Skyline
Christopher Lotito
2/23/2024
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Newark, New Jersey, a city steeped in history and architectural significance, now faces a looming threat to its skyline integrity with the proposed Summit Tower. Rising like an imposing sentinel over Market Street, this skyscraper, standing at a staggering 508 feet, is a stark departure from the city's rich heritage.
Designed by Inoa Architecture of New York City, the Summit Tower appears as an oversized, uninspired air filter, utterly out of place amidst Newark's storied past. Its sleek, modern facade clashes harshly with the timeless charm of a city founded by Puritans in 1666, with ties to the Revolutionary War, and adorned with numerous exemplary works of historic architecture.
The project, spearheaded by the Newark-based KS Group at a hefty cost of $200 million, seems to prioritize profit over preserving the city's identity. While touted as a solution to Newark's housing needs, the Summit Tower's 579 apartments, including a mere 116 designated as affordable, and 11,500 square feet of retail space, come at the expense of Newark's character. 80% of the apartments within would rent at or above market rate, a staggering $2,000 to $3,000 for a studio on average.
The proposed tower seeks variances that defy zoning regulations, including exemptions from minimum distance requirements and height restrictions. The broad deviation from established guidelines has many residents concerned about what's perceived as a blatant disregard for the city's urban planning principles and architectural heritage.
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Proponents of the Summit Tower point to its amenities and proximity to transportation hubs as redeeming qualities. However, a rooftop swimming pool and gym does little to alleviate the glaring affront to Newark's historic landscape. Promises of convenience for commuters do little to justify the wholesale alteration of a city skyline with a proud past.
Others feel that the endorsement of Mayor Ras Baraka and the City Council for high-rise development sets a dangerous precedent, prioritizing transient modernity over the preservation of Newark's legacy. They say that the approval of projects like the Summit Tower represents a betrayal of the city's residents, who deserve thoughtful, context-sensitive development that honors Newark's unique history. It's hard to blame residents from being skeptical, when Ras Baraka was so recently over $30,000 for campaign finance violations.
,,,While some, like Myles Zhang, a local preservationist, may see merit in the Summit Tower's design, it remains a divisive symbol of Newark's uncertain future. Zhang's commendation of the architect's attempt to mimic surrounding structures does little to alleviate concerns about the tower's jarring presence in the Four Corners Historic District.
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