- Nipper Building
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Coordinates: 39°56′59″N 75°07′37″W / 39.949671°N 75.126990°W
Nipper Building
Location: 1 Market Street, Camden, New Jersey Coordinates: 39°56′59″N 75°07′37″W / 39.949671°N 75.126990°W Area: 3.7 acres (1.5 ha) Built: 1909 Architect: Ballinger & Perrot Architectural style: Classical Revival Governing body: Private NRHP Reference#: 02001253[1] NJRHP #: 3033[2] Significant dates Added to NRHP: October 4, 2002 Designated NJRHP: September 18, 2002 The Nipper Building is a colloquial name for The Victor condominiums, and originally, Building 17, RCA Victor Company, Camden Plant. The structure is a historical building located in Camden, New Jersey. Formerly RCA Victor Headquarters, it was converted into luxury apartments and retail space in 2004.[3]
Contents
History
The Nipper Building, now known as 'The Victor', was originally constructed in 1909-1916, by the architectural and engineering firm of Ballinger & Perrot.[4]
Stained glass window in the building's tower featuring Nipper.
Francis Barraud, an unknown British artist, saw his dog, Nipper, sitting attentively in front of a talking machine. Barraud was so impressed that he decided to put it on canvas. Nipper, the alert Fox Terrier with an ear cocked to an antique phonograph, became the best known dog in the world. The painting, called His Master's Voice, was sold to the British Gramophone Company Ltd. and became the trademarks of both the Gramophone Company and its new American affiliate, the Victor Talking Machine Company in 1901. RCA purchased the Victor Company in 1929. The purchase included the Camden manufacturing plant and the "His Master's Voice" trademark.[5]
The Nipper Building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[3]
The Victor
After manufacturing ceased in 1992, the building became vacant, vandalized and a general eyesore to the surrounding area. In 1997, the building was listed on Preservation New Jersey's Ten Most Endangered sites list.[6]
Utilizing the Investment Tax Credit, the structure was converted into a complex featuring a mix of 341 upscale loft apartments with outstanding views of the Philadelphia skyline. The restoration was completed in August 2003 at a cost of $65 million.[7] Approximately 80% of the project's funding came from private sources, namely through Dranoff Properties, Fleet Bank and Related Capital. Remaining funding came from various public sources including the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, the New Jersey Redevelopment Authority and the Delaware River Port Authority.[7]
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Camden County, New Jersey
- Victor Talking Machine Company
- Gramophone Company
- Nipper
References
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2009-03-13. http://nrhp.focus.nps.gov/natreg/docs/All_Data.html.
- ^ "New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places - Camden County". NJ DEP - Historic Preservation Office. January 10, 2010. p. 12. http://www.state.nj.us/dep/hpo/1identify/lists/camden.pdf. Retrieved May 26, 2010.
- ^ a b "Landmark living on the Camden Waterfront.". http://www.dranoffproperties.com/portfolio/the-victor/. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
- ^ "RCA Victor Company, "Nipper Building" Rehabilitation". 17 June 2009. http://www.state.nj.us/dep/hpo/4sustain/awds2004.htm#4. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
- ^ "About RCA - Nipper and Chipper". http://home.rca.com/en-US/PressReleaseDetail.html?Cat=RCAHistory&MN=11. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
- ^ "10 Most Endangered Historic Sites in New Jersey Archive". http://www.preservationnj.org/site/ExpEng/index.php?/ten_most/archive_by_year_detail/1997/Nipper_Building_RCA. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
- ^ a b "2004 Preservation Awards Presented in State House Ceremony". http://www.state.nj.us/dep/hpo/4sustain/awds2004.htm#4. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
External links
U.S. National Register of Historic Places Topics Lists by states Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • WyomingLists by territories Lists by associated states Other Categories:- Camden, New Jersey
- Buildings and structures in Camden County, New Jersey
- National Historic Landmarks in New Jersey
- National Register of Historic Places in New Jersey
- Classical Revival architecture
- 1909 architecture
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