A Field Guide to New Jersey Architecture (Part I)

New Jersey is one of the most ethnically and geographically diverse states in the nation, and our built environment reflects that. From the colonial estates of the north to the neon motels of the shore, the Garden State is an architectural museum.

Here is a breakdown of six distinct styles you can find while driving our backroads and highways.

1. Georgian (1700–1776)

The Vibe: Order, balance, and English nobility. Named after the succession of English Kings named George, this was the dominant style in the colonies for the wealthy upper class. It is rooted in the Italian Renaissance ideals of symmetry.

Key Characteristics:

• Strict Symmetry: A simple box shape, usually two rooms deep. Windows are arranged symmetrically (usually five across on the second floor).
• The Crown: The front door is centered and capped with an elaborate crown or entablature, often supported by decorative pilasters (flattened columns).
• Dentil Work: The cornice (the molding along the roofline) often features “dentil” molding, which looks like small teeth.
• Chimneys: Paired chimneys, one on each side of the home.

NJ Examples:

• Dey Mansion (Wayne)

• Cornelius Low House (Piscataway)
• Buccleuch Mansion (New Brunswick)

2. Greek Revival (1830–1850)

The Vibe: Democracy and stability. As the young nation matured, architects looked to ancient Greece—the birthplace of democracy—for inspiration. This style became associated with economic security and civic pride. It spread rapidly in NJ thanks to pattern books by Asher Benjamin and local carpenters like Mahlon Fisher.

Key Characteristics:

• The Temple Look: Features a pedimented gable (the triangular section of the roof facing front), making the house look like a Greek temple.
• Heavy Cornice: A bold, thick trim line along the roof.
• Columns: Entry porches often feature columns or heavy pilasters.
• The Frieze: A wide, plain band of trim running beneath the cornice.

NJ Examples:

• The Doric House (Flemington)

• Mead Hall (Drew University, Madison)
• Lawrence Mansion (Hamburg)

3. Italianate (1840s–1870s)

The Vibe: Romantic, picturesque, and vertical. Moving away from the rigid symmetry of the previous styles, Italianate architecture was inspired by the rambling villas of northern Italy. It was popularized by pattern books as a stylish alternative to the “temple” look.

Key Characteristics:

• Corbels: This is the giveaway. Look for deep, overhanging eaves supported by large decorative brackets called corbels.
• Tall Windows: Windows are often tall, narrow, and arched or curved at the top.
• The Tower: Many feature a square cupola or central tower rising from the roof.
• Flat Roofs: Low-pitched or flat roofs are common, often concealed by balustrades.

NJ Examples:

• Acorn Hall (Morristown)

• Ellarslie Mansion (Trenton)

• The Southern Mansion (Cape May)

4. Queen Anne (1880–1910)

The Vibe: Eccentric, colorful, and busy. When people think “Victorian,” they are usually thinking of Queen Anne. This style is all about excess. It utilizes mass-produced millwork to create complex, asymmetrical shapes.

Key Characteristics:

• Asymmetry: Irregular floor plans with corner towers or turrets.
• Texture: A mix of materials, such as patterned wood shingles (“fish scale”), brick, and terracotta.
• The Porch: Broad, wrap-around porches are a staple.
• Windows: Oriel windows (bay windows that float on the upper story) and stained glass.

NJ Examples:

• Strauss Mansion (Atlantic Highlands)

• Joseph Leedom House (Cape May)
• Kuser Mansion (Hamilton)

5. Arts & Crafts / Craftsman (1910–1925)

The Vibe: Honest, rustic, and handmade. Championed in NJ by Gustav Stickley (who built his utopian estate, Craftsman Farms, here), this movement was a reaction against the machine-made excess of the Victorian era. It focused on natural materials and hand-craftsmanship.

Key Characteristics:

• The Bungalow: Low-pitched gabled roofs with deep overhanging eaves.
• Exposed Rafters: You can see the beams or decorative brackets under the roofline.
• The Porch: Large front porches beneath the extension of the main roof.
• Tapered Columns: The porch roof is often supported by square columns that are wider at the bottom than the top (battered columns).

NJ Examples:

• Craftsman Farms (Parsippany-Troy Hills)

• Livingston Manor (Highland Park)
• Mountain Lakes (An entire borough of Craftsman homes)

6. Doo Wop (1950s–1960s)

The Vibe: Neon, cars, and the Space Age. While known as “Googie” architecture elsewhere, in New Jersey, it is exclusively “Doo Wop.” Found primarily in the Wildwoods, this style reflects the optimism of the post-war era, Rock ‘n’ Roll, and the Jet Age.

Key Characteristics:

• Blast Off: Angled, forward-thrusting rooflines and glass walls reminiscent of airports.
• Neon: Elaborate, flashing signage is integral to the architecture.
• Themes: Often heavily themed, ranging from “Tiki” (plastic palms and torches) to “Space Age” (sputniks and saucers).
• Boomerangs: Jutting balconies and railings in zig-zag or kidney shapes.

NJ Examples:

• Caribbean Motel (Wildwood Crest)
• The Waikiki (Wildwood)
• The Bel Air (Wildwood)