Newark, NJ | February 24, 2008

***VelesHomais*** · February 26th, 2008, 01:28 AM

My friend and I were probably the only tourists this city has seen in years. Unfortunately I went there when it was already getting dark and I took a small, convenient camera, so the pictures reflect these factors.

image hosted on flickr

Getting to Newark from New-York is more convenient than getting around NYC, you hop on the path train which is very fast and cheap ($1.50) and before you know it, you're there. It only takes 7-10 minutes from WTC to Newark, NJ. Although I wouldn't call it New-Yorks suburb, it's too far for that and is too different.

Judging by the architecture this city has seen much better days, it was probably booming long time ago. Today the population appears to be extremely scarce, so much that at evening (around 19:00) you will barely find a soul in the downtown of the city. The only activity we observed was between the two main parks/squares where a gang of local youngster were fighting each other and quite seriously too. Other than that the whole "I AM LEGEND" atmosphere of emptiness was a bit creepy.

Anyway, we arrive at this Penn Railway station, which is a nice building.
image hosted on flickr

I printed out a map of the city from googlemaps as always so I knew where to go, the plan was to visit the Military park, the Washington square, the University area and the Basilica Cathedral.
image hosted on flickr

Some impressive highrises
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Big Hilton
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The core of the downtown, highest skyscrapers
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Five tallest buildings in the city
01. National Newark 142 m 1931
02. Eleven80 137 m 1930
03. Prudential Plaza 114 m 1960
04. 80 Park Plaza 110 m 1980
05. One Gateway Center 109 m 1971

As you can see the peak came in 1931.

image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

Great illumination throughout the city, except for the monuments/statues unfortunately.
image hosted on flickr

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An amphitheater in the Military park
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John F. Kennedy
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This mini-skyscraper dates all the way back to 1926!
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Completely empty, deserted fastfood establishment
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To be continued . . .

***VelesHomais*** · February 26th, 2008, 02:08 AM

Looks like it was more vibrant in 1874

image hosted on flickr

A lot of neogothic architecture
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Doesn't look as deserted on the pictures as it did in life. Completele silence, sometimes you might spot one person walking around, and it wasn't as I said 4 AM, it was 6.00-8.00

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Very good Washington monument
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This is a tram stop. The trams themselves are very nice, modern looking.
image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

University library. The campus is rather large, I'd say mostly build in the 1980's but with some late 1990's additions. Although the interior looks decadent.
image hosted on flickr

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Castle-like building atop a hill across from the University area.
image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

And finally nearly the main reason why I wanted to go there. The Basilica Cathedral which is among the America's best, it would look very much in place in the heart of Paris but it's located on the outskirts of Newark. Built in French neogothic style, colossal structure commands importance and is just beautiful to look at.

I first saw it several months ago when I was passing through the city when I was a salesman, I simply parked on the side and stayed looking at it (had no idea something like this existed in Newark).
image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

And we're on our way back to the Penn station
image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

Interesting highrise with a brieze and all the Greco-Roman classical elements
image hosted on flickr

Some medievel looking church, it wasn't illuminated so you won't see all of it
image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

Some sport facility with a huge screen. I think it's for hockey.
image hosted on flickr

Good thing they built that skybridge so the pedestrians can avoid all the traffic

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Inside the railway station
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Leaving
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nice aerial shot

***Jaybird*** · February 26th, 2008, 03:25 AM

Newark has somewhat of a Philadelphia-esque feel and look to it. Great pictures!

Billpa · February 26th, 2008, 11:41 AM

Great job...you made Newark look ok. Not an easy task.

***xzmattzx*** · February 26th, 2008, 05:31 PM

Newark looks pretty nice. I have not had the chance to take pictures up in North Jersey, I plan on doing that some time soon.

The reason that no one is out in Newark is mainly because Newark has a lot of crime. Newark also isn't a "hip" place to go, either. I believe that Hoboken is the vibrant place in North Jersey if you don't want to go into New York.

***Xusein*** · February 26th, 2008, 08:56 PM

Jersey City too...or at least I believe so. It's still not as unafforable as Hoboken.

Nice pics, BTW, Burislav.

I remember going to Newark back in 2005 when I went on a bus to Ohio. Still has a looong way to go, but compared to my past travels there in the nineties, it's downtown is a lot better. Newark has a large Insurance industry, which it has in common with Hartford.

NoName678 · February 27th, 2008, 04:07 AM

By coincidence I was in Newark this past Sunday as well, since I had not gone sightseeing there for a while. It is, in parts, a pleasant enough place on a bright sunny day. It never occurred to me to go after dark though.

My understanding about the skywalks (which could be wrong) is that back when those buildings were being built, when crime was rampant, there was a feeling that people would be too scared (or at least uncomfortable) to walk on the streets in the evenings. The skywalks enabled them to walk directly to Penn Station (and ride out of town) without having to walk the streets. Penn Station was on the edge of the old downtown area, but the newer office buildings are within a couple of blocks of it.

***VelesHomais*** · February 27th, 2008, 04:16 AM

lol, so was I taking a big risk by walking around after dark?

mjbu · February 27th, 2008, 04:20 AM

OH yes, and very surprised nothing happend to you.

Why did you go to this place and even worse at night?

In any case you did a great job taking the pictures and thanks for the thread.

***VelesHomais*** · February 27th, 2008, 04:34 AM

I like to go everywhere, including places that noone goes to. I nearly died a couple of times in my life (including from murder) so i'm not easily scared by rough neighborhoods

not that I'm tough, quite the opposite, I'm just often bored and seek adventures I guess. Plus from an architectural point of view there's a lot to look at in the city

myself in one of the mirrory facades in the downtown
http://i26.tinypic.com/fxukop.jpg

Now I'm disappointed that I didn't take a pic of the guys fighting, it was a bizarre scene in a middle of the city

NoName678 · February 27th, 2008, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burislav

lol, so was I taking a big risk by walking around after dark?

Still a small risk in absolute terms - smaller than it would have been 25 years ago certainly - but greater than most cities. You got some good pictures out of it though.

***VelesHomais*** · February 27th, 2008, 04:48 AM

I saw a couple of police cars suspiciously slowly driving around when I walked to the Cathedral area (I didn't realize it was so far from the downtown, I think it took me like 30 mintues to get there) and saw a couple of drunks and homeless people on the way.

WZ1 · February 29th, 2008, 02:45 AM

cant be that rough.. although i didnt really feel safe when i was there in daylight..

bayviews · March 6th, 2008, 03:15 AM

Interesting pictures! They reaffirm that Newark has traveled a long road up from what it was a few decades ago. Though, it’s a city still best visited during daylight!

February 26th, 2008, 01:28 AM	#1
*VelesHomais* aspiring cyborg Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NYC \| KYIV \| MINSK Posts: 18,747 Likes (Received): 250	Newark, NJ \| February 24, 2008 My friend and I were probably the only tourists this city has seen in years. Unfortunately I went there when it was already getting dark and I took a small, convenient camera, so the pictures reflect these factors. image hosted on flickr Getting to Newark from New-York is more convenient than getting around NYC, you hop on the path train which is very fast and cheap ($1.50) and before you know it, you're there. It only takes 7-10 minutes from WTC to Newark, NJ. Although I wouldn't call it New-Yorks suburb, it's too far for that and is too different. Judging by the architecture this city has seen much better days, it was probably booming long time ago. Today the population appears to be extremely scarce, so much that at evening (around 19:00) you will barely find a soul in the downtown of the city. The only activity we observed was between the two main parks/squares where a gang of local youngster were fighting each other and quite seriously too. Other than that the whole "I AM LEGEND" atmosphere of emptiness was a bit creepy. Anyway, we arrive at this Penn Railway station, which is a nice building. image hosted on flickr I printed out a map of the city from googlemaps as always so I knew where to go, the plan was to visit the Military park, the Washington square, the University area and the Basilica Cathedral. image hosted on flickr Some impressive highrises image hosted on flickr Big Hilton image hosted on flickr The core of the downtown, highest skyscrapers image hosted on flickr Five tallest buildings in the city 01. National Newark 142 m 1931 02. Eleven80 137 m 1930 03. Prudential Plaza 114 m 1960 04. 80 Park Plaza 110 m 1980 05. One Gateway Center 109 m 1971 As you can see the peak came in 1931. image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr Great illumination throughout the city, except for the monuments/statues unfortunately. image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr An amphitheater in the Military park image hosted on flickr John F. Kennedy image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr This mini-skyscraper dates all the way back to 1926! image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr Completely empty, deserted fastfood establishment image hosted on flickr To be continued . . . __________________ The Future Is Now - join us for intellectually stimulating and informative discussions

February 26th, 2008, 02:08 AM	#2
*VelesHomais* aspiring cyborg Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NYC \| KYIV \| MINSK Posts: 18,747 Likes (Received): 250	Looks like it was more vibrant in 1874 image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr A lot of neogothic architecture image hosted on flickr Doesn't look as deserted on the pictures as it did in life. Completele silence, sometimes you might spot one person walking around, and it wasn't as I said 4 AM, it was 6.00-8.00 image hosted on flickr Very good Washington monument image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr This is a tram stop. The trams themselves are very nice, modern looking. image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr University library. The campus is rather large, I'd say mostly build in the 1980's but with some late 1990's additions. Although the interior looks decadent. image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr Castle-like building atop a hill across from the University area. image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr And finally nearly the main reason why I wanted to go there. The Basilica Cathedral which is among the America's best, it would look very much in place in the heart of Paris but it's located on the outskirts of Newark. Built in French neogothic style, colossal structure commands importance and is just beautiful to look at. I first saw it several months ago when I was passing through the city when I was a salesman, I simply parked on the side and stayed looking at it (had no idea something like this existed in Newark). image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr And we're on our way back to the Penn station image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr Interesting highrise with a brieze and all the Greco-Roman classical elements image hosted on flickr Some medievel looking church, it wasn't illuminated so you won't see all of it image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr Some sport facility with a huge screen. I think it's for hockey. image hosted on flickr Good thing they built that skybridge so the pedestrians can avoid all the traffic image hosted on flickr Inside the railway station image hosted on flickr Leaving image hosted on flickr nice aerial shot __________________ The Future Is Now - join us for intellectually stimulating and informative discussions

February 26th, 2008, 03:25 AM	#3
*Jaybird* Making Detroit look good! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Mitchell, Ontario Posts: 3,888 Likes (Received): 20	Newark has somewhat of a Philadelphia-esque feel and look to it. Great pictures! __________________ I'm a kind of person feeling like living back in the 1950s, one who favors and enjoys the Golden-age, rust-belt cities of Buffalo, Pittsburgh, and Detroit, and the Gothic skylines of New York and Philadelphia. In my eye, they have more character, soul, and history to be pictured than today's world-class, cosmopolitan, and sprawling cities. Jaybird's ZENFOLIO Photo Galleries Jaybird's PBASE Photo Galleries

February 26th, 2008, 05:31 PM	#5
*xzmattzx* Philly sports fan Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Wilmington, Delaware Posts: 12,622 Likes (Received): 57	Newark looks pretty nice. I have not had the chance to take pictures up in North Jersey, I plan on doing that some time soon. The reason that no one is out in Newark is mainly because Newark has a lot of crime. Newark also isn't a "hip" place to go, either. I believe that Hoboken is the vibrant place in North Jersey if you don't want to go into New York. __________________ The great state of Delaware; My daily Delaware photo; My urban photo blog Riverfront Wilmington construction photos; Center City Wilmington construction photos

February 26th, 2008, 08:56 PM	#6
*Xusein* Somali Mod Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Kingdom Come Posts: 24,558 Likes (Received): 432	Jersey City too...or at least I believe so. It's still not as unafforable as Hoboken. Nice pics, BTW, Burislav. I remember going to Newark back in 2005 when I went on a bus to Ohio. Still has a looong way to go, but compared to my past travels there in the nineties, it's downtown is a lot better. Newark has a large Insurance industry, which it has in common with Hartford. __________________ SkyscraperCity SOOMAALIYA

February 26th, 2008, 11:41 AM	#4
Billpa Beer is a Tasty Treat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Harrisburg Posts: 772 Likes (Received): 0	Great job...you made Newark look ok. Not an easy task.

February 27th, 2008, 04:07 AM	#7
NoName678 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 21 Likes (Received): 0	By coincidence I was in Newark this past Sunday as well, since I had not gone sightseeing there for a while. It is, in parts, a pleasant enough place on a bright sunny day. It never occurred to me to go after dark though. My understanding about the skywalks (which could be wrong) is that back when those buildings were being built, when crime was rampant, there was a feeling that people would be too scared (or at least uncomfortable) to walk on the streets in the evenings. The skywalks enabled them to walk directly to Penn Station (and ride out of town) without having to walk the streets. Penn Station was on the edge of the old downtown area, but the newer office buildings are within a couple of blocks of it.

February 27th, 2008, 04:16 AM	#8
*VelesHomais* aspiring cyborg Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NYC \| KYIV \| MINSK Posts: 18,747 Likes (Received): 250	lol, so was I taking a big risk by walking around after dark? __________________ The Future Is Now - join us for intellectually stimulating and informative discussions

February 27th, 2008, 04:20 AM	#9
mjbu I'm alive Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: raritan Posts: 10,424 Likes (Received): 7	OH yes, and very surprised nothing happend to you. Why did you go to this place and even worse at night? In any case you did a great job taking the pictures and thanks for the thread.

February 27th, 2008, 04:34 AM	#10
*VelesHomais* aspiring cyborg Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NYC \| KYIV \| MINSK Posts: 18,747 Likes (Received): 250	I like to go everywhere, including places that noone goes to. I nearly died a couple of times in my life (including from murder) so i'm not easily scared by rough neighborhoods not that I'm tough, quite the opposite, I'm just often bored and seek adventures I guess. Plus from an architectural point of view there's a lot to look at in the city myself in one of the mirrory facades in the downtown http://i26.tinypic.com/fxukop.jpg Now I'm disappointed that I didn't take a pic of the guys fighting, it was a bizarre scene in a middle of the city __________________ The Future Is Now - join us for intellectually stimulating and informative discussions Last edited by VelesHomais; February 27th, 2008 at 04:44 AM.

February 27th, 2008, 04:48 AM	#12
*VelesHomais* aspiring cyborg Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NYC \| KYIV \| MINSK Posts: 18,747 Likes (Received): 250	I saw a couple of police cars suspiciously slowly driving around when I walked to the Cathedral area (I didn't realize it was so far from the downtown, I think it took me like 30 mintues to get there) and saw a couple of drunks and homeless people on the way. __________________ The Future Is Now - join us for intellectually stimulating and informative discussions

February 29th, 2008, 02:45 AM	#13
WZ1 Borat Sagdiev Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Mississauga Posts: 813 Likes (Received): 0	cant be that rough.. although i didnt really feel safe when i was there in daylight.. __________________ *My Photography Website - Urban Photography* Zenfolio: Urban North America

March 6th, 2008, 03:15 AM	#14
bayviews Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 5,486 Likes (Received): 6	Interesting pictures! They reaffirm that Newark has traveled a long road up from what it was a few decades ago. Though, it’s a city still best visited during daylight!

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