Executive House, 27-35 Saybrook Place, Newark, Essex County, NJ

Significance: The Executive House, a name given to these five contiguous rowhouses when they were used together as one rooming house (ca. 1950) represents an important architectural ensemble of late 19th century rowhouse built for member of Newark's cultural and business elite. Possibly designed by the same architect, each of the five houses maintains a similar exterior scale and detailing and identical floor, window sill and cornice heights which serve to create a strong unifying character to the block. Interior detailing and finishes are especially noteworthy since they reflect the individual tastes, lifestyles and economic circumstances of each of the building's original owners, as well as the range of late 19th century styles. As the homes of some of the city's and state's most prominent late 19th century families, these townhouses represent a period in Newark's history when well-to-do citizens favored living in close proximity to city parks and businesses, both for reasons of convenience as well as for the social status that well-established neighborhoods symbolized. The Dodd, Day/Parker and Gevers Houses were combined about 1960 into one single rooming house use after several years as separate rooming houses and rental properties. The change in use and character of these buildings corresponds to the changes in character of the Military Park neighborhood from one of single family residences to one of commercial and business uses.
Survey number: HABS NJ-1058