Central Ward in Newark in Essex County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

15 Washington Street

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 2, 2026

1. 15 Washington Street Marker

Inscription.
Formerly known as the American Insurance Building, 15 Washington Street is an iconic structure of the Newark skyline. This neoclassical high-rise was designed by renowned Newark-based architects John H. and Wilson C. Ely, who also designed City Hall, was built in 1929 and acquired by Rutgers University - Newark in 1975. It soon became home to Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Following relocation of the Law School in 2000, this landmark stood vacant for 13 years before it was revitalized by Rutgers University - Newark in partnership with New Brunswick Development Corporation and Pennrose Properties. The completely renovated building offers amenities such as graduate and undergraduate apartments, meeting and study spaces, a large presentation/performance space, and Clement's, a venue for jazz music.

Erected by Rutgers University.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Education • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1929.

Location. 40° 44.646′ N, 74° 10.235′ W. Marker is in Newark, New Jersey, in Essex

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

County. It is in the Central Ward. It is on Washington Street south of Broad Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 19 Washington St, Newark NJ 07102, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Jersey

and in the New York City Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hall (a few steps from this marker); Columbus Square (within shouting distance of this marker); Indian and the Puritan Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Jose G. Artigas (within shouting distance of this marker); Harriet Tubman Square (within shouting distance of this marker); Harriet Tubman Monument (about 300 feet away, measured in a

Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hall at 15 Washington Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 2, 2026

2. Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hall at 15 Washington Street

direct line); Seth Boyden (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Harriet Tubman Monument (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newark.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 3, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 53 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 3, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.