Fairmount Apartments, Historic apartment complex in Jersey City, New Jersey, United States.
Fairmount Apartments is a residential complex made up of two L-shaped buildings rising four to five stories, connected by a single-story structure along Kennedy Boulevard. The site now operates as Birchwood at Fairmount Hotel, offering 59 income-restricted homes designed for older residents.
Built in two phases between 1909 and 1912, the complex was originally designed by architects Newman and Harris with 66 apartments. The site reflects early 20th century residential architecture in Jersey City and remains on the National Register of Historic Places.
Father Divine, leader of the International Peace Mission Movement, acquired the building in 1962 and used it to create integrated housing welcoming people of all backgrounds. You can still sense today how this place embodied a commitment to living together without discrimination.
The site is an active residential building today, not a public museum, so visitors can mainly view the exterior and facade from the street. You can best appreciate the neoclassical details and decorative elements by walking along Kennedy Boulevard to see the building's front and sides.
The building features a distinctive decorative pattern on its facade where the letters F and A are woven into a fruit tree design. This ornamental detail demonstrates the careful craftsmanship invested in the original construction.
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