The Opportunity

In order to subdivide and redevelop an oceanfront property, the current ownerhad received municipal approval for demolition of a residence within the National Register-eligible Saint Leonard’s Tract Historic District. The Colonial Revival dwelling, built in 1930, had originally belonged to the Victor Talking Machine Company founder Eldridge R. Johnson and later to casino magnate Steve Wynn. As a condition for approval of a CAFRA (Coastal Area Facility Act) permit application, the New Jersey Historic Preservation Office required digital photographic and written documentation of the building according to HABS (Historic American Buildings Survey) Level III standards prior to its removal.

The Challenge

HABS recordation involves an exacting standard of photorecordation as well as written documentation of the building’s appearance, history, and historical significance. The PS&S researchers were tasked with accurately recording the historical elements of a house that has undergone substantial renovations since its construction. Significant changes to the residence included the reconfigured window patterns, the removal of a 2-story back porch, and extensive interior modifications.

The PS&S Solution

Using primary sources such as fire insurance maps and archived architectural drawings as well as published sources, PS&S researched the history of Ventnor City, the surrounding neighborhood, and the house itself to establish the building’s historic context and trace changes to its historic fabric over the years. This information aided in focusing the photographic documentation on original historic features and providing an accurate historical record for the HABS archive. The successful completion of the HABS documentation report cleared the way for CAFRA permit approval.