The Dietze building at 60-64 Union Street, a former toy factory in Newark, New Jersey, was converted into 10 artist's live/work spaces, an art gallery, ceramics studio, and urban garden. Cross ventilation, huge windows, even in bathrooms, restore a mixed-use street with artist's studios, commercial space and apartments. The original parking area was converted into the beautiful garden and ceramic studio, a trade-off which the residents are quite pleased with, especially since public transportation is quite good and in close proximity to the site.

The goal of this project is to always provide affordable housing to the artist's who reside in the Dietze building. In addition, the project looks for residents who have a strong involvement within in the community, so to further integrate and solidify the building and its residents to its neighborhood.

Adaptable to household changes:

The Dietze Building rehab provided toilet/bath, and a kitchen sink in a 2500 square foot open loft space. One of the unique aspects of the Dietze building is that each tenant is responsible for adapting / decorating / constructing their own space to fit their specific needs. As a result, although the loft spaces originally were very similar, they have evolved into extremely different spaces based upon the needs, ingenuity and creativity of its occupant. As tenants have moved in and out, the building unit interiors have evolved and will continue to evolve based upon those who inhabit its spaces.

Meet high aesthetic standards:

The Dietze building is one of few remaining 19th century factory buildings still standing in Newark, New Jersey. Care was taken to preserve the original building including the 180 arch top windows. The driveway, garage and rear parking area were converted to a ceramic studio and showroom, and an urban garden. The concrete was broken up by sledgehammer and coverted to a rock garden of Eden in the heart of the city.