May 31, 2023

Left to Right: Architect and Master of Ceremonies, William J. Martin, AIA; Cynthia Forster, Director of Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs; Architect Brian J. Callahan, AIA, (award recipient) and Jeffrey J. Lahullier, Mayor of East Rutherford and Historic Preservation Board Member. Photo by Jackie Martin. 

Architect Brian J. Callahan, AIA, Recognized with a Bergen County Historic Preservation Award

Bergen County has recognized 57 Jefferson Avenue, Westwood with a 2023 Historic Preservation Award. Owner Brian T. Keane, Esq. and architect Brian J. Callahan, AIA, were recognized in the award category Historic Preservation Project. 

Built in the early part of the 20th century, the home located at 57 Jefferson Avenue is a colonial revival style four-square home, located in Westwood’s Historic District. Designation of this single-family home as part of the Jefferson Avenue Historic District was made in 2011. The district earned this designation for its association with the expansion of Westwood from a commercial community to a commuter railroad suburb.

Most of Bergen County’s early towns and townships were established due to the early railroads which brought their commuter service passengers from large cities into these rural areas. The beauty of these quaint villages enticed these rail passengers to acquire property, settle down, and raise their families in these outlying suburbs.

Homes original to this district were constructed somewhere between 1890 and 1905. They featured multiple gable-front dormers and bays, wood clapboard siding, hipped roofs, Yankee gutters, wraparound porches and fluted columns. However, before this district was designated as historic, homes were susceptible to added front, side, and rear additions to accommodate single-family
mixed-use and/or multi-family extensions.

In 2017, current owner Brian Keane and architect Brian J. Callahan applied to the Westwood Building Department for a “Certification of Appropriateness” for minor site plan approval for interior and exterior renovations. Being in their Historic District, the plan would need to be reviewed by the Westwood Historic Preservation Commission (WHPC) before the final submission to the local Planning Board. After their review, the WHPC determined that these renovations would compromise the historic characteristics of the district. In March, the Certificate of Appropriateness was denied and the application was then forwarded to the Planning Board.

Due to cost considerations, practicality, and the impact on historic preservation, this application created many challenges. After much discussion, consideration and compromise, a decision was reached between the property owner and the Planning Board. Interior and exterior renovations were performed resulting in a respectful and outstanding restoration. Thankfully, a desire to work with the property owner’s needs and restraints, while still preserving the architectural flavor of this historic home and district, resulted in a true art of compromise!

According to the architect recipient, Brian Callahan, “The best projects are born out of a good collaboration between owner and architect, and in this case the owner, Brian Keane, Esq., was interested in keeping the integrity of the historic structure intact from the start. Also, I believe this was the first project to appear before the Westwood Historic Preservation Committee, and their guidance and assistance in the project were much appreciated.”

By Stacey Ruhle Kliesch, AIA, AIA NJ Advocacy Consultant | Posted in Architects League of Northern New Jersey, Uncategorized | Tagged: #brianjcallahanaia, BergenCounty, HistoricPreservation | Comments (0)