Building 17, RCA Victor Company, Camden Plant - Camden, NJ
N 39° 56.818 W 075° 07.640
18S E 489122 N 4421879
This last remaining Nipper Building has been completely rennovated and features a bar/cafe on its bottom floor as well as some businesses and has new condo units on the upper floors offering a great view of the Philadelphia skyline.
Waymark Code: WM5QRH
Location: New Jersey, United States
Date Posted: 02/03/2009
Views: 8
Constructed between 1909 and 1916, the structure was home to the RCA Victor Company beginning in 1919 and was known as the "Nipper" building, after its tower's stained-glass images of the terrier in the Radio Corporation of America's logo. When I went to Rutgers in '86 I remember this part of town was horrible. These Nipper/RCA buildings were vacant and dilapidated. I actually went to class in one of the buildings. Over the next 20 or so years each building has been torn down to make way for progress, save this last standing vestige of a once mighty RCA empire.
The building is really impressive as it is huge. It overlooks the Delaware River and gives an awesome view of the Philadelphia City skyline. Campbell's Field (401 N. Delaware Avenue) is a 24 second walk away and the Adventure Aquarium is 250 feet away.
The most notable feature is the stained glass tower which sits 200 feet or so in the air, high atop Camden. I am not sure if it is undergoing renovation but side is missing a pane of glass and the other side (east end) is fully intact. I found an article HERE which speaks of NJEDA Environmental Remediation Grants to restore the building. The article states ""For decades the Nipper Building was an RCA manufacturing facility and a landmark in Camden," said Anthony R. Coscia, chairman of the NJEDA. "The building is famed for the stained glass window at the top depicting the old RCA logo of Nipper the dog listening to a phonograph". This grant is an important element in the decision to restore the Nipper Building and plans to convert it to condominiums as part of the revitalization of the Camden waterfront." (Source already referenced)
The posted coordinates are for the entrance which is on Market Street. The entrance is directly under the stained glass tower.