ARTISAN TILE & MARBLE
CO. OF NJ, INC.

Hudson County PlazaJersey City, New Jersey

What was originally the "Block Drug" Building in Jersey City was chosen for renovations - giving it a second life serving various County departments including the Sheriff, 911 Center, Chest Clinic, Rutgers Cooperative, Department of Family Services, County Clerk, County Registrar, Veterans Affairs, Superintendent of Elections, Board of Elections, Board of Taxation, Division of Road and Public Property and the Division of Community Development. This major relocation is part of the County’s plan for increased efficiency and consolidation.

The challenge was to create an atmosphere of both distinction and functionality that would serve these many departments of county government. Clearly identifiable areas of access were needed to allow a myriad of functions and services to coexist.

Over 40,000 square feet of materials cover lobbies, vestibules, corridors, toilets, locker rooms and kitchens. More than 100 rooms scattered throughout the Plaza received the "TMT treatment."

Upon entering the main lobby, visitors are welcomed by a striking, multi-level reception desk, visually enhanced by the use of curved dimensional stone. An equally impressive marble setting is created with 24 x 24" tiles on the floor. Attention to detail is evident throughout the main lobby with the addition of quirk mitred corners.

There, at the center of this lobby area is the crown jewel - a stunning marble mosaic mural of the Hudson County Seal. The installation of this mural required the utmost craftsmanship in dealing with the floor thickness differential between the lobby and mural materials.

A mud installation was employed for this purpose. State of the art technology combined with meticulous and painstaking manual cuts were utilized to create this mural, with all marble fabrication done in the state of New Jersey. Experienced hands executed a precision layout where geometric straight lines flowed into the mural, creating an eye-catching and elegant result.

Throughout the Plaza building, countless common and work areas received functional, yet attractive, 6 x 6" quarry tile, 4-1/4" sq. wall tile, 2 x 2" floor tile.

Two other areas of note are the Department of Family Services and Sheriff’s office, both discernible with their own distinctive terrazzo work.

The Department of Family Services welcomes visitors with a 2-color terrazzo tile logo of the Hudson County Seal. The logo is surrounded by two complementing colored 12 x 12" tiles, creating a unique framed, inlaid carpet effect.

In another entrance to the building, the Sheriff’s Office is indicated by an "arresting" multi-colored, terrazzo tile medallion. The surrounding hallways frame the badge medallion with terrazzo tile in several shades.

The Hudson County Plaza is truly a showcase for the craftsmanship exhibited by all three TMT trades. The interior ranges from utilitarian to elegant - once again satisfying the needs of both the building’s owner and its designers.