New $140M Bergen County Justice Center Opens Doors
An RSC Architects-designed government building has opened at Two Bergen County Plaza, serving as the new home of the prosecutor’s office, sheriff's department, surrogate office and tax board.
By Laura Calugar
Hackensack, N.J.—Bergen County’s new Justice Center recently opened its doors. Designed by New Jersey-based RSC Architects, the project is a six-floor, 130,000-square-foot facility. Sitting on a historic site, Bergen County’s $140 million Justice Center is the centerpiece of a six-year plan to modernize and upgrade the county’s justice center complex in Hackensack.
Located at 10 Main St., the justice center complex includes a historic county jail and courthouse. The first modern addition to the government building accommodates upgrades in security, technology and amenities.
Bergen County’s new Justice Center in Hackensack, N.J.
“Two Bergen County Plaza is a tremendous new addition to the County’s government complex and a prudent investment of public funds. Two Bergen is now home to critical government services and we are confident that it will stand for many years as a symbol of the pride we feel for community,” said Julien Neals, Bergen County’s administrator, in a prepared statement.
Due to the site’s historic status and configuration, design and materials had to be selected in order to complement the existing buildings. Bergen County officials worked closely with RSC architects to create an exterior design with a strong historic character. RSC incorporated stone tile throughout the building’s interior to create a traditional feel, with wood accents. The lobby was designed with stone tile for durability, while the prosecutor’s office features a decorative ceiling tile. A multi-purpose conference center was designed for both special events and daytime meetings.
“We worked closely with New Jersey’s Historic Preservation Office to create a design that would mold with the ‘Beaux-Arts’ architectural style of the adjacent historic courthouse,” said John Capazzi, president of RSC Architects.
The building’s first floor includes a central main lobby, cafeteria, conference center and tax office. The sheriff’s office, the prosecutor’s office and the surrogate’s office are on the higher floors. The sixth floor is a data center operated by the Sheriff’s department. There is also a two-story bridge connection to the Justice Center Complex for use by the public and prosecutor’s office staff.
RSC is currently working on the design for the renovation of the vacated portions of the Bergen County Courthouse.
Photo courtesy of RSC Architects & RobFaulkner.com
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