1879 Emlen Physick Estate Named One of Top 25 Must-see Buildings in the State by American Institute of Architects

CAPE MAY – The 1879 Emlen Physick Estate has been chosen as one of New Jersey’s “25 must-see buildings” by the American Institute of Architects (AIA). 
USA TODAY Travel and AIA have teamed up to highlight the best buildings in America, and the Physick Estate, which has been lovingly preserved and open to the public for touring since 1970 by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC), is on this list.
USA TODAY Travel asked AIA chapters nationwide to name 25 structures visitors to their state should see. These architects and design professionals also share their perspective on why these buildings, monuments and gardens are so significant. The story on New Jersey’s “25 must-see buildings” can be read here:
www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/2018/01/31/25-must-see-buildings-new-jersey/1080053001/
Christina Amey of Christina Amey Architect LLC in Ocean City and Avalon is president of AIA South Jersey, which encompasses Cape May, Atlantic and Cumberland counties. Interesting architecture, she said, helps boost tourism and support the economy of an area.
“I think especially in our areas that are quite seasonal, the architecture that is appealing and interesting encourages more year-round visitation, as opposed to just in the summer.”
The four sites chosen in the AIA South Jersey region are: The Landis Theater, Vineland; Lucy the Elephant, Margate; Doo Wop Preservation, Caribbean Motel, Wildwood; and the Emlen Physick House, Cape May.
Promoting these buildings and having people visit these buildings to experience them, themselves, is good for those communities, she said.
“The draw to experience these buildings and their surroundings is something we want to encourage, to promote more people taking an interest in architecture and developing that relationship with the community. … The built environment affects our perception of space and can affect our emotional reaction to things — more significantly than people realize.”
Visitors to the website can view the noteworthy buildings via photo carousel, and explore other significant buildings chosen in each state.
All New Jersey featured buildings were selected by the AIA NJ Public Awareness Committee.
Credit: Most of the buildings featured on this list and some 75+ more can be found in AIA New Jersey Guidebook: 150 Best Buildings and Places. Otherwise unaccredited text is associated with this volume. You can find a copy here: www.amazon.com/AIA-New-Jersey-Guidebook-Buildings/dp/0813551269. Credit: Kennedy-Grant, FAIA, Philip S., Mark Alan Hewitt, FAIA, and Michael J. Mills, FAIA. AIA New Jersey Guidebook: 150 Best Buildings and Places. New Brunswick: Rutgers University Press, 2011. Copyright ©2011 by Rutgers, the State University. Reprinted by permission of Rutgers University Press.