American Insurance Company Building

American Insurance Company Building
General information
Coordinates	40°44′41″N 74°10′14″W / 40.74459°N 74.17067°W / 40.74459; -74.17067Coordinates: 40°44′41″N 74°10′14″W / 40.74459°N 74.17067°W / 40.74459; -74.17067
Completed	1930
Owner	Rutgers University -Newark
Height
Roof	326 ft (99 m)
Technical details
Floor count	16
Lifts/elevators	9
Design and construction
Architect	John H. & Wilson C. Ely
References
James Street Commons Historic District
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district Contributing property
New Jersey Register of Historic Places
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Coordinates	40°44′41″N 74°10′14″W / 40.74459°N 74.17067°W / 40.74459; -74.17067
NRHP Reference #	78001758
NJRHP #	1275
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	January 9, 1978
Designated NJRHP	February 10, 1977

The American Insurance Company Building is one of the oldest and tallest skyscrapers in Newark, Essex County, New Jersey, United States. Located at 15 Washington Street on Washington Park it was once headquarters for the American Insurance Company and is now part of Rutgers University. The neo-classical tower is a contributing property to the James Street Commons Historic District which also encompasses Washington Park, Newark Museum, and Newark Public Library. In re-opened in November 2015 as student dorms, event space, and chancellor's apartment.

Newark has been a center for the insurance industry since the early 19th century and has been home to Fireman's Insurance Company and Mutual Benefit Life. The Prudential Insurance headquarters are prominent buildings within the Four Corners Historic District.

The American Insurance Company was incorporated February 20, 1846 and commenced business on April 1, 1846. The company maintained offices downtown on Broad Street and later Park Place. A new home office was completed in 1930. The sixteen story neo-classical tower is 326 ft (99 m) tall. A main interior feature is a "great hall" with 20 ft (6.1 m) ceilings and 15 ft (4.6 m) windows. The building was designed by the father and son architectural firm, John H. & Wilson C. Ely, which also designed the National Newark Building and Newark City Hall.