Princeton U. Is Moving Historic 91 Prospect Ave. Here’s How They're Doing It

PRINCETON, NJ – We told you earlier that February will see many road closures in Princeton, as the University prepares for the construction of the Environmental Science (ES) and School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) building.

For this, they will be moving the historic building at 91 Prospect Avenue. And move begins Thursday.

The building, which served as the home of the Office of the Dean of Research, will be rotated 180 degrees and relocated across the street, adjacent to 114 Prospect Avenue. This process is expected to happen on Thursday and Friday.

Starting Feb. 13, the building will be turned to face in the opposite direction, placed on a rolling rig and transported to the other side of Prospect to where a new foundation is being built.

Following the move, the building will be fully renovated to include additional offices and conference spaces.

To hoist the building, steel beams and hydraulic jacks were placed below the first floor. The hydraulic jacks lifted the building to allow the movers to place dollies below the steel beams. The dollies will be used to rotate the historic building.

According to the University, the rotation process will take around three days. It will take an additional day to roll the building across the street and set it up on the new foundation.

Princeton University said it began preparations for moving the building last June. To make this transition, the University first moved the Victorian home at 110 prospect Avenue behind 114 and 116 Prospect Avenue.

These homes will also being restored and 110 and 114 will be used as residences, while 116 will contain offices.

The University had initially proposed to demolish these three homes to make way for the relocation of 91 Prospect. But they were met with severe backlash from the community and local government. More: Princeton U. Prospect Ave Plan Not Endorsed At Special Meeting

Later the University agreed to preserve the four buildings. More: Princeton U. Compromises On Prospect Ave., Saves Historic Homes

Due to this move, parts of Prospect Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic until the end of February.

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