One of several mansions in Newark that were built in the late 19th century for wealthy beer barons, the Kastner Mansion was built for brewery owner Franz J. Kastner.
This brick and brownstone building is significant for its use of the Chateauesque style, a unique choice in New Jersey, and its importance to the city’s history as the former beer brewery center of the United States.
The building served as a private residence until 1957, and later served as a casket factory before becoming the home of Newark Lodge 93 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks. At the turn of the 21st century, the building was in disrepair and unoccupied.
Several efforts to restore the historic mansion for use as a community center stalled, but plans were moving forward with the support of the city until an accidental fire in 2019 seriously damaged the building.
As of late 2022, the Kastner Mansion is unlikely to be restored owing to the substantial damage of the fire as city leaders are exploring the cost of demolition.
