Since 1929, the 20-story building at 540 Broad Street in Newark has been at the heart of telecommunications in New Jersey.

Designed by Voorhees, Gmelin and Walker, its architecture is classified as "Art Deco," a style known for bold outlines and streamlined and rectilinear forms.

Large sculptures outside, created by American artist Edward McCartan, represent a lineman, two residential customers, an operator and a repairman.  Lobby walls are lined with antique marbles, accented by bronze doors and lamps.

The floor is tri-colored terrazzo with an unusual design of bronze strips.

A mural by Alfred E. Floegel depicts a figure holding a telephone and cables circling the world, symbolic of mankind's control of worldwide communication.

The marble at the entrance to the elevator hall contains crinoid fossils -- ancestors of animals called sea lilies -- and fossilized ammonites, relatives of the modern day nautilus, prized by collectors for their unique shells.

The auditorium was dedicated to Theodore N. Vail, whose vision of universal telephone service and managerial skill forged the organization of the Bell System.