Before The Rockcliffe became a beloved residence perched on First Mountain, the site was home to the grand Hotel Montclair. Established in 1907, the hotel welcomed long-term summer guests and notable visitors, including New Jersey’s 33rd governor, John Franklin Fort. Accessible by trolley, carriage, and car, its signature touches included a sunroom, an artesian well, and an English grill and taproom. For three decades, the hotel served as a social hub overlooking Montclair and the valley below.

The Hotel Montclair closed in 1938 and was razed in 1940 when The Rockcliffe Apartments, designed by the esteemed architectural firm Sugarman & Berger, rose in its place — ushering in a new chapter of refined residential living. Today, The Rockcliffe continues that legacy, offering views, tranquility, and community within the architectural elegance of a bygone era.