Much of our region’s character can be found in its
architecture: the homes, industrial buildings, schools, office buildings, and
churches that were built when Rochester’s
star was rising. Now many of these buildings are abandoned or are facing
vacancy or bankruptcy, while new developments and building projects crop up all
around. If these older structures are not preserved, we could lose them; and
along with them, we will lose a part of history.
Some talented and devoted architects,
craftspeople, designers, and builders worked on these buildings. They were
built to last, with quality and beauty as the first priorities. But 100 to 200
years later, they need some help.
This is an updated list of some of the area’s most stressed
places, compiled with help from the Landmark Society of Western New York.
Endangered
RoseInnMansion and Carriage House, 625
Mount Hope Avenue
The former RoseInn
bed and breakfast and its fire-damaged carriage house — one of the most
architecturally distinctive in MonroeCounty — are vacant, and their
future is uncertain.
ParazinBuilding, 208
Mill Street
Built in 1826 as the Selye Fire
Engine Company, this stone building is one of the oldest industrial buildings
in Rochester. It’s the last vacant
structure in the HighFalls
area.
Eastman Dental Dispensary, 800 East
Main Street
The Italian Renaissance-style brick building, built in 1917
by George Eastman as a children’s dental clinic, inspired copies in Brussels,
Paris, Rome,
and Stockholm. It’s been empty
since 1977.
MidtownPlaza
Built in 1962 as the first downtown, indoor shopping mall in
America, MidtownPlaza was successful for 30 years.
Now it needs tenants and a new vision for its future. Can Renaissance Square
help rejuvenate it?
KirsteinBuilding,
Andrews Street
This vacant former eyewear manufacturing facility, built in
1908, is adjacent to the St. Paul Corridor. Perhaps it could take on new life
as more downtown loft apartments.
Erie Canal Stone Warehouse, Clinton
Street, Brockport
This important early 19th-century industrial
building is situated on the south bank of the Erie Canal.
Located in MonroeCounty’s
premier Victorian-era commercial district, it offers a rare opportunity for
redevelopment.
Former St. John the Evangelist
Catholic Church, 2390 West Ridge Road, Greece
This major example of late 19th century Gothic Revival style
is the only historic, stone-constructed church that survives in Greece.
The rare (for our area) sandstone church is vacant and available for commercial
purposes.
Free AcademyBuilding,
13 South Fitzhugh Street
Noted local architect Andrew Jackson Warner designed this
building, which was constructed in 1872-73 and served as Rochester’s
first city high school for 30 years. While it is occupied, the building needs
attention and new tenants.
SibleyBuilding,
228 East Main Street
Designed by J. Foster Warner and built over many years in
the early 20th century, this building housed the legendary Sibley’s department
store. The Urban Land Institute thinks Rochester’s
largest department store is ripe for redevelopment into loft apartments, but
the privately owned building is saddled with financial problems and debt to the
city.
James Cunningham, Son & Co.
Once Rochester’s
largest employer, this massive carriage-manufacturing complex extends along
three blocks facing on Canal, Litchfield, and Silver streets near the Susan B.
Anthony neighborhood. The area has attracted development interest in recent
years, and the Cunningham building seems to be a prime candidate for adaptive
rehabilitation.
SenecaPark
Financial challenges have forced the county to postpone its plan
to pave part of this historic park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, for a
parking lot. But the plan, presumably, isn’t dead, and preservationists are
still keeping watch over it. Rochester
is one of only five American cities with an Olmsted designed park system.
Sts. Peter and Paul’s Roman Catholic Church, 720
West Main Street
One of MonroeCounty’s
most architecturally significant religious buildings, Saints Peter and Paul was
modeled after churches in Florence,
Siena and Rome.
Dedicated in 1912, the church follows the grand basilica form, with a huge
barrel-vaulted ceiling painted in ivory and gold. The church is scheduled to
close.
The Gracey House, 1160 Routes 5
& 20, just west of Geneva
This elegant 1848 Greek Revival-style farmhouse is one of
the most significant examples of cobblestone masonry in the region. The house
should be preserved in its rural context, but it’s located in a rapidly
developing commercial corridor.
Success stories
Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad Station, 320 West Main Street
Three cheers to Nick Tahou’s for
putting an outstanding new roof on the city’s oldest surviving passenger train
depot, located at downtown’s western gateway.
The Flatiron, 3 State Street
Commendations for Mitch Rowe and Tom LaBue,
who saved this cool building from demolition. Go have a cup of coffee and stay
for open mic night to celebrate the rebirth of this
eye-catching building at the corner of State Street
and Lyell Avenue.
Michaels-Stern Building,
North Clinton Avenue
Another example of successful redevelopment of a former
clothing factory into loft apartments, this one was done by Buckingham
Properties.
Esperanza Mansion,
Route 54A, near Branchport in YatesCounty
Esperanza, which means “hope” in Spanish, is aptly named.
One of the great Greek Revival mansions in New
YorkState, it
proves that a building can have nine lives. This landmark mansion survived
eight decades of neglect as well as owners with ideas bigger than their
pocketbooks. Treat yourself to day out of town by taking in a meal at this
restaurant-inn while enjoying one of the most breathtaking views in the region.
Medical Arts Building, 277
Alexander Street
Rochester’s most
glamorous Art Deco address now provides high-rise living. The Billone family spearheaded the innovative and stylish
rehabilitation of this former office building, which emphasizes geothermic
heating and energy efficiency.
This article appears in Apr 26 – May 2, 2006.
