Inside Downtown 2013 by CITY Magazine

INSIDE

DOWN

TOWN  TOUR



FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4 5:30-8:30pm

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5 11am-4pm

HUGH AND MARY CLARE HAMLIN

Landmark Members

WELCOME TO INSIDE DOWNTOWN 2013

Paul M. Whitbeck, Lawyer

wills & trusts family law • DWI real estate The “McKim, Mead & White Skyscraper” The Alliance Building

183 East Main Street

Telephone 585 • 454 • 7545

I would like to welcome you to the 2013 Inside Downtown Tour! This tour embodies preservation. You will see firsthand how adaptive use can transform buildings, neighborhoods and entire communities. Once-vacant buildings are now dynamic resources that house small businesses and homes, create jobs, contribute to our local tax base and solidify investment in a given area. Your visit to this year’s sites will confirm that such buildings are good for the community – and are also interesting, unique and even spectacular spaces. Western New York is fortunate to have so many historic resources remaining that represent so many opportunities. Creative use, adaptation, is essential to not only save our heritage, but to also encourage further investment in our community. The sites on this year’s tour provide a great example of preservation’s role in enhancing our quality of life. Thank you to all of the sites that graciously agreed to open their doors. Thank you to all our volunteers that make this event possible. And, thank you to all those attending the tour. By attending this tour, you will not only enjoy seeing some great spaces, but you will support The Landmark Society’s important work. Enjoy! Wayne Goodman Executive Director The Landmark Society of Western New York

TOUR COMMITTEE

Find Your Place!

Anthony Bellomo, Chairperson Cindy Boyer, Landmark Society Director of Public Programs Carolyn Haygood, Landmark Society Community Relations Associate Cynthia Howk, Landmark Society Architectural Research Coordinator

Caitlin Meives, Landmark Society Preservation Planner Tour Photography: David Boyer, Cindy Boyer Tour Descriptions written by Cindy Boyer and Cynthia Howk.

TOUR

Apartments • Condos • Houses • Lofts •

ONLINE ANYTIME!

RentRochester.com

TICKETS ADVANCE TICKETS $22

Order by phone: (585) 546-7029 x11

Order online at

Landmark members

www.landmarksociety.org

may purchase discounted tickets directly

On sale at

from The Landmark Society only

The Landmark Society

(online, phone or in person.)

133 S. Fitzhugh M-F, 9 to 4 pm

Tickets available during the tour

www.landmarksociety.org

($25, if not sold out)

Parkleigh

Sales open 30 minutes prior to tour times

215 Park Avenue

2 | INSIDE DOWNTOWN TOUR GUIDE 2013

Nothnagle, Inc. 217 West Main Street

THANK YOU TO OUR

SPONSORS TITLE SPONSORS

Hugh and Mary Clare Hamlin SUPPORTING SPONSORS

NEW TOWN HOMES

starting at $178,023 Spacious 2 bedroom plus den, 1 ½ baths, full basement, garage, deck. Just steps from shops and restaurants!

NYS Affordable Housing Corp.

GRANTS OF UP TO $35,000*

Available for first time home buyers *Income and other restrictions apply

OPEN HOUSE 11AM-1PM

9/28 & 9/29 and 10/5 & 10/6

WWW.ULREDC.ORG 585-454-5710

and the members of The Landmark Society The Landmark Society is partially supported by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

THANK YOU! Many thanks to the volunteer Site Managers, Site Hosts and all Landmark Volunteers who supported this tour. We couldn’t do it without you! The Landmark Society is Grateful to the building owners and residents that opened their homes to us, including: Buckingham Properties Cravings on Main Christina Felsen Deborah and David Garand Knowlton Associates Nothnagle, Inc. Law Offices of Pullano & Farrow PLLC Passero Associates Pike Stained Glass Studios

Robin and Ron Plummer Riverview Rochester, LLC Leslie and Arnie Rothschild Rochester Art Supply Spoleta Management Services LLC The Traikos Group Blair Unger and Stephen Rees Zacarah Realty, Inc

We very much appreciate Rochester Downtown Development Corporation and the “Red Shirts” for being our Friday night on the street ambassadors. LANDMARKSOCIETY.ORG | 3

INSIDE DOWNTOWN TOUR 2013

NEIGHBORHOOD INFORMATION The Inside Downtown Tour incorporates urban environments where folks are creating exciting spaces to live and work. We visit re-purposed spaces, renovated homes, lovingly preserved places, and newly built sites that are designed with sensitivity to the overall built environment. Basically, we get you “in” on the latest urban living trends. Tour Neighborhood. This year we’re getting you inside places in the Cascade District. We toured some of the buildings there seven years ago. A lot has changed, and there are quite a few “brand new” old buildings experiencing new life. The “Plus” is because there are two projects a little outside the District that we just couldn’t resist: The Academy Building on

11 Centre Drive - the Daily Record Building.

Fitzhugh Street, and the newly opened to Buffalo” – aka Main Street. No wonder

es, spectacular city views, and congenial

it was a flourishing area for manufactur-

neighbors? The repurposed buildings

Neighborhood history: What do paper

ing and warehousing, people and goods

here were among the first to incorporate

boxes, pianos, soda syrups, dead bodies,

could be easily moved. It’s still bordered

a celebration of the original materials,

horse carriages, and nerdy eyeglasses

by transportation routes: today it’s West

rather than hiding them in imitation of a

have in common? They were all either

Main Street, Plymouth Avenue, the Inner

suburban interior. Brick, exposed beams,

made or stored in the Cascade District.

Loop, and Route 490.

and other remnants of earlier days in-

lofts at 44 Exchange.

sure residents and visitors enjoy a place

The Knowlton Building manufactured machinery that made paper boxes. A

The Bridge in Bridge Square? The Cas-

busy piano factory was in the area, as

cade District has another name – it is the

well as several stables housing carriages

Bridge Square Historic District, listed in

A few of the buildings on the tour have

and horses. Soda syrups were concoct-

the National Register of Historic Places.

been adapted for mixed use – a com-

ed in the Bridge Square Lofts building.

The District is not named in honor of the

bination of apartment lofts and com-

The “nerdy eyeglasses” are the Art-

490 overpass that borders the western

mercial offices; notably Bridge Square

Rim Clubman style, created by ArtCraft

end of the area. The Erie Canal used to

Lofts, The Knowlton Building, and The

Optical in the 1940’s and still fashion-

cross just about where 490 is today – a

Daily Record Building. This makes very

able today. And the dead bodies? The

lift bridge enabled Main Street traffic to

efficient use of the structures – with

City Morgue was built here in 1901, and

get over the canal, and was raised up to

most of the commercial spaces busy

continued operation for 60 years. All of

let taller boats pass through – yes, just

during the day, and the private homes

these spaces now have new life as work

like the bridge in Fairport.

occupied mostly in the evening.

Living or Working Here While those

Cindy Boyer

100 years ago the neighborhood was sur-

routes mean to the current residents is

Director of Public Programs

rounded by transportation routes – major

ease of travel pretty much anyplace they

The Landmark Society of Western New York

railroad lines, the Erie Canal (where

want to get to. But who wants to leave,

Broad Street runs today) and “the road

when you have lofts with expansive spac-

with a unique character.

places and homes.

4 | INSIDE DOWNTOWN TOUR GUIDE 2013

LANDMARK SOCIETY

FAQ’S

You might not know much about us. Or, maybe you’ve come on the house tour, seen our website or our magazine Landmarks, or noticed a quote from one of us in the newspaper when building preservation issues come up. But you’re still not sure – so here are the Frequently Asked Questions, answered at last!

What is The Landmark Society?

We are a private, nonprofit, membership based organization that has been affecting Rochester’s community since 1937. Private means we are not funded directly by the government, nonprofit means that everything we earn goes to support our advocacy and education activities, and membership based means member dues provide a major portion of our revenue.

1937 – Are you really that old?

Yes! We are closing out a fantastic year of celebrations during this 75th year. Mark your calendars for a really great party – our Diamond Jubilee Celebration on November 17th! Join us to celebrate our past and future successes!

Can Anyone Join?

Yes – we welcome and depend on all sorts of members, from those who want to get involved hands on, to those who are simply happy to support our mission and preservation activities with their membership dollars.

Mission?

Our mission is to protect the unique architectural heritage of our region and promote preservation and planning

practices that foster healthy, livable, and sustainable communities.

encourage investment and revitalization of community pride in those areas.

How do you do that?

We work to help our community understand that historic preservation is planning, not freezing buildings in a past time zone. It’s about wise use of resources, improving the local economy and community identity, and enjoying and understanding how our environment affects our quality of life.

(taking a deep breath:)We help to foster adaptive reuse of older buildings, host an annual preservation conference, advise homeowners about rehabilitation, conduct historic resource surveys and publish award winning publications. We train and inform local government on urban planning and design strategies, and we champion the value of embodied energy in a green environment. We are stewards of over 37 properties via covenants as well as operating the Stone-Tolan House Historic Site and the historic Ellwanger Garden. We offer a host of other events besides the house tour to inform and delight participants.

Wow. Does it really make a difference?

Yes! Abandonment of architectural treasures is all too common in many places, but here in Rochester we helped achieve the preservation of East Avenue, Mt. Hope, Corn Hill and many other beautiful neighborhoods. We even successfully lobbied in the 1960’s to change inappropriate zoning and helped create upstate New York’s first ordinance protecting historic buildings. Now, we identify and protect the next wave of historic resources of the recent past, as well as advocating for tax credits. We’re also active in working with less traditional “landmarks.” This year our African-American Landmarks Task Force is identifying places and spaces important to the African-American local experience, to

RAFFLE!

How can you possibly do all of that?

Dedication, determination – and support from Landmark Society volunteers, members and the community at large!

How can I find out more?

Visit our website at www.landmarksociety. org ; sign up for our semi-weekly emailed newsletter, or – join us! We’d love to have you as part of the team at whatever level works for you. If you join before the Inside Downtown Tour, you can get $17 tour tickets (advance ticket price only, must be purchased from The Landmark Society) - a savings of $5 per ticket.

Inspire. Encourage. Advocate. JOIN. Make a positive impact.

Proceeds of this event (and all of our activities) support our mission to protect the unique architectural heritage of our region and promote preservation and planning practices that foster healthy, livable, and sustainable communities. Because EVERYONE deserves to live in a vital, interesting, green community.

A free raffle for ticket holders, for a Landmark Society Deluxe Gift Package including a household membership, Historic New York book, Erie Canal Legacy book, and two tickets to the Diamond Jubilee Gala!

LANDMARKSOCIETY.ORG | 5

INSIDE DOWNTOWN TOUR 2013

TOUR STOPS You may visit tour stops in any order. Tour Stop numbers are for reference to the map on the tour ticket.

Tour Headquarters, #1 217 West Main Street Nothnagle, Inc

Year Built: 1880s-1910s Look on the exterior: This group of three, contiguous buildings features different types of brick, window design, and renovations that span a 100-year period. The latest renovation added the dramatic glass wall and entrance on the east side of the building. You’ll enjoy knowing: Before Nothnagle

(above) Bridge Square Lofts. PHOTO BY DON CORCORAN

(right) The Cascade District.

started the repurposing of this building in 2009, it had been empty for a decade. They opened in 2011, providing a vital anchor to this section of downtown Rochester. These buildings originally over looked the Erie Canal (now Broad Street). Don’t Miss on the inside: The expansive atrium, and the original materials still visible in some of the office areas.

You’ll enjoy knowing: Many of you may recall this building as the Josh Lofton High School. The building originally housed the J. Hungerford Smith Company, which produced flavored syrups and soda fountain products. Today it’s been redeveloped by Passero and Associates, who insisted on design criteria with a focus on energy conservation and a healthy workplace for its employees. Paints used

Tour Stop #2 242 West Main Street Bridge Square Lofts and Passero Associates

inside the building contain no harmful

offices living wall in Passero’s , roof deck weather permitting

chemicals, insulation of outside walls is made from soy, reclaimed wood was used throughout the building and lighting in perimeter offices is operated on sensors

Tour Stop #3 69 Cascade Drive

The Knowlton Building

Year Built: c.1900

to conserve energy. More than 75 percent

Look on the exterior: Once greatly

of the waste from demolition was sent

altered, the original windows have been

to recycling facilities and a considerable

Year Built: 1895

restored on the exterior. Also note the

amount of material from the interior of

Look on the exterior: You will see the

handsome Syrian (round) arched entrance

the building was salvaged.

name “Knowlton” and the date of the

on the Cascade Street elevation. This

Don’t Miss on the inside: This building is

building up in the pointed gable, at the

building was originally next to the Erie

listed in the National Register of His-

very top of the building’s façade.

Canal and its W. Main Street lift bridge,

toric Places and its recent renovation

You’ll enjoy knowing: Originally housed the

which is reflected in the new name of the

has taken full advantage of the original

M.D. Knowlton Paper and Box Company, it’s

building and the surrounding “Bridge

industrial design with tall, open spaces

typical of the late 19th century manufactur-

Square Historic District.”

now adapted for both apartments and

ing structures, with rows of very large win-

6 | INSIDE DOWNTOWN TOUR GUIDE 2013

DOWNTOWN LIVING IS

HOT!

A legitimate housing boom is taking place in downtown Rochester. Wealthy retirees, young professionals & students are flocking downtown where they find:

URBAN NIGHTS EVENTS

• A DENSE, VIBRANT, WALK-ABLE ENVIRONMENT • COOL LOFT SPACES WITH OPEN LAYOUTS • LIVING SPACE WITH ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER & MODERN AMENITIES • UNPARALLELED SKYLINE VIEWS

feature

DOWNTOWN’S HOTTEST RESTAURANTS & EVENT VENUES For more info, visit www.rochesterdowntown.com email rddc@rddc.org or call 546-6920.

Is downtown living for you?

THE INSIDE DOWNTOWN TOUR on Oct 4 & 5 is a great opportunity to get a glimpse into downtown living. You can also search anytime for downtown lofts & apartments on

11 Centre Drive - the Daily Record Building.

WWW.ROCHESTERDOWNTOWN.COM

dows. It wasn’t to provide the workers with a view, but to illuminate the work spaces with as much natural light as possible. Don’t miss on the inside: You’ll visit the Law Offices of Pullano and Farrow, as well as a private loft residence. Don’t leave without seeing the unusual “brick art” on the first floor.

NEWS.MUSIC.EVENTS. MOVIES.RESTAURANTS. ART.THEATER.ROCHESTER.

Not a stop but worth a look: Note the Italian Renaissance style brick building at 70 Cascade Drive, across from the Knowlton Building. This handsome structure served as the City Morgue from 1901 until the early 1960’s.

Tour Stop #4 11 Centre Drive

Daily Record Building

ONLINE AND IN PRINT. NOBODY DOES IT BETTER.

Year Built: 1904

ROCHESTERCITYNEWSPAPER.COM

Look on the exterior: The building is six bays wide on Cascade Drive and nine bays

@ROCCITYNEWS

/CITYNEWSPAPER

CONTINUES ON PAGE 8 LANDMARKSOCIETY.ORG | 7

TOUR STOPS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 on Centre Park, which is the side where you’ll find the entrance. Pilasters dividing the bays continue above the roofline, and the cornice is decorated with a dentil motif in brick. You’ll enjoy knowing: The Daily Record historic sign is a reminder of when the newspaper occupied 12,000 square feet for 30 years, before moving to its current location Four Corners location in 2008. Buckingham Properties retained the sign when they developed the building into mixed use commercial and residential. Don’t Miss on the inside: Please note you must climb 2.5 stories to reach the apart-

85 Allen Street - Buckingham Commons.

150 West Main Street

ment – but we think you will find it well

In 2005 developer Larry Glazer purchased

worth your effort when you see this spec-

the building and renovated it into residen-

tacular living space. Note how installation

tial and commercial spaces, and it has

of varying floor levels has been used to

been pretty much fully occupied since.

“Cravings on Main” invites you to stop

differentiate use of space without putting

Look on the exterior: You’ll see that the brick

in for complimentary light refreshments

up dividing walls, maintaining an open flow

exterior is actually painted – which is histori-

during tour hours. “Cravings” has been

throughout the home.

cally accurate, as the bricks are soft and this

a downtown mainstay for 12 years. They

protects their exterior from weathering.

normally offer breakfast and lunch

You’ll enjoy knowing: Some apartments

weekdays, and catering around the clock.

on the 7th floor have charred marks on

Complimentary refreshments are for tick-

their ceiling from a fire many decades ago

et holders only, while supplies last. You

The large, open factory spaces have been

may also purchase items from their menu

creatively adapted for residents and office

of delicious and imaginative sandwiches,

workers, alike.

salads and more!

Tour Stop #5 85 Allen Street

Buckingham Commons Year Built: 1904 About this building: Built for the Pullman Manufacturing Company “The oldest and largest sash balance works in the world” the company moved in 1911, and

Don’t miss on the inside: Weather permitting, the thing to not miss is the roof-top

Rochester Art Supply is a unique local

deck, with the best view in Rochester and

business with over 50 years of fami-

overlooking Frontier Field.

ly-owned service. The store is housed in a building that is over 100 years old- com-

the building housed a number of other tenants. In the 1930’s the ArtCraft Optical

plete with original tin ceilings and brick walls. The retail store serves the local

company moved in, manufacturing high

Tour Stop #6

quality eyeglass frames here for over 60

Your refreshment and shopping stop!

years. Both companies are still alive and

158 West Main Street

well in the Rochester area.

Cravings on Main

RECEPTION! 8 | INSIDE DOWNTOWN TOUR GUIDE 2013

Rochester Art Supply

area, but their online store at ‘fineartstore.com’ has a huge global customer base. In addition to sales, they also manufacture encaustic art supplies –

New This Year! A reception of complimentary light refreshments (while supplies last) for ticket holders at Cravings on Main, 158 West Main Street. Their menu of delicious salads, sandwiches and more will also be available for purchase.

Loft • Office • Home Keep the charm & architectural character of your historical building Locally Owned - Professional Advice

WWW.MFLUMBER.COM 120 Stonewood Ave. (just off Lake Ave) • 585.663.0430 1230 Lehigh Station Rd. Henrietta • 585.334.5500

13 South Fitzhugh - The Academy Building. pigmented wax, the oldest known form of easel painting. Encaustics are experiencing resurgence in popularity as a “green” medium. They’ve extended their store hours to be open during the tour – stop in and enjoy their wares – they’ve got something for the dabbler as well as the professional artist. See if you can hear Lester, the store’s friendly resident ghost (decades ago, the building was Lester’s Hardware)- and enjoy the creak of the great vintage wooden floor!

Li v e/ Wo r k at

Tour Stop #7 North Plymouth Terrace Year Built: 2013 These custom rowhouses are new construction, just opening this year. The structures were built with appropriate choice of materials, as well as the scale of the homes. The brick façade is a wonderful compliment to the historic

Nestled in the heart of the N e ig h bo r h o o d o f th e Ar ts

surroundings in the neighborhood. The rowhouses are owner occupied, which adds to a mix of living options in the area since many of the other sites are rental units.. Greywood Custom

NE W

U n ique Retail S h o p s & To p Notch R e s taur a n ts!

B r and N e w R e ta il S pa c es a nd Lu x ury Lof t s S t i l l Avai lab le!

Homes will have a furnished home open for your enjoyment. CONTINUES ON PAGE 10

C a ll K at h y for a vi e w i n g 4 4 2 - 9 061

s t e r n p rop e r t i e s . c om

D o n’ t miss th is ch ance to ge t in on Ro ch e s t e r ’ s H o t S p o t!

LANDMARKSOCIETY.ORG | 9

TOUR STOPS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

Tour Stop #8 13 South Fitzhugh

The Academy Building Year Built: 1872 (date in front gable) Designed by noted architect Andrew Jackson Warner Look on the exterior: Look for High Victorian Gothic Revival details – steeply pitched roof, vertical pointed elements, combined with Second Empire influenced mansard roof. Not how the use of different stone materials, rather than paint, provide color detail on the façade. You’ll enjoy knowing: The Academy Building was constructed on the site of the first school building in Rochester, and served the Rochester School District for many years – first as a high school and later as home to the administrative offices. Don’t miss on the inside: The owner is generously opening many spaces in the building, please plan on at least 30 minutes to visit this site. Each apartment is unique, with original architectural features preserved in many of them. Be on the lookout for a few “clues” that tell you how some areas were utilized when the Free Academy served as a school.

44 Exchange Boulevard. Look at the exterior: The church was designed by architect Josiah R. Brady of New York City, one of the early propo-

Tour Stop #9 17 South Fitzhugh Street

nents of what came to be known as the Gothic Revival. The building is actually

Tour Stop #10 44 Exchange Boulevard

styled after a New England Meeting

Year Built: 1959

House, but with many Gothic features,

Architect: Carl Traver of Rochester

including the tower of 90 feet, pointed

Look on the exterior: A sleek Internation-

“Two Saints” church will be open and host-

windows and arches throughout the

al–style building, its silver exterior was

ed by congregation members during our

building, and other features.

originally highlighted with cranberry-col-

tour hours. There will be a special treat

You’ll enjoy knowing: Col. Nathaniel

ored, horizontal panels. The windows were

on Saturday during the tour: at 12 noon the

Rochester, founder of our city, worshiped

originally designed to open from a central

church will hold its annual “Blessing of the

in this very building, which was restored to

pivot (they’re now hinged). Originally, the

Animals” service. It will take place in front

its pre-Civil War appearance in the 1960s.

building was only two-stories, but an addi-

of the church, weather permitting.

Note the side galleries and decorative

tional two stories were added later.

Year Built: The cornerstone was laid in

“faux” painting on the columns, which

You’ll enjoy knowing: This building is lo-

1824, making this the oldest public building

resembles marble. The triple-tiered altar

cated on the former north bank of the Erie

in continual use in Rochester.

is unique in western New York.

Canal (now Broad St.), which was drained

The Episcopal Church of St. Luke and St. Simon Cyrene

10 | INSIDE DOWNTOWN TOUR GUIDE 2013

by 1920. The building is one of the young-

which allow for great views of the skyline

windows. Pike has created windows for

est structures to be listed in the National

and surrounding buildings.

hundreds of churches over its more than

100 year history.

can actually be opened and were specially

Location: 180 St Paul Street (Near corner

designed to look like the original 1959 sash,

of Andrews Street) in the SMITH GORMLEY

Don’t miss on the inside: The colorful glass

ALSO OPEN DURING THE TOUR: Pike Stained Glass Studio

wall tiles by the elevators – now restored,

is hosting an open house tour during

building with a sandstone façade. Use the side

they were previously hidden under later lay-

Inside Downtown. They’re outside the tour

entrance facing Andrews Street, take elevator

ers of wall panels. There is a different color

area but well worth the trip to see a 3rd

or stairs to the second floor to suite 203.

scheme for these tiles on each floor. Note

generation leaded glass studio that cre-

Parking in studio neighborhood: On street

the “ribbon windows” in every apartment,

ates and repairs stained and leaded glass

parking only

but with better insulating feature.

BUILDING, the third building on the left from the inner loop. It is a six story, red brick

TOUR

MAP

217 West Main St. – Nothnagle, Inc. TOUR HEADQUARTERS

7 North Plymouth Terrace

242 West Main St. – Bridge Square Lofts and Passero Assoc.

8 13 South Fitzhugh – The Academy Building.

69 Cascade Dr. – The Knowlton Building

11 Centre Park. – Daily Record Bldg.

Please note: many spaces open in the building, allow at least 30 minutes.

9 17 South Fitzhugh – St. Luke’s and St. Simon Cyrene’s

Please note: apartment at this location requires climbing 2 flights to access.

Episcopal Church.

85 Allen St. – Buckingham Commons

Please note: 12 noon on Saturday the annual Blessing of the Animals

“Your refreshment and shopping stop!” 158 West Main St. –

service will be held.

Cravings on Main: complimentary light refreshments, food for

44 Exchange St.

purchase. 150 West Main St. – Rochester Art Supply: browse amazing art materials in a vintage store setting.

Parking LANDMARKSOCIETY.ORG | 11

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12 | INSIDE DOWNTOWN TOUR GUIDE 2013