Rochester, N.Y. – Downtown’s newest office building is on track to open in July.
Windstream’s move into the building is highly anticipated, because it will be the first structure to open on the Midtown Plaza block since the mall was torn down.
The former Seneca Building was stripped to its steel skeleton and rebuilt by Pike Construction at a cost of about $19 million. Workers are installing carpeting and other fixtures.
“I like to think of this whole project as a tipping point for Rochester,” said Rufus Judson, President and Chief Operating Office of Pike Construction.
Windstream will move several hundred workers to the first two floors in July. The third floor is for lease. The Cabot Group, which is the leasing agent, believes businesses are returning downtown.
“You’re going to see lots of folks walking around downtown again, a revitalization and energy. We’re already feeling the buzz from others who have contacted us about participation in the building,” said Daniel Saperstone, Vice-President of the Cabot Group.
The Midtown Tower project is next. Buckingham Properties and Morgan Management plan to spend $55 million to turn the building into apartments. Retail and offices will occupy the first few floors. The developers are in talks with the city over how many spaces will it obtain in the Midtown garage and what they will pay.
There are still several remaining parcels where the mall once stood.
“I’ve said all along, midtown is something that will probably take 10 years to develop,” said Mayor Tom Richards.
This year, the street grid will be constructed. There will also be a park in the center of the property.
“By this time next year, it’s going to be an entire new dynamic,” said Judson. “There’s going to be a park that’s added. We have wonderful peers developing other projects around us.”
