New York Construction Report staff writer
Final plans have been released for a major redevelopment project to convert the vacant Rochester Riverside Hotel into a mixed-use building. Now known as “120 East Main,” the site will be transformed into residential, commercial, and public spaces.
Construction is set to begin in 2024, with completion expected in 2027.
The renovation will include the conversion of the hotel’s third through fifth floors into 133 hotel rooms, while the remaining eight floors will be redeveloped into 161 one- and two-bedroom apartments. Thirty-two of these apartments will be designated as affordable housing for households earning up to 60 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI).
Also, the project will include improvements to a 436-space parking garage and the creation of a public riverfront walkway along the Genesee River, funded by the state’s ROC the Riverway initiative. The project will also feature the activation of the building’s Main Street facade for retail use.
The total cost is estimated at $61 million, with New York State providing a $7 million capital grant. The City of Rochester and Monroe County are also contributing to the project’s funding.
“This revitalization project is part of our broader effort to transform downtown Rochester and reimagine the Genesee River waterfront,” Hochul said. “It will create new housing options, attract tourism, and enhance the quality of life for residents.”
“This development will bring new life to a key location in the city and support the continued momentum of the ROC the Riverway initiative,” said Empire State Development President Hope Knight.
The redevelopment is expected to generate construction and permanent jobs
Mayor Malik Evans called it “a vital link” between the ROC the Riverway program and the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, which aims to bring more vibrancy to the city’s core.
The project also has strong support from local lawmakers. State Senator Jeremy Cooney and Assemblymembers Demond Meeks and Harry Bronson all expressed their backing, citing the potential for the project to create jobs, improve housing options, and drive tourism in the region.
The redevelopment is part of a larger effort by New York State to revitalize the downtown area and bring new economic opportunities to the Finger Lakes region. The ROC the Riverway initiative, launched by Hochul, aims to transform the Genesee River waterfront into a more accessible and vibrant part of the city, a news release says.
