Plans announced to revitalize the former Rochester Riverside Hotel
Governor Kathy Hochul and Empire State Development (ESD) announced Thursday the final plans for an adaptive reuse project that will breathe new life into the vacant Rochester Riverside Hotel in downtown Rochester now known as “120 East Main.”
The hotel will be converted into mixed-use space that will feature the renovation of the building’s third, fourth and fifth floors into 133 hotel rooms, and the renovation of the hotel's eight additional floors into one- and two-bedroom apartments. The plans also include the creation of 161 one- and two-bedroom residential apartments, including 32 apartments that will be affordable to households earning up to 60 percent of the Area Median Income.
In addition, the project will also feature the renovation of the shared 436-space, attached parking garage; upgrades to connect the first-floor public atrium and other common areas, including a soon-to-be-built public riverfront walkway between the hotel and Genesee River being funded through the “ROC the Riverway” initiative and the reactivation of the buildings’ Main Street façade for street-level retail space.
“Our targeted efforts to repurpose the former hotel into a mixed-use facility will improve the quality of life for city residents and create new job opportunities to support a dynamic city center,” Governor Hochul said. “The rebirth of this important downtown fixture will also help us maximize our investment in the ‘ROC the Riverway’ initiative, which is working to reimagine and transform the waterfront along the beautiful Genesee River and will help Rochester thrive for generations to come.”
Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Downtown Rochester is home to some of the world's most talent-rich companies. The transformative project that will repurpose this currently vacant hotel into a multi-use facility will further catalyze the city’s center rebirth, thanks to the “ROC The Riverway” initiative, which is already fueling economic momentum downtown and throughout the entire Finger Lakes region.”
Rochester Mayor Malik Evans said, “The successful re-use of the Rochester Riverside Hotel will fill an important gap between our ‘ROC the Riverway’ program and the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, while also contributing to the success of our treasured Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center. I am grateful to Governor Kathy Hochul and Monroe County Executive Adam Bello for supporting this linchpin development, which will provide a vital link between a vibrant and lively Main Street and an active and engaged waterfront along the Genesee River. Establishing better connections between our city’s natural and manmade assets is helping us create a safe, equitable and prosperous Rochester by inspiring hope and delivering opportunity for everyone.”
Empire State Development is providing a $7 million capital grant for the transformative project. The City of Rochester and Monroe County are also offering assistance to help make the project a reality. The total project cost has been placed at close to $61 million and is expected to be completed in 2027.
Developer Angelo Ingrassia said, “I want to thank Governor Kathy Hochul and her economic development team for their commitment to this project. So much work has gone into creating exciting opportunities for additional tourism coming into this region. She also recognizes the need for new housing options. I appreciate the cooperation of Mayor Evans and the City of Rochester as we all work together to rebuild the downtown sector.”
This project further supports the focused, collaborative efforts of the state, city and regional economic development partners to revitalize the area along the beautiful Genesee River waterfront through the “ROC the Riverway” Initiative which is catalyzing the momentum underway in downtown Rochester. Phase one included 13 projects from the ROC City Skate Park to the Aqueduct Reimagined project. Phase two of the initiative — launched by Governor Hochul — is highlighted by the establishment of High Falls State Park within the historic Genesee River gorge in downtown Rochester.
These continued and targeted New York State investments are working to ensure that areas such as Rochester’s center city are thriving. In June, Governor Hochul was on-the-ground to celebrate the grand opening of leading beverage alcohol company Constellation Brands’ new Broad Street headquarters. Downtown Rochester is currently home to close to 200 innovative companies.
State Senator Jeremy Cooney said, “The conversion of the old Rochester Riverside Hotel will mean a thriving hub in the heart of center city for residents to live and shop and for visitors to experience all that Rochester has to offer. I want to thank Governor Hochul for her commitment to the revitalization of downtown and her focus on improving the quality of life for residents and visitors to our great city.”
Assemblymember Demond Meeks said, “This $61 million revitalization project represents Governor Hochul’s continued commitment to the City of Rochester. As many members of our community still are without quality and affordable housing, this project will provide additional housing options for our residents and families. The revitalization of the former Riverside Hotel will also create additional jobs, attract tourism, and improve the overall quality of life for the members of our community. I look forward to the development's completion and the opportunities it will bring to Downtown Rochester.”
Assemblymember Harry Bronson said, “The strong partnership between State, County and City government has led to increased investment in Downtown Rochester. The redevelopment of the former Rochester Riverside Hotel will transform a challenged vacant property into a commercial asset and key component of the ROC the Riverway initiative, as well as providing jobs to our construction sector.”
Monroe County Executive Adam Bello said, “Monroe County is partnering with New York State and the City of Rochester to revitalize the former Rochester Riverside Hotel along with needed improvements to the Convention Center. I am grateful to Governor Hochul, Mayor Evans and the members of our teams who are working to transform Downtown along our Genesee River,” said Monroe County Executive Adam Bello. “This multi-use project will support local construction jobs, bring needed hotel rooms, develop new housing, and create a more livable and active downtown.”
Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Co-Chair, and Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Bob Duffy said, “We are excited about this revitalization effort and continued investment in downtown Rochester. This transformative project will create additional opportunities for businesses and workers downtown which will reverberate throughout the region and contribute to a thriving economic climate. Thank you to Governor Hochul, Mayor Evans, and Empire State Development for their leadership and collaboration on this vital effort to make Rochester a vibrant place to live, work, and visit.”
Visit Rochester President and CEO Don Jeffries said, “We are excited to see progress and momentum with the redevelopment of the former Rochester Riverside Hotel. A revitalized hotel on Main Street will inject even more vibrancy and vitality into the heart of downtown Rochester and will serve to benefit the local Rochester community and visitors alike. Tourism is a major economic driver in Monroe County and this redevelopment project will have a significant impact on the tourism and hospitality industry at large.”
Additional information about the transformative “ROC the Riverway” Initiative is available here.