2011 Downtown Living Tour Stops

Dey's Plaza - Tour Headquarters & Tour Stop #1
(401 South Salina Street)

The Dey Brothers Building is actually five interconnected buildings constructed and connected over a 76-year period to house the thriving Dey Brothers & Company Department Store. The original Dey Brothers Department Store building was constructed in 1893 on the southeast corner of South Salina and East Jefferson Streets. It was designed by Archimedes Russell in the Italian Renaissance Revival style using post and beam construction.

When the department store opened on May 2, 1894, the first four stories contained the sales floors and company offices. The fifth floor was the stock room serving the entire store. Much of the sixth floor housed the factory of the Deys Patents Company, which manufactured timekeeping equipment. As the department store outgrew its confines of the original building, the firm of Archimedes Russell was again retained to design an addition to the building. A residential parcel on Warren Street, at the rear of the store, was purchased and the house was demolished to make room for an eight story addition to the department store.

Since then, the building has undergone extensive alterations, including the addition of the final, fifth building of the amalgamation, called the Caget Building, constructed in 1968 on the southwest corner of East Jefferson and Warren Streets and abutting both the original Dey Brothers Building and the Warren Street addition. The interiors of the buildings have undergone numerous renovations as they were joined to become one large department store. Further renovations were made in 1994-1995, after the store's demise, when the building was converted into a modern office building, known as Dey's Centennial Plaza.

In October 2010, Paramount Realty Group began construction to turn the upper floors of the building into high-end residential units. Renovation was completed in March 2011, resulting in 45 one- and two-bedroom units. The apartments range in size from 660 square feet to 2,350 square feet and rent between $800 to $1,800 per month plus electric (the cost of gas is included in the rent). The apartments are luxuriously appointed with Brazilian hardwoods, granite countertops in kitchens along with white Carrara marble tiles and countertops in the baths. Each apartment has a washer/dryer and a full complement of kitchen appliances including a wine cooler in the majority of the apartments. There is security personnel located in the lobby twenty-four hours a day and parking is available in the lower level of the building for an additional charge. In addition, there will be a fresh food market on the first floor of the building that is planned for fall 2011. Apartment units #610 and #613 will be featured on the Downtown Living Tour. Unit #610 is the largest unit in Dey's, at 2,350 square feet with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Unit #613 is over 1,600 square feet with one bedroom and one and a half bathrooms.

Tour Stop #2: Syracuse Trust Condominiums

325 South Salina Street

The Syracuse Trust Building was originally built as a multi-floor bank with the bank tellers on the first floor and the offices for the bank on the floors above. The building's original use as a bank is where the gargoyles on the front façade of the building, labeled ‘Thrift' and ‘Waste' derive from. The Syracuse Trust Company was the original tenant in the building, but not the only bank in the building's history. Marine Midland had a branch in the building until 1980. An underground passage existed under Bank Street linking this building to a building on Warren Street so that guards could transport money between the bank branches, without exiting to the street. The passage was blocked off at both ends when the banks vacated each building in 1980. From 1986 to 2007, 325 South Salina Street was home to a few offices but remained mostly vacant until this project.

In 2008, Pemco Group, Inc. and Goodfellow Construction Management, Ltd. began an historic renovation of the building to restore this architecturally significant property into a mixed-use project consisting of four residential and one office condominium on the ground floor. The project was completed in February 2011. All condos have first class finishes such as hard wood floors, granite countertops, large open living areas, and stainless steel appliances. All residential units feature two-bedrooms and 2 ½ baths. The "great room" in each unit consists of approximately 1,000 square feet complete with a two-sided gas fireplace that is visible to the dining room/kitchen and a raised living room area. The kitchens offer plenty of countertop space including an island with bar seating. Each unit has its own laundry and mechanical room as well as additional storage space in the basement. The residential condos offer between 2,200 and 2,500 square feet of space. The fifth floor is the largest, offering 3,000 square feet complete with an open roof deck and an enclosed living room with a spectacular view. Each condo has direct elevator access, opening into the living room via electronic security card access. This building is ideal for young professionals and couples looking to take advantage of what Downtown Syracuse has to offer due to its convenient central location near the many shops and restaurants. The official Tour stop within this building is the condo located on the 4th floor, however, the entire building will be open and viewable.

Tour Stop #3: Central New York Community Foundation

CNY Philanthropy Center, 431 East Fayette Street

The University Club building at 431 East Fayette Street was built in 1917 as the home for the University Club of Syracuse. The University Club of Syracuse was founded to provide a meeting place for the college educated men of the city and to create a forum for discussing a spectrum of current issues. Over the years, the University Club morphed into a private social society and was wildly popular, maintaining a waiting list with hundreds of applicants. Officially occupied on October 1917, the building featured a lush bar, dining room, ballroom, library and twenty comfortable dormitory rooms that could be used by businessmen visiting Syracuse. In 1930, construction began on a three-story addition to the clubhouse that featured handball and squash courts, a gymnasium, steam room, locker room, rub room and six additional dormitories. The private rooms were lavishly decorated with fox-hunt paintings and well-maintained Stickley Furniture. Facing financial troubles in 1986, the Club relocated to the Atrium on Clinton Square before officially dissolving in 1990.

Skaneateles Savings Bank purchased the building in 1987. The first floor was converted into a full-service bank. Renovations of the building included the construction of a drive-up window, elevator and handicap accessibility. Most of the historic elements that had characterized the University Club's dining and social rooms were removed during renovation to create new commercial space. Further renovations were undertaken when Skaneateles Savings Bank was acquired by BSB Bank & Trust in 1999. M&T Bank took ownership of the building in 2007 through its purchase of Partners Trust Bank (BSB Bank & Trust was acquired by Partners Trust Bank in 2003.) M&T Bank sold the building to the CNY Community Foundation on March 31, 2009.

The Community Foundation renovated the building to create the CNY Philanthropy Center, which opened in November 2010. The Philanthropy Center is the headquarters of the CNY Community Foundation and also features additional office space leased to other local private foundations and non-profit organizations and conference rooms available for use by local non-profits. With a goal to secure LEED Silver certification, environmentally friendly elements were incorporated into the renovation design. Techniques such as the use of recycled building materials, opening up spaces to take advantage of natural light and the installation of a vegetation roof lessened the impact of construction and building maintenance.

The Central New York Community Foundation connects the generosity of donors with community needs by making grants to organizations working to enhance the quality of life of those who live and work in Central New York. The Community Foundation annually makes more than $5 million in grants and provides leadership support in the fields of arts and culture, community and economic development, education, environment, health and human services. Founded in 1927, the Community Foundation strives to inspire philanthropy in Central New York. Visit www.cnycf.org for more information.

Tour Stop #4: Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

259 East Onondaga Street

In 1841, land was purchased for a church at the site of what is now the former Cathedral School. St. Mary's, a wooden structure, was one of the first churches in what was then the Village of Syracuse and served about 500 parishioners. In 1872, the present site of the Cathedral was purchased and Archimedes Russell was selected to supervise and complete the construction plan. (Archimedes Russell also designed the Onondaga County Courthouse, the Deys Plaza Building, the First Niagara Building and Park Central Presbyterian Church in downtown Syracuse.) The cornerstone for St. Mary's was laid in 1874. 124 stained glass windows were purchased from the Joseph Mayer Company of Munich, Germany in 1884. The windows feature Saints, Apostles, Prophets and significant figures in Mary's life. The completed church was dedicated the following year. The Roosevelt Organ, which features 3,000 pipes, was added to the church in 1892. St. Mary's was formally dedicated as the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in 1904, at which time the new sanctuary was enhanced with five new stained glass windows and the bell tower was redesigned by Archimedes Russell.

The Cathedral underwent its first renovation in 1958 to insure a safer, more fire-resistant structure. The sanctuary was renovated from a dark, gothic façade to a richer ornamental design and a baptistery was added to the south side of the Cathedral with ceramic mosaics on the side walls depicting symbols of new life. In 1978, the Cathedral underwent further renovations, with the stained glass windows being sent to the J. Gilbert Somers Company of Virginia to repair years of weather damage. The Roosevelt Organ was also shipped to the Shantz Organ Company of Ohio for repair. The most recent renovation of the Cathedral occurred in 1986 to update the Church in accordance with Vatican II. The renovation included the addition of white marble, rose granite and varied hues of blue to the Cathedral, meant to be an artistic blend of the nation's colors, as the Immaculate Conception is the patroness of the United States.

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception will be offering guided tours every 15 minutes from noon to 4pm during the Downtown Living Tour. While the Cathedral is open for the Downtown Living Tour, musicians will perform in the Church including Jonathan Howell, tenor; Nora Fleming, soprano; Joe Carello and Barry Blumenthal, piano and saxophone; Nina Merulla, violin; Peter Cantone, trombone; Nick Blaney, baritone; Maria DeSantis and Keith Condon, vocalists and Timothy Davenport, organist. Please note this tour stop closes 2 hours prior to the end of the Tour.

Tour Stop #5: The Tech Garden

235 Harrison Street

The Tech Garden is an incubation facility that features 33,000 square feet of flexible, high-tech office space in the heart of the vibrant downtown Syracuse business district. The state-of-the-art facility provides the environment and resources required to grow and sustain these early-stage companies. The Tech Garden's mission is to foster the growth of emerging technology companies and support the process of technology commercialization in the region. More than 35 companies, employing over 150 people are housed at The Tech Garden. In addition, nearly 100 college entrepreneurs take courses in entrepreneurship and incubate startup companies each year in our Student Sandbox - a joint initiative with Syracuse University and regional Kauffman Initiative colleges and universities. The Tech Garden is also home to Tech Meetup - a network of nearly 400 creative tech professionals. Visit www.thetechgarden.com for more information.

Brand-Yourself.com and Ephesus Technologies' workspaces will be featured along with the Student Sandbox space on the tour. Brand-Yourself.com is an award-winning toolset that helps professionals proactively manage their online reputation and promote themselves effectively across the social web. Visit www.brand-yourself.com for more information. In keeping with their company's focus on social media, their office features a wall painted like a Facebook page. Ephesus Technologies provides on-site collaboration for industry, universities, and government agencies to incorporate Nanotechnology into commercial, defense, medical, and energy products. Visit www.ephesustech.com for more information. Their office offers features reused office furniture that has been refinished to create a completely original office space design.

During the tour, visitors can also enjoy an art display throughout the building and a video showcasing the companies in the Tech Garden that will play in the building's lobby. The art display features work from the Cortland Cultural Council. The Tech Garden displays approximately 4 art shows a year. The video, created by 20BVideos, highlights the companies housed in the Tech Garden, the groups that The Tech Garden works with, the goals the Tech Garden has accomplished and also helps show the potential that is resting right here in Central New York.

Tour Stop #6: King + King Architects

358 West Jefferson Street

In 2008, King + King Architects unveiled a rendering for the redesign of a warehouse on the near Westside. Built in 1913, the building at one time housed an assembly plant for Case Tractor Supply Co. King + King looked at this project as a great challenge and envisioned it as an educational opportunity, not only for their staff and clients, but for the community at large. In addition to raising the bar and setting a new standard for future sustainable development in our region, this $6 million, 52,000 square foot office building, on the corner of West Street and West Jefferson, is expected to operate as a LEED platinum-certified building, and will be the first in Central New York to earn this designation.

Focused on starting a new chapter in King + King Architect's 143-year history, King + King looked at many neighborhoods all deserving of a catalyst to help fuel economic growth and revitalization. The message of revitalization from non-profit organizations, educational foundations and local companies like the Near Westside Initiative, Connective Corridor, Syracuse University and many others spoke to them. Believing in their missions' to help revitalize the Near Westside by kick-starting economic growth and supporting civic involvement, King + King made the commitment to help this community return a below poverty level neighborhood back to its glory of a once vivacious and economically vital part of Central New York.

Founded in 1868 by Archimedes Russell, King + King Architects is the oldest Architectural firm in New York State and is the fourth oldest in the country. The staff of 70 specializes in the Healthcare, Education and Community markets and are lead by our four partners Pete King, Dave Johnson, Jim King and Kirk Narburgh. Visit www.kingarch.com for more information.

Tour Stop #7: O'Brien & Gere

Washington Station, 333 West Washington Street

Washington Station is the site of the former NY Central Train Station that stood on the corner of Franklin and West Fayette Streets from the 1870s until 1936. In 2006, the Pioneer Companies purchased the two parking lots that existed at the former NY Central Train Station site. In November of that year, they announced plans for Washington Station, with the name signaling the site's past incarnation as a train station. Construction on the $28.5 million structure began in 2008 and was completed in August 2010. The building is the second LEED-certified Class A office building to be completed in Armory Square in two years, after the Jefferson Clinton Commons in 2009.

O'Brien and Gere served as the LEED consultant on its new home, with Washington Station containing numerous green amenities. The roof covering O'Brien and Gere's offices on the fifth and sixth floors is a green roof, featuring plants meant to reduce the building's "heat-island effect." Walls feature extra insulation to maximize energy efficiency and all plumbing fixtures in the building feature a lower-flow model intended to use a minimal amount of water. All heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems in the building are high-efficiency. About 95% of the project's construction waste was kept out of landfills, including recycling cardboard boxes and wooden pallets.

O'Brien and Gere moved its headquarters from Brittonfield Park, in the suburb of Dewitt, to Washington Station in August 2010. O'Brien & Gere is an employee-owned engineering and project delivery company with over 850 scientists, engineers, construction, and operations personnel located in offices across the U.S. The Firm is a leader in providing energy, environmental, water, and facilities solutions. Originally founded in downtown Syracuse in 1945, the firm has expanded over the years to contain over 30 locations nationwide, as well as offices in Puerto Rico and Mexico. O'Brien & Gere's integrated 360° life-cycle delivery model reduces project cycle time and creates value for its public and private sector clients. Visit www.obg.com for more information.

Tour Stop #8: Butler Building Apartments

319 South Clinton Street

The Butler Building is part of a cohesive group of historical, commercial and industrial buildings that is known as the Armory Square Historic District. The original two-floor building was constructed in 1866, with three additional floors added in 1893. A distinguishing feature of this commercial building with its cast-iron storefront is the vertical groupings of the windows under arches. This widely used design was introduced by H.H. Richardson, and developed by Henri Louis Sullivan, both noted architects. The pilasters with ornate capitals separating window bays are Neo-Classical Revival elements. The building was a former home to various businesses related to furniture and household items as well as tobacco importers and wholesalers.

In July 2010, developers Doug Balle and Robb Bidwell purchased the Butler Building with the intention of renovating the building into a mixed-use of commercial and residential space. The upper four floors are currently being renovation into 12 residential units. There will be three one-bedroom units and nine two-bedroom units. Four of the two-bedroom units will be bi-level. The unit size will range from approximately 1,000 to 1,500 square feet. With exposed brick, conduit and spiral ducts and fourteen-foot ceilings, the apartments will have an industrial feel. All kitchens will feature 42-inch Chestnut Maple cabinets with Manhattan-style doors and satin nickel hardware. Each unit will have its own washer and dryer. All units will come with parking by permit at the Clinton St. Garage located to the south of the building.

Tour Stop #9: Center Armory

133 Walton Street

The blocks constituting Armory Square were built out by the turn of the 20th century. With few exceptions, the structures were tightly packed together creating a physical density typical of an urban center. The somewhat gritty nature of these properties was tempered by large ornamented cornices, projecting bays, and detailed wood storefronts, with additional decoration often found around windows and doors and along the roof line. The visual composition of the district, much like its mix of uses, was vibrant and appealing.

But by the 1940s changes in transportation and travel, along with a growing cultural preference for the suburbs, changed the dynamics of Armory Square. Many properties in the district became underutilized or completely vacant, which in turn led to their demolition. The block bounded by Walton, Jefferson, Clinton and Franklin Streets was impacted by this trend, when almost all its buildings were demolished and subsequently, for over 4 decades, these properties were operated as a parking lot. Economic development activities initiated in the 1980s, however, ultimately generated substantial interest in the lot as a development site. Eventually a proposal was put forth to construct a 3-story, mixed-use building on three-fourths of the available land, leaving the western most quarter for a public park. The design of the proposed building was of great concern, as the site is at the center of the National Register Historic District. The resulting composition is a successful adaptation of the surrounding historic architecture, specifically in terms of its overall height and bulk, articulated first-floor storefronts, projecting bays, window types and treatment, materials and color.

With 38 townhouses and 28,000 square feet of first-floor commercial space, the complex also includes a mid-block walkway, reminiscent of historic alleys that once supported the area's warehouses and manufacturers. Parking for residents and the general public is provided in an underground garage accessible by elevator.

Condo #102 is the official Tour stop, and it features the best location in the building with two floors of full wall bay windows that open with full screens overlooking the MOST and Armory Square Park, where summer concerts and festival events take place. The master bedroom has its own private balcony overlooking the MOST, as well as a full California Closet dressing room. The new wall-to-wall carpeting is thick, rich 100% wool. The main floor glows with the most beautiful, new Brazilian Cherry hardwood floors. The kitchen features new custom cabinetry and state of the art stainless appliances, including the refrigerator with dual-drawer freezer and built-in water purifier. This townhouse also enjoys the community's only fully covered patio for weather-protected entertaining and year-round grilling.

Tour Stop #10-a: Jefferson Clinton Commons

211 West Jefferson Street

Jefferson Clinton Commons is a mixed-use project completed in 2009 and is LEED-Certified, utilizing environmentally-responsible, "Green" building methods and ideologies. Located in Armory Square, this project is perfectly positioned for both residents and businesses that wish to take advantage of the modern amenities of new construction (including the green initiatives) and also reside in the center of Syracuse's most interesting and progressive downtown district.

Jefferson Clinton Commons is comprised of two floors of office space; 18 residential condominium units on the third and fourth floors; and surface and garage parking for 280 cars. The property is located on the corner of West Jefferson and South Clinton Streets, across from the Jefferson Clinton Hotel, a property Washington St. Partners, Inc. redeveloped several years ago. Because of this unique partnership with the hotel, Jefferson Clinton Commons is able to offer a concierge package to both residents and commercial tenants that could include amenities such as cleaning services, dry cleaning, meal order and delivery, restaurant reservations, and more.

Most unique to the Jefferson Clinton Commons project is the savings it offers to both residents and businesses alike. As an environmentally-responsible, LEED-certified project, the building construction incorporates a super high-efficiency HVAC system, enhanced insulation, high efficiency fixtures and sustainable products, providing considerable energy savings for both homeowners and tenants. For condominium owners, the project's location in the NYS Empire Zone offers a 10-year real estate tax abatement-lowering the property taxes to just $300+/- annually.

The condominium being featured on the 2011 Tour is condominium #407 offering 1,945 square feet of living space. The ceilings are over 11 feet high with exposed beams and duct work throughout. The condo is located on the top floor of this building. It is a two-bedroom, two bathroom condo. The unit includes Viking professional appliances, custom cherry cabinets and bamboo flooring in the living area. This condo features additional customizations including a custom stacked stone wall, a custom kitchen backsplash, Caesar stone countertops and a custom double shower. There is also secure parking in the garage of the building along with additional storage. Additionally, Condo #402 will also be open during the Tour where interested parties can meet with the developers of this project.

Tour Stop #10-b: Eric Mower & Associates 

Jefferson Clinton Commons, 211 West Jefferson Street

On Dec. 14, 2009, marketing communications firm Eric Mower and Associates (EMA) moved its 115-person Syracuse office to a new collaborative, creative space at Jefferson Clinton Commons in Armory Square. EMA's new office at 211 West Jefferson St. comprises about 35,000 sq. ft. of open space on the entire first floor of Jefferson Clinton Commons, which is a LEED-certified project with the U.S. Green Building Council. Some creative features of the space include energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, lighting and appliances; bamboo floors; café with natural light; 32-seat theater with 12-foot screen, high-definition video and 7.1 surround sound; cloud ceilings that deflect and manage office noise; dual 52-inch flat screen video presentation system in the entrance lobby and outdoor meeting space. The office design accommodates the firm's robust growth and encourages collaboration among team members and professional disciplines. EMA's Syracuse office is one of the agency's "centers of excellence" for business-to-business marketing communications and is the base of operations for Pump Digital & Direct, a new practice group, and EMA Group B2B, which specializes in the delivery of effective marketing communications for business-to-business clients. The Syracuse office also houses a large number of the agency's total public relations staff.

EMA is an integrated marketing communications agency with specialized expertise in business-to-business marketing, public relations and public affairs, consumer advertising, brand promotion and digital/direct/relationship marketing. With offices in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Albany, N.Y.; Charlotte, N.C.; and Atlanta, Ga.; plus a service office in Los Angeles, EMA serves clients throughout the United States. EMA also serves many of its clients through IN, a worldwide network of leading independent advertising agencies in more than 90 countries. EMA belongs to the American Association of Advertising Agencies and IPREX, a worldwide partnership of independent public relations firms. EMA has 215 professionals and estimated 2010 capitalized billings of $220 million. Based on rankings from Adweek, EMA is among the top 20 independent agencies in the nation. EMA is also the only U.S. agency to rank in the annual "Top Agency" lists of Advertising Age, Adweek, BtoB, PROMO and PRWeek. Visit www.mower.com for more information.