City of Rochester
News Release
(Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013) – Mayor Thomas S. Richards, Department of Neighborhood and Business Development Commissioner R. Carlos Carballada, City Council President Lovely A. Warren and Council Members Loretta Scott, Dana Miller and Elaine Spaull joined with officials from Passero Associates and Spoleta Construction in a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of Bridge Square, LLC at 242 W. Main St. Downtown.
The newly renovated Bridge Square building, located at the corner of West Main Street and Cascade Drive, was originally a factory and most recently the Josh Lofton Educational Center. This $7 million investment into renovating a111-year old building has resulted in 67,000 square feet of office, retail, and loft-style residences.
“Downtown Rochester is rising and the transformation of the historic Cascade District is more proof of that,” said Mayor Richards. “Preserving Rochester’s rich heritage and landmark buildings is a priority. Passero and Spoleta have done an outstanding job with this project and we are encouraged by their commitment to Downtown.”
A Request for Proposals issued in 2010 identified this project as a top City priority. Passero Associates, along with Spoleta Construction began renovations of the building in 2011. Passero Associates—a full-service architectural design consulting firm—recognized the design potential in the triangularly shaped building and wanted to be a part of the continued growth occurring at the Cascade District. The firm was previously located on Liberty Pole Way and the high visibility on the western gateway to Downtown was attractive to the company. Passero’s corporate headquarters now occupies the 2nd floor and part of the first floor at Bridge Square.
More than 5,000 square feet of commercial retail space is available for lease on the ground level of this fully-accessible building. The building’s third and fourth floors feature two dozen modern, loft-style residences. Underground parking and a fitness center will soon be available for tenant use.
The development partners insisted on design criteria with a focus on energy conservation and a healthy workplace for its employees. Paints used inside the building contain no harmful 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 to conserve energy. More than 75 percent of the waste from demolition was sent to recycling facilities and a considerable amount of material from the interior of the building was salvaged.
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News Media: For more information, contact City Development Director Bret Garwood at 428-6808.