DePaul Carriage Factory Apartments in Rochester to be honored

Preservation League Announces Annual Awards

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Before, interior - SWBR Architects

ALBANY, NY (04/27/2015)(readMedia)-- The Preservation League of New York State has selected the DePaul Carriage Factory Apartments in Rochester to receive an award for Excellence in Historic Preservation.

The League's statewide awards program honors notable achievements in retaining, promoting and reusing New York State's irreplaceable architectural heritage.

"The Cunningham Carriage Factory was built for the production of horse-drawn carriages, and output changed with the times – from automobiles and ambulances, to tanks and airplanes. After some 80 years, production ceased and the building was on the verge of collapse," said Jay DiLorenzo, President of the Preservation League. "In recent years, Rochester's Susan B. Anthony neighborhood has enjoyed significant revitalization of its residential and commercial properties, but - until now - its industrial section remained largely vacant and underutilized. The Carriage Factory now provides affordable housing and serves as a complement to the ongoing revitalization of the surrounding area. New York State has so many buildings that currently stand as symbols of the decline of upstate industry – success stories like this provide a positive model for other communities across the state."

The project team included DePaul, a not-for-profit developer of supportive housing; SWBR Architects; The Community Preservation Corporation of Albany; Christa Construction of Victor; historic preservation consultant Michael Puma; DJ Parrone Associates; and Betts Housing Partners LLC of Albany. The project utilized Low Income Housing Tax Credits and State and Federal Historic Tax Credits and received support from the New York State Housing Trust Fund; Finger Lakes Economic Development Council; and the City of Rochester.

The five-story, 73,000 square foot Cunningham Carriage Factory was one of the oldest manufacturing plants in Rochester. The rehabilitation restored many of the defining elements of the building, including exposed brick, natural light, and original ceiling heights. The former atrium in the center of the building, long since tarred over, was re-glazed to create a bright and welcoming community space. Industrial pollution was reversed through brownfield remediation and a once-decaying hulk now serves as a welcome reminder of Rochester's industrial heritage.

"The Carriage Factory Apartments provided a special opportunity to memorialize the important manufacturing efforts that took place at this site for nearly 80 years," said Joe Gibbons of SWBR Architects. "The James Cunningham name was revered all over the world as makers of high-quality transportation vehicles, from coaches and carriages to airplanes. As we repurposed this building, we wanted to pay special attention to respecting its historic identity while connecting its proposed use to the future of the community."

The awards will be presented at the Preservation League's Awards Ceremony in New York City at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13th at the historic New York Yacht Club, 37 West 44th Street.

The complete list of award winners is: Daniel Conkling House – Rensselaerville, Albany County; Lafayette Lofts – Buffalo; The Tishman Building – Buffalo; DePaul Carriage Factory Apartments – Rochester; El Barrio's Artspace PS 109 - New York; Pier A Restoration and Adaptive Reuse - New York; Remington Lofts on the Canal - North Tonawanda, Niagara County; and Rye Meeting House: Sustainable Preservation, Ecology and Conservation – Westchester County.

"With our annual awards program, the Preservation League explores not just the present, but the future of historic preservation. Many of the 2015 award winners provide valuable examples for others by incorporating energy efficiency techniques, adaptive reuse strategies and Federal and State Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits," said DiLorenzo. "Each year, we are impressed by the number and variety of laudable nominations, and this year was no exception. We are delighted to celebrate the renovation of the DePaul Carriage Factory and to commend all members of the project team for their leadership and vision."

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The Preservation League's Excellence in Historic Preservation awards program is funded by a generous grant from the Arthur F. and Alice E. Adams Foundation.

The Preservation League of New York State invests in people and projects that champion the essential role of preservation in community revitalization, sustainable economic growth, and the protection of our historic buildings and landscapes. We lead advocacy, economic development, and education programs all across the state.