The Preservation League of New York State selected the DePaul Carriage Factory Apartments in Rochester to receive a 2015 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 consisted of converting the five-story former Cunningham Carriage Factory (that served as one of the oldest manufacturing plants in Rochester) into 71 affordable and supportive apartment units. Construction began on the building in April 2013 and it celebrated its grand opening in December 2014.
SWBR preserved much of the existing building and transformed the historic factory into a new, functional living space by adding a fully renovated central entry, new doors, windows and elevators, and a centralized community room for the residents. 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 building now serves as a welcome reminder of Rochester’s craftsman heritage.