Symphony Place at Hotel Syracuse
(500 South Warren Street)

At the beginning of the 20^th century, Syracuse was enjoying economic prosperity and Downtown was a popular destination for shopping and entertainment. The city center boasted a wide variety of retailers, restaurants, movie houses and theaters, and was home to the area's major passenger railroad stations.  Overnight lodging could be found throughout Downtown, from modest offerings to luxury accommodations.  The Hotel Syracuse, constructed in 1924, was one of the premier hotel facilities in Central New York during this time.  This architectural gem originally housed 612 rooms with baths, retail stores, an emergency hospital, playing courts (on the roof) and elegant dining and reception rooms, which included the Persian Terrace, Rainbow Room and Grand Ballroom.

The Hotel, designed by George B. Post & Sons of New York and comprised of three towers connected by lower wings, is a rich composition of Renaissance Revival details. The base and upper floors are distinguished from the red brick towers through the use of sandstone and terra cotta, vertical banding, and decoration such as quoins, keystones, garland, fluted pilasters, blind niches and lower-level arched windows.  The Hotel remained a viable operation and the subject of repeated reinvestment well into the post-WWII years, when other hostelries succumbed to demolition, decline or abandonment. The most substantial reinvestment was initiated in 1980 and resulted in three additions to the Hotel: a large, first-floor reception room and two second level bridge structures, one of which connected to an adjacent new hotel tower.  The most recent hotel operation closed in 2004 providing the opportunity to consider more creative redevelopment of the property.

Symphony Place at Hotel Syracuse Square is an adaptive reuse project that will house residential, commercial, and retail space.  Symphony Place Apartments is Phase I of the project consisting of 75 penthouse, luxury and market-rate rentals.  The units are marketed to those that want an opportunity to live and experience downtown neighborhood living in a convenient setting.  Amenities include a basement storage locker, 24-hour security, in-unit laundry hookups, electronic access, and professional management staff.  Symphony Place is a true urban living experience where you can walk to work and experience the downtown nightlife right outside your door. The former Hotel Syracuse tower has recently been added to the National Register of Historic Places.

The project is being developed by Ameris Holdings, LTD., and the apartment layouts were designed by a Wooley-Morris Architects.  Prudential First Properties is the sales representative.  The apartments will be available for rent Summer 2008.

The apartment units offered in Phase I of the project are one- and two-bedroom units and are offered at three different finish levels: standard, premium and luxury.  The rent ranges from $1,295/month for a standard one-bedroom at 815 square feet to $2,990/month for a luxury 2 two-bedroom at 1,575 square feet.  Optional features include  Time Warner phone & cable, covered parking, and membership for the fitness center. Parking is available in the Hotel Syracuse Parking Garage - unreserved @ $75/month, reserved @ $85/month (limited availability).

Tourists will be able to view six apartment units on the 14^th floor of the hotel tower.   These upper floors feature premium views of Syracuse, while the lower floors have views of the exciting downtown life. Four penthouse apartments are available with penthouse level finishes. Many of the other apartments have premium finishes. There will be a fitness center available for use in the attached main tower and there is already a street level café open to enjoy.  Each of the apartments  will feature hardwood floors  in the kitchen and living room areas, found in a variety of color variations.  Each bathroom will have tile flooring with a marble threshold.  All bedrooms  will be carpeted .  The kitchen  areas on floors  three, and twelve through fifteen will have granite counter tops; floors four through eleven will have Formica counter tops.   Appliances  will include the range, range hood ,  refrigerator, disposal and dishwasher.   All appliances will be either  stainless  steel or  black.   The apartments come with a laundry hook up  and are built to be heated and cooled utilizing energy efficient heat pumps.

The Lofts at the Syracuse Trust Building
(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 above floors.  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.  Before Blue Cross-Blue Shield was located on Warren Street, part of this building was also another branch of Marine Midland.  An underground passage existed under Bank Alley linking the two buildings so that guards could transport money between the 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 S. Salina St was home to a few offices but remained mostly vacant until this project.

The goal of this historic renovation project is to restore this architecturally significant building into a mixed-use project consisting of four residential and one office condominium on the ground floor.  The interiors of all floors will have first class finishes such as hard wood floors, granite countertops, large open living areas, and stainless steel appliances.  All residential units will be large two-bedrooms and 2 ½ baths.  The "great room" will consist of about 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 kitchen will offer plenty of countertop space including an island with bar seating.  Each unit will have its own laundry and mechanical room as well as additional storage space in the basement. 

The residential condos will offer nearly 2,600 square feet of space.  The fifth floor will be the largest, offering 3,000 square feet complete with an open roof deck and an enclosed living room with a spectacular view.  Each condo will have 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 project will be complete this summer, with the first residential unit ready in June.  There are only four residential units available so reserve yours today!

The project is being developed by Pemco Group, Inc. and Goodfellow Construction Management, Ltd. (GCM Ltd.)  The partners consist of Ryan Goodfellow (Pemco), Pete Muserlian Jr. (Pemco), Peter Muserlian Sr. (Pemco), and Tom Goodfellow (GCM Ltd.).  The architect for the residential units is Gerald Ferro. 

Loew's Residential Suites
(108 West Jefferson Street)

The Loews Landmark Building was designed by renowned architect Thomas Lamb as one of a series of "Beaux Art Entertainment Palaces" built by the Loews family, which coupled a prominent cinema theater with an office building. Completed in 1928, the office building consisted of eight stories with approximately 70,000 square feet, including 10,000 square feet of retail space wrapping around both the office building and the theater.

Eventually, the property was abandoned and scheduled for demolition. In 1977, however, the property was spared from the wrecking ball, and the office building and the theater were legally and mechanically separated. The office building was redeveloped in 1985 by a New York family, spearheaded by Michael Ades. During this renovation the entire office building was gutted and new mechanicals and finishes installed in the property. Leasing for the redeveloped building began in 1986.

The property was purchased in 2000 by Robert Doucette and Richard deVito with the intention of redeveloping a portion of the building into 15 residential units on the 6th and 7th floors. Their open design and high quality finishes and fixtures were a great success from the first day the units went on the rental market. The owners developed an additional 9 units on the 8th floor in 2006 and all units are now offered as condominiums.

Each unit boasts hardwood floors in the living, dining, and kitchen areas, with carpeting in the bedrooms and enclosed dens. All the units have stainless steel kitchen appliances and clothes washers and dryers. The units all have unique layouts and views of the city.

The condo being featured is unit #603, a loft-style unit with nearly 1,400 square feet of open living space.  This unit has a beautiful master bedroom with a walk in closet, an additional guest room/den, one bathroom, and a utility/laundry room.  The open floor plan features a gourmet kitchen at the heart of the condo, equipped with stainless steel appliances, perfect for entertaining dinner guests.  French doors, hardwood floors and a simple, yet elegant, décor give this modern floor plan a cozy feel.  This condo's best hidden "secret" is the brick rooftop patio that overlooks the cityscape, perfect for enjoying a summer afternoon or an evening glass of wine.

Jefferson Clinton Commons
(at the Jefferson Clinton Hotel, 416 South Clinton Street)

Jefferson Clinton Commons is a mixed-use project in Armory Square utilizing environmentally responsible, "Green," building methods and ideologies.  The project will be comprised of two floors of retail and office space (28,935 sf per floor); 18 residential condominium units (3rd & 4th floors); and surface and garage parking (200 +/- cars). The property is located in the heart of Armory Square, across from the Jefferson Clinton Hotel (formerly Hawthorn Suites), a property Washington St. Partners, Inc. redeveloped several years ago.

Residents are able to choose from floor plans ranging in size from 1,200 square feet to 2,000 square feet. All units include two bedrooms; two bathrooms; an exterior balcony or deck; integrated building security, covered parking for residents and surface parking for guests.  Units start at $279,000 and come furnished with granite countertops, Viking Professional Series stainless steel appliances, a wine refrigerator, a Jacuzzi tub, cherry or maple cabinets and bamboo, cork and stained concrete flooring.

The project represents the first residential new construction project in downtown in over 15 years. As an environmentally responsible project, the building construction incorporates a super high efficiency HVAC system, enhanced insulation, high efficiency fixtures and sustainable products. The property is also located in the NYS Empire Zone offering condo owners a 10 year real estate tax abatement. The tax abatement, combined with the ultra high efficiency technologies will save the condo owner thousands of dollars each year, while also helping to save the environment.

Many of the residential units have already been sold and a majority of the commercial space has been pre-leased. The development team consists of Jefferson Clinton Commons, LLC as the Project Sponsor and the selling agent for the condominiums is Washington St. Partners, Inc. 

Please visit www.jccommons.com for more information. Jefferson Clinton Commons will also be featuring open houses in the Jefferson Clinton Hotel from May 10th until the end of the month. Contact Washington St. Partners, Inc. for more details. 315-426-2624 or info@jccommons.com

Center Armory
(133 Walton Street)

The blocks constituting Armory Square were built out by the turn of the 20^th 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.

The project created 38 townhouses and 28,000 square feet of first-floor commercial space.  In addition the complex 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.

Unit #138

The condo being viewed on the tour is perhaps one of the most unique cape-style townhouses in Syracuse.  Offering 1,850 square feet and situated in the middle of a brick courtyard, décor and furnishings are on an executive level.  The condo features a first floor kitchen with breakfast bar, living room, dining room, full bath, a utility room and an office/den.  The second floor offers two large bedrooms with walk in closets and a brick patio off the master bedroom.  The full bath offers a jetted bathtub/whirlpool and separate shower enclosure.  Other amenities include carpeted floors, central A/C, controlled building access, a gas range, and wood floors. 

Developer for the project was Robert Doucette of Armory Development Corporation. Schopfer Architects served as design consultants and ConTegra Service Ltd. was general contractor.

The Amos @ Clinton Square
(214 West Water Street)

Since its inception in the early 1800s, Clinton Square has served as the premier open space in Downtown Syracuse.  It was the city's gritty center for trade and transport along the Erie Canal throughout much of the 19^th century, with the surrounding blocks housing a mix of banks, retail and wholesale businesses, warehouses, and manufacturing plants.  One such commercial property was the Amos Block, built in 1878 by local businessman Jacob Amos, later mayor of Syracuse [1892-1896].

The building, constructed on the site of the Empire State Mills Building, was designed by architect Joseph Lyman Silsbee, who likely incorporated portions of the earlier structure into the Amos Block.  The principal façade, facing East Water Street, is Romanesque in style having round-arched openings, variations in surface texture, and brick corbelling at the cornice line.  The window alignment and articulation of bays, particularly the central pavilions rising to a parapet gable, add strong verticality to the composition.  In contrast, the Erie Boulevard elevation lacks ornamentation, mimicking the utilitarian nature of the Canal it once fronted. The Amos Block is the only known Romanesque commercial structure in Syracuse designed by Silsbee who, after this commission, moved to Chicago to work with Frank Lloyd Wright.

The Amos @ Clinton Square is a newly renovated mixed-use building located in Clinton Square in downtown Syracuse.  Originally constructed in 1878 as a dry goods mercantile establishment along the Erie Canal, the building sat vacant since the 1990's.  The Amos is now a dynamic, urban mixed-use building consisting of retail on the first floor and 19 residential apartments on the upper floors, with sufficient on-site parking for both retail customers and residents of the building. 

Residents of The Amos enjoy such amenities as secure on-site parking in a gated lot, a resident-only fitness center located in the building, washer/dryer unit in each apartment, individual storage units in the basement, and concierge services.  A full-time building manager oversees daily operations of the building. 

The Amos @ Clinton Square is the location of downtown Syracuse's only grocery store-C.L. Evers & Company.  The store features traditional grocery products, including fresh produce, meats and seafoods, deli meats and salads, dry goods, frozen food, etc., as well as a salad bar, gourmet product lines, prepared meals and catering. 

The Amos also features Sasha, a spa/salon that offers a full array of high quality salon and spa services as well as health and wellness programs, all in a relaxing and peaceful setting.

The Amos, with its Romanesque style of architecture, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  The building was originally designed by J. Lyman Silsbee, a prominent Syracuse architect who designed other buildings in downtown Syracuse.  The recent renovation was designed by Walton Architectural Group of Syracuse.  The project was undertaken by Queri Development Company with Lewiston Construction Companies as the general contractor.

The Washington, 4th Floor

The two bedroom unit being viewed is a two-level unit with over 1,500 sf of living space.  On the first floor are the kitchen, living room, a half bathroom, and a den.  The kitchen, which is open to the living room, includes a full range of appliances, including a gas stove with oven, dishwasher, garbage disposal, microwave and refrigerator.  The washer/dryer is also located in a closet on the first floor.  The upstairs includes two master bedroom suites, each with a connected full bathroom.  The larger master bedroom offers a generous tiled shower.  Unit finishes include hardwood floors in the living area, carpet in the bedroom and den, tile in the bathrooms, hard-surface counters/vanities, and wood cabinets.  Unit amenities also include ample closet space, digital phone, cable and high-speed internet access.  Apartment units are equipped with their own furnace and hot water heater as well as central air-conditioning. 

Hanover Square Lofts
(136 East Genesee Street)

By the mid-19^th century Hanover Square was not only a center for commercial exchange but also home to several taverns. The rowdy and sometimes bawdy activities associated with such businesses had some community members condemning those who frequented "Hangover Square."  In an attempt to improve the area's reputation, a public fountain was installed and various civic events were schedule for the new central open space, such as a tribute to Abraham Lincoln in 1865 when his bier was displayed on its way to Springfield, Illinois.  Such occurrences, plus continued prosperity because of the Canal, made the Square more attractive for other respectable businesses; and by the 1870s several older buildings were replaced by new construction to support more gentile establishments.

One of these was the Post Building at 136 East Genesee Street built c1880, which took its name from the principal business in residence, the Syracuse Post-Standard. The newspaper was first associated with Vivus Smith, co-founder of another local paper, the Onondaga Standard, in 1829. When Smith changed political party affiliations, the paper was taken over by his brothers who used the Standard to promote local Democratic initiatives such as abolition and women's suffrage.  In doing so, the Standard was competing with the Republican-leaning Syracuse Post.  Eventually the two papers merged into the Syracuse Post-Standard, with its first edition published at 136 East Genesee in 1899.

Like the other buildings along the south side of the Square, the old Post-Standard Building occupies a very narrow lot, abuts its neighbors at either side, and has an ornate main façade facing the open space. This main elevation is executed in the Richardsonian Romanesque style, and is characterized by windows capped with round-arched hoods and arranged in vertical bands; broad fields of brick with sandstone accents; and first floor storefront with large display windows.

The building was restored in 2001 by the developer, James Monahan of Monahan Development Corporation.  The renovations for the Post Building included detailing and proportions reflective of the 1880's renovations.  The project Architect was QPK Design and the building was designed to preserve any remaining elements.  In areas where the historic components no longer exist, the new improvements have been designed to be consistent with the historic fabric of the structure.  

The property consists of four one-bedroom apartments and four two-bedrooms units.  The units are 1,300 - 1,500 square feet and the rents are $950 - 1,200 per month plus electric and gas. 

Apartment amenities include hardwoods, all appliances, central air-conditioning, laundry room with washer/dryer hook-up, ceiling heights that range from nine to eleven feet, large bedrooms with walk-in closets, elevator access, and an intercom system for building entry. 

Unit #501

This large two-bedroom apartment with its unique style windows has several great features.  The 1,500 square foot apartment is located on the top floor of a five-story apartment building located in Hanover Square.   The apartment offers ample space with ceiling height of 11 feet.  One of the notable features of this unit is the spacious laundry room along with central a/c, hardwoods, large kitchen with plenty of cabinets and all appliances.  The bedrooms are also large, featuring walk-in closets. 

Firehouse #1 Condo's
(106 Montgomery Street)

During the early part of the 20^th century, Syracuse realized substantial physical growth, particularly in terms of its neighborhoods. As a result there was a need to expand city services, including neighborhood fire fighting capabilities, to these areas and many new firehouses were constructed during this time.  Residents and business people alike were proud of the municipality's response to such a critical need, and equally proud of the men who dedicated themselves to firefighting.  The community respect generated by these individuals and the service they provided was evidenced in the high quality facilities designed for their use.  Engine House No.1, built in 1915 on Montgomery Street in Downtown, was no exception.

James A. Randall, a prominent Syracuse architect know for his civic buildings, was commissioned to design many of the fire stations built during this period, including this downtown firehouse. Randall used the neoclassical style for the building, including details such as segmental arched openings, an elaborate frieze and cornice entablature, and brick patterning.  At the ground floor each of the three bays held paired doors, which provided access to the equipment.  The upper levels offered accommodations for the on-duty firefighters, as well as a modest office area.  Engine House No. 1 remained an active station for the City Fire Department until 1955, after which it was used by the city Rescue Squad and First Aid Company until 1970 and then vacated entirely by the department.

The third floor unit viewable on the tour is approximately 2,000 square feet with an open floor plan and two bedrooms. The shape of the building resulted in the unique configuration of the space. The bathroom is accessible from both sides to provide convenience for both residents and guests. The unit is accessible by both the interior stairwell and the private elevator servicing the residential units. The signature feature of the third floor unit is the private rooftop deck. 

The project was completed in 2006 and all units have been sold. The project developer was Washington St. Partners, Inc. (WSP), who also oversaw the construction.

323 East Water Apartments

Like the buildings found along the north side of Hanover Square, most of the original buildings abutting the Erie Canal in the city center were double-enders, structures with one face directly on the Canal and utilitarian in function and architectural detail.  These tightly packed buildings presented an almost unbroken wall along the canal corridor, maximizing access to packet boats and keeping off-loading and transfer to a minimum.  East of Clinton Square this pattern was broken at the Weighlock Building, where the Erie and Oswego Canals met and where canal boats and their cargo were weighed to calculate tolls owed. 

Today that pattern is barely discernible east of the Weighlock, now the Erie Canal Museum.  Only three canal-era warehouses remain along this stretch of East Water Street: the eastern most was truncated when its upper floors were removed in the mid-20^th century, leaving the remaining two, the only discernible canal-era warehouses on the block.  The south elevations of these two buildings are somewhat more stylized than the north, with distinctive stone lintels and sills at each of the rectangular windows of the upper floors, and traditional wood storefronts with large display windows at street level. The north facades originally faced the Canal and likely accommodated block and tackle to hoist goods from the boats and into the buildings for processing.

323 East Water Apartments, is a newly developed mixed-use building with three luxury residential apartments.  Located in the Hanover Square District, it's easily accessible to all highway intersections and within walking distance to all the downtown amenities. The 2 two-bedroom units are nearly 1,100 square feet in size with the third floor three-bedroom unit spreading 1,600 square feet. Electricity, gas, water and shared parking are included in the rent, which is $1,575 per month.  

All units within this building feature hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances, washer & dryer, carpeting, and each bathroom offers marble flooring and granite countertops. 

Unit #3
A 1,600 square foot loft-style apartment is viewable on the tour.  It is located in the Hanover Square District on the "Bennett Block" adjacent to the Erie Canal Museum.  This metro-finished, high-end three-bedroom, one-bath custom apartment features marble and hardwood floors.  As you look up the 14-foot wood paneled cathedral ceiling, you can't help but appreciate the metallic halogen lighting accenting the classic brick lines of this historic unit. It comes equipped with a stainless steel refrigerator,dishwasher, gas fired stove and a washer and dryer. Parking is available as well as views of the downtown skyline.

311 Montgomery Street Luxury Apartments

During most of the 19^th century the area around Columbus Circle, including Montgomery Street, was a residential district.  But with the Erie Canal and City Hall at its northern end, Montgomery held the potential to be more than a neighborhood street.  By the 1890s the nature of the corridor began to change when St. Paul's Episcopal Church was built at the corner of East Fayette and several commercial buildings were constructed between Fayette and Jefferson, with one of the first at 311 Montgomery.  

Built in 1895, the five-story building was designed by architect Henry W. Wilkinson for the Central New York Telephone and Telegraph Company. The elaborate first floor arched entry, which includes intricate details such as an engraved bell on the silver-plated door handle, dominates the main elevation.  The balance of the façade is articulated with decorative brick work and terra cotta ornamentation and, on the interior, each floor has several fireplaces and spectacular wood trim.  In 1906, the property was given to the Onondaga Historical Association, which used it until 2005 as a research and collections storage facility. The high quality of Wilkinson's architectural composition, plus its association with an early local communications company, has earned the property a place on the National Register of Historic Places.

The redevelopment project transformed 311 Montgomery into a mixed-use property with four apartments and one floor of office space. Each apartment has almost 1,700 square feet of living space, designed with diverse living experiences in mind.  The second floor offers a completely open floor plan ideal for live/work accommodations, featuring a fireplace and one bath.  A two-bedroom, two-bath unit is located on the third floor with wonderful views of the Montgomery streetscape. The one-bedroom unit located on the fourth floor offers two baths and a fireplace.  Additional amenities include pocket doors and a custom built steam shower.  The one-bedroom, one-bath unit on the fifth floor offers 1,100 square feet and elevator access into the apartment. 

All apartments feature soapstone countertops; original maple floors; white oak trim; maple cabinetry; 13' ceilings; stainless steel appliances; washer/dryer in unit; elevator access, 24/7 parking garage next door.

The development team consisted of property owners Linda Henley and Russ Andrews, primary contractor Monahan Development, and architectural consultants QPK Design.

The Masonic Lofts
(320 Montgomery Street)

Beginning in the 1890s and continuing into the second decade of the 20^th century, Montgomery Street evolved from a residential avenue into a civic and institutional corridor. Gradually its modest but stately houses were replaced by much larger buildings, particularly along the 300 block.  Following the construction of mixed-use buildings at 305, 311 and 315, seven major projects were initiated on or adjacent to Montgomery within a mere 12 years: the Syracuse Public Library, fourth County Courthouse, YMCA, New York Telephone Building, St. Paul's Parish House, First Baptist Church, and Masonic Temple.  The entire collection, plus Columbus Circle, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Inception, former First Gospel Church and Hills Building, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Montgomery Street-Columbus Circle Historic District.

Of these properties, the Masonic Temple was unique in both its use and design.  It was the only building dedicated exclusively to the functions of a private organization and, as such, included a special collection of rooms.  Constructed in 1915, the five-story, brick building has classical detailing found in both the Neoclassical and Beaux Arts styles, including a wide frieze band beneath the cornice, recessed main entry, and round-arched and pedimented windows.  The interior layout accommodated several large-scale rooms for Masonic ceremonies, including a huge two-story space on the raised first floor.  In addition to classically-inspired ornamentation many room features and finishes incorporated symbols and motifs used by the Masons.

The Masonic Lofts is a rehabilitation project.  The property has been vacant for more than ten years and prior to that was the site of the Metropolitan School of the Arts.  Once complete, the building will offer 31 units ranging in size from 800 to 1,600 square feet with rents varying from $745 to $1600/month.  Residential units offer a variety of flooring types, from re-finished hardwoods, to carpet, to finished concrete flooring.  Other amenities include stove, refrigerator, microwave and dishwasher, with washers & dryers on site. 

The apartments are designed as large open spaces for both living and working (also known as live/work space), making this an attractive setting for entrepreneurs and artists.  Parking is located in the basement for the tenant's convenience.  A certain historic uniqueness is offered within two of the units, where bedrooms are located on former theatre balconies.  The building also features a theatre space that is for rent. 

There are 31 apartments, ranging from 800 to 1,600 square feet. And the project is forecasted to open for occupancy August 1, 2008.

Monahan Development Corporation, under the direction of Jim Monahan, is developer of the project.  QPK Design is providing architectural design services and Hayner Hoyt Corporation will be general contractor.

Plymouth Church (Rest Stop)
(232 East Onondaga Street)

Plymouth Congregational Church is located on East Onondaga Street just south of historic Columbus Circle.  The Church was started in 1858 and designed in the Romanesque Revival style by noted Syracuse architect, Horatio Nelson White, at the behest of a congregation formed in 1853.  The structure was formally dedicated in 1859.  The Church stretches back to the days of slavery, when Syracuse was a stop on the Underground Railroad.     

The 1907 steeple was removed after being badly weakened by gale-force winds.  Four turrets were also removed, leaving a simple but elegant church named after Plymouth Church in Brooklyn, where Pastor Henry Ward Beecher was a well-known abolitionist preacher.  Early members of Plymouth participated in the famous Jerry Rescue and actively engaged themselves in assisting slaves fleeing northward. Although the clandestine nature of the Underground Railroad makes it difficult to document the way stations, a time honored Plymouth tradition has it that the "catacombs" beneath the sanctuary served as a hiding place for escaped slaves.

In 1930, the new wing, with Kirtland Hall, the Parlor, offices and educational facilities were added, as well as the reconstruction of the chancel in Colonial Revival style.  Plymouth Church was placed on the National Registry of Historic Structures in 1997.  Today the church continues to be deeply involved in the life of the community, particularly the people of downtown.  The church's social efforts include one of the first employer-supported pre-school child care centers in Upstate New York.

Stop into the Church just to sit and admire the architecture, or take advantage of one of the scheduled guided tours of the facility.  Scheduled tours will be available at 12:30 and 3:30 pm the day of the event.