Dec 1, 2022
Designed by architect Andrew Jackson Warner and built in 1891, this City of Rochester-designated landmark is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Originally constructed in 1891, it served as a seminary for many years before being converted into a mixed-use senior complex in the 1990s using historic tax credits. By 2018, the occupied property required substantial investment to restore its historic character, improve tenant quality of life, energy efficiency, and refinance maturing debt. CB St. Bernard's LLC embarked on an ambitious rehabilitation project.
The project consisted of the occupied rehabilitation of 147 existing senior affordable apartment units and the renovations of existing office space and a masonry power plant outbuilding into 13 new senior affordable apartment units for a total of 160 units spanning one to six stories across six buildings. Exterior work included the complete replacement of original red slate roofing and copper flashings, brick and stone masonry restoration, historic window restoration, and the installation of large solar arrays on the two flat roofs. Especially challenging was the rehabilitation of a nearly fully occupied building during the 18-month construction phase. The project was phased to allow for residents to stay in their apartments as long as possible, then temporarily moved out while their specific unit was being renovated. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic occurred during the first quarter of the project, work had to be suspended in some areas, impacting the project phasing and schedule.
The project team included Edgemere Development (consultant), PLAN Architects (project architect) Catenary Construction (masonry restoration), Spring Sheetmetal and Roofing (roofing), and Baldwin Real Estate Group (housing management).
The $27.98 million project made use of State and Federal Historic Tax Credits and other funding sources. St. Bernard's Park, owned by CB St. Bernard's LLC, is now restored to its former excellence, and will continue to serve the community for many years to come.
Courtesy of The Landmark Society of Western New York