Sibley Square

Rochester, NY

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, The Sibley Building, now known as Sibley Square, has been transformed into a vibrant, mixed-use urban center including multifamily, commercial, and retail space. This landmark building, topped by a neoclassical clock tower and featuring tawny Roman-style brick walls, occupies an entire block in downtown Rochester and spans 1.1M square feet. The design and programming, played out incrementally for more than a decade, gained several hundred thousand square feet of office space, and nearly 200 units. Once one of the most prominent department stores in the nation, the iconic structure provides an array of public and private destinations: art galleries, retail shops, adult and child daycare services, cafes, a fitness center, and an expansive roof deck. With more than 23 acres of floor space, this reimagined building is at the heart of the economic rebirth in downtown Rochester and is home to the University of Rochester’s high-tech incubator, NextCorps. Many of the iconic art deco details have been preserved, from the bas-relief sculpture above the original elevator doors to the tri-line pattern on the escalator, and the defining halo ceilings at each entrance. Mahogany panels, modern art, and original photography define the clean, bright, and welcoming lobby space. With short walks to public transit, access to parks, proximity to entertainment, and flexible interior configurations, Sibley Square serves as a catalyst for the rejuvenation of an entire city core into a dynamic, placemaking destination.

Related Projects

• Lovejoy Wharf
• Courthouse Lofts
• 375 Newbury Street