Excelsior Communities buys First Federal Plaza in downtown Rochester with plans for a major mixed-use redevelopment

Rochester, New York – First Federal Plaza, one of downtown Rochester’s most recognizable high-rise buildings, has a new owner as Excelsior Communities moves forward with plans to give the property a new purpose.

The company announced it has purchased the building on East Main Street and intends to transform the existing office property into a mixed-use destination. The planned development is expected to bring together residential, office and retail space under one roof.

The purchase marks a significant change for a building that has long been part of Rochester’s downtown skyline. Rather than keeping the property focused primarily on office use, Excelsior Communities says it wants to create a place where people can live, work and shop.

“This is much bigger than the acquisition of a building,” said Ami Notis, vice president of Excelsior Communities. “First Federal Plaza has the location, architecture and presence to become one of the premier destinations in Rochester. Our vision is to bring together premier living, premier office and premier retail while taking full advantage of the building’s incredible floor-to-ceiling glass and its position directly along the Genesee River. We believe activating this property and the riverfront can create new energy that extends well beyond the building and helps lift up the entire west side of the river.”

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The building’s location is a central part of the company’s plans. First Federal Plaza sits along the Genesee River, giving the property a prominent position in downtown Rochester and an opportunity to connect the building more closely with the surrounding riverfront.

Excelsior Communities said its vision goes beyond renovating the high-rise itself. The company sees the project as a way to bring additional activity to the area around the property and create what it describes as new energy along the west side of the river.

The planned mix of residential, office and retail uses could also change how the building functions throughout the day. Instead of serving mainly as a workplace, the property is expected to become a destination with multiple uses and a broader connection to downtown.

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For Rochester, the purchase puts a familiar part of the skyline on a new path. Excelsior Communities now plans to build on the property’s existing architecture, riverfront location and large glass windows as it works toward its mixed-use vision for First Federal Plaza.