ROCHESTER, NY – On May 5, 2026, SWBR joined community leaders and project partners to break ground on Gateway Apartments, setting in motion the transformation of a long‑vacant downtown landmark at 150 East Main Street into a vibrant, mixed‑income housing community.
Once known as the Gateway Center, the seven‑story, 186K SF Gateway Building is being reimagined as part of a broader investment to reinvigorate the East Main Street corridor and address Rochester’s urgent need for quality affordable housing. Spearheaded by developer SAA|EVI, the $41M project brings renewed purpose to a structure that has anchored the skyline since 1895.
Our design team led collaborative visioning sessions to shape 129 mixed‑income apartments, from studios to two‑bedroom units, tailored for residents earning between 30-80% of Area Median Income (AMI). Interiors will feature quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, luxury vinyl tile flooring, and ceramic tile bathrooms, complemented by upgraded mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and structural systems.
Tenants will also benefit from a range of shared amenities, such as an indoor playground for families, remote work stations, podcast and creative space, and other gathering areas envisioned for modern city life. At street level, an 8K SF commercial hub will activate the ground floor and front a new pedestrian courtyard linking East Main and Division streets, enhancing walkability and reinforcing downtown Rochester as a dynamic live‑work‑play destination.
The aging, mirrored glass facade will be removed, exposing the remaining historic architecture. The design team rehabilitated what could be salvaged of the original character, infilling with modern materials where necessary. Arching windows along the south elevation and complementary square openings to the east and west will reclaim visual rhythm and transparency providing a more inviting streetscape that honors the building’s legacy proportions and presence.
“Gateway Apartments shows what’s possible when we reinvest in the buildings that define our city,” noted SWBR Design Director Rob Fornataro, AIA, who serves as the project’s Principal in Charge. “Adaptive reuse at this scale is complex, but the result will be worth it: creating much-needed housing that feels rooted in our identity while looking to the future.”
SWBR is serving as Lead Designer and Architect of Record, working alongside longstanding partner Christa Construction (Construction Manager) to carefully orchestrate the rehabilitation, balancing preservation with high-performance energy standards.
The project is made feasible through a public‑private financing model, including 4% Low Income Housing Tax Credits, Restore NY grants from Empire State Development, HOME funding from the City of Rochester, and developer equity. Together, these investments represent a significant commitment to the Greater Rochester region, supporting local construction jobs today and laying the foundation for continued growth with expanded housing supply, density, and tax base.
The development is expected to welcome its first residents in 2027.