Edge of the Wedge

Buckingham Properties saw potential in the former 44,000 square foot Ward Supply Company building complex on South Clinton Avenue to become a trendy mixed-use destination which could be enjoyed by neighborhood residents, workers, and become a draw for visitors. The development concept included a mix of ground floor commercial space, with loft apartments on the upper floors. The project’s objective was to create a vibrant destination to both blend with and enhance the culture of the existing neighborhood. The name, “Edge of the Wedge,” reflects the building’s location on the dividing block of Rochester’s South Wedge and Swillburg neighborhoods.

A Blend of Old and New

The design process for Edge of the Wedge involved taking an old warehouse and making it compliant for modern building codes while maintaining the popular loft-style feel and preserving original character elements of the building such as the facade, and exposed beams. The building was over 100 years old, with a rich history of uses, including an eyeglass manufacturer, furniture store, and a manufacturing warehouse. The project restored the original façade and the exposed post and beam construction throughout the building. The freight elevator was converted to a passenger cab, and a five-story stair tower was added, providing access to the roof deck as well as an additional exit.

The $5.3 million redevelopment project successfully converted the property into thirty residential lofts with commercial space on the ground floor. Residents enjoy modern kitchens, bathrooms, and amenities, all framed by the building’s original beams.

Retail Tenants Find Success

Ground floor retail space is fully leased. Tenants include The Cub Room, a new American restaurant modeled after The Stork Club’s VIP room in New York City during the time of Prohibition, McCann’s Local Meats, a butcher shop featuring locally sourced meats along with freshly prepared deli sandwiches and side dishes, as well as Glickfit, a personal training and fitness facility.

Both eateries signed leases early in the redevelopment process, and worked with Buckingham to transform the spaces to match their visions. The Cub Room’s lower-level space, once unfinished with wood and dirt floors, now features restored brick masonry, post and beam construction, and large windows. McCann’s Local Meats took existing warehouse space and created an ultra-modern butcher shop while maintaining a sleek, industrial vibe.

McCann’s and The Cub Room have become mainstays in the Rochester community, making Edge of the Wedge a popular destination for Rochester’s foodies. The co-tenants have even fostered a business relationship, with The Cub Room utilizing McCann’s locally-sourced ground beef for their menu’s “Cubby Burger.”

Buckingham Properties was awarded a NAIOP Upstate New York Commercial Real Estate Award in 2015 in the Adaptive Re-Use category.

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Summary

Buckingham redeveloped the 44,000 square foot former Ward Supply building into a mixed-use destination connecting Rochester’s vibrant South Wedge and Swillburg neighborhoods. “Edge of the Wedge” includes thirty residential lofts, and retail tenants on the ground floor, including The Cub Room, a new American restaurant, a butcher shop, McCann’s Local Meats, and a gym, Glickfit.

Completion Date:
February 2016