| Inspired development has turned this once abandoned factory district on the western edge of downtown into a thriving residential and commercial center. Spectacular loft apartments and Tribeca-style loft offices share public spaces, including balconies and conference rooms. The result is a true merging of "lifestyle and work-style" in an urban environment.
To search for commercial office space, residential rental units, and a wide variety of service and amenities and entertainment options in the neighborhood, check out the Cascade District entry in the Interactive Map.
History
Like much of Rochester's 19th century buildings Downtown, the Cascade district was a manufacturing area with blocks of factories and warehouses. Prior to the construction of I-490 and the Inner Loop, the area adjoined the historic Corn Hill neighborhood where many of the business owners had residences. A few of these landmark houses are still found in the neighborhood surrounded by office buildings. During the urban renewal of the 1960s many buildings were torn down for parking and new construction while others became vacant. It wasn't until the 1990s that the value of these buildings, with their barrel-vaulted brick ceilings and expansive spaces, caught the attention of real estate developers.
Future
The successful adaptive reuse of the Knowlton Building on Cascade Drive in the late '90s changed the future of this once desolate corner of downtown. Demonstrating that there was a market for high-end residential and commercial development on downtown's west end, the success of the Knowlton project has drawn many other development proposals for the remaining existing buildings and parking lots.
Festivals
Any depiction of life in downtown Rochester would be incomplete without a reference (in this case a hyperlink) to the innumerable festivals enjoyed by our residents. They include: the Rochester International Jazz Festival; the Corn Hill Festival (arts, crafts, and foods spread throughout this historic, riverside neighborhood); the Rochester/High Falls International Film Festival (held annually at the George Eastman House's Dryden Theatre and the downtown Little Theatre); the Image Out/ Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (hosted annually at the Little Theatre); the Clothesline Festival (artists from the region and beyond on the grounds of the Memorial Art Gallery); the Park Avenue Merchants Festival (another local favorite that covers Park Avenue from Culver to Alexander); the Lilac Festival (world famous for its hills and dales of lilac bushes, this Festival also boasts top-shelf music and shopping); the Rochester Music Festival (a reflection of the changing music scene, the Music Festival is ever-evolving); and the Cold Rush Winter Celebration. (The Cold Rush highlights the wide range of activities available across four seasons in our region). Want to get an even closer look at what's driving the excitement about downtown living? Join this year's Inside Downtown Tour! |
