Harper's Corner Project Brings New Housing, Commercial Space to Downtown Rochester

Four long-vacant historic buildings at one of downtown Rochester’s most prominent intersections have been transformed into affordable housing and commercial space through a $12.8 million redevelopment project that state and local leaders say will help fuel continued investment in the city’s urban core.

Local leaders and community stakeholders gathered for ribbon-cutting celebrating Harper's Corner project.

Gov. Kathy Hochul on Monday announced the completion of Harper’s Corner, a mixed-use development located at the intersection of East Main Street and North Clinton Avenue. The project rehabilitated four historic commercial buildings into 11 workforce housing apartments and four affordable storefront spaces aimed at supporting local entrepreneurs.

The redevelopment replaces years of vacancy and deterioration at a gateway corner of downtown Rochester, restoring historic architecture while creating new residential and commercial opportunities.

“Harper’s Corner is turning a blighted intersection into a vibrant mixed-use destination that will create new opportunities for residents, entrepreneurs and small businesses in downtown Rochester,” Hochul said in a statement. “By restoring these long-vacant historic buildings and creating affordable housing and commercial space, this project is helping strengthen Rochester’s urban core while preserving the architectural character that makes the city unique.”

The development includes approximately 4,350 square feet of ground-floor commercial space divided into four storefronts, each with its own entrance along Main Street or Clinton Avenue. The spaces can also be combined to accommodate larger tenants.

Above the retail level are 11 apartments reserved for households earning up to 80% of the Area Median Income under a 50-year affordability agreement with the City of Rochester. The units include five one-bedroom apartments, five one-bedroom-plus-office apartments, and one two-bedroom apartment.

The project was designed to preserve the buildings’ historic character while incorporating modern energy-efficiency standards. Renovations included masonry restoration, historic window repairs, preservation of original tin ceilings, and restoration of terrazzo and tile flooring. The all-electric development earned certifications through multiple energy-efficiency programs, including Energy Star Multifamily New Construction and EPA Indoor airPLUS.

The redevelopment was financed through a combination of state, federal and local funding sources. New York State Homes and Community Renewal provided $2 million in subsidies, while the state's Downtown Revitalization Initiative contributed $4 million. Additional support came through historic tax credits, Empire State Development programs, NYSERDA, and a $1.2 million contribution from the City of Rochester.

The project was developed by Home Leasing, a Rochester-based developer with a long history of adaptive reuse and affordable housing projects.

Home Leasing CEO Megan Houppert said the redevelopment restores vitality to a long-neglected landmark and creates a place where people can once again live, gather and invest in the city’s future.

The project’s name honors Martha Matilda Harper, a Rochester entrepreneur widely credited as a pioneer of the modern beauty salon industry and retail franchising. Harper, a contemporary of Susan B. Anthony, became the first female member of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce and later built a network of more than 100 salon franchises. She was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame.

Rochester Mayor Malik Evans said the once-neglected intersection now symbolizes the city’s progress and growing downtown population.

“This vital street corner in the heart of downtown Rochester, where we have more people living now than ever before, no longer represents neglect,” Evans said. “It’s now a sign of progress, unity, and the potential that exists within our city.”

Monroe County Executive Adam Bello called the project a transformative investment that will create new opportunities for businesses, attract investment and strengthen the local economy.

Harper’s Corner is one of several Rochester projects funded through New York’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative, which has invested $1 billion in downtown redevelopment projects across the state since its launch in 2016. Rochester was awarded DRI funding in 2018 as part of the Finger Lakes region’s revitalization strategy.

State officials say the project also aligns with Hochul’s broader housing agenda, which seeks to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide through a five-year, $25 billion housing plan. According to the governor’s office, more than 6,000 affordable homes have been created or preserved in Monroe County under those efforts, including more than 4,700 in Rochester.