Buffalo-based developer SAA|EVI has closed on the purchase of the historic Gateway Building at 150 East Main Street in Rochester, launching a $72.3 million transformation project that will breathe new life into one of downtown Rochester's most prominent landmarks. The seven-story building, which has sat largely vacant in recent years, is set to become a vibrant mixed-income housing community with significant commercial space, according to reporting from the Rochester Business Journal (October 29, 2025).
The Gateway Apartments project represents a significant investment in Rochester's downtown revitalization efforts. The development will create 129 mixed-income apartments ranging from studio to two-bedroom units, with sizes from 875 square feet to approximately 1,800 square feet. The unit mix includes:
All units will be affordable to tenants earning between 30 percent and 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI), making this project a critical addition to Rochester's affordable housing stock. The ground floor will feature approximately 8,000 square feet of commercial space facing a proposed pedestrian courtyard that will connect East Main and Division streets.
The Gateway Apartments project creates significant opportunities for local construction and specialty contractors. General contractor Christa Construction and architectural firm SWBR are leading the design and construction efforts. The complexity of rehabilitating a historic 1895 building presents both challenges and opportunities for experienced construction teams skilled in adaptive reuse, structural remediation, and historic preservation.
Connor Kenney, regional head and partner at SAA|EVI, emphasized the partnership approach: "The design teams at SWBR and Christa Construction have been the best to work with. They have solved countless potential deal-killing problems, including structural integrity problems."
This project reflects a broader trend toward quality construction practices in affordable housing development, with SAA|EVI committed to creating market-rate quality finishes and amenities for income-restricted residents. All units will feature quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, luxury vinyl tile flooring, and ceramic tile in bathrooms. The project will also include resident amenities such as an indoor playground, podcast space, co-work areas, and community spaces designed for modern living.
The Gateway project represents a sophisticated financing approach using multiple funding sources:
This funding structure represents the collaborative approach increasingly common in urban revitalization projects, with public and private partners sharing investment and risk.
The Gateway Apartments project is part of a transformative moment for Rochester's downtown East Main Street corridor. As reported by the Rochester Business Journal, multiple significant projects are simultaneously revitalizing this critical block:
This coordinated development effort demonstrates how large-scale urban revitalization requires multiple developers, public agencies, and financial partners working in concert toward a shared vision.
SAA|EVI plans to have construction crews on-site as soon as possible, with the project expected to take approximately 18-24 months to complete construction. The company's track record is impressive: over the past 15 years, SAA|EVI has developed approximately 5,500 housing units across eight states and the District of Columbia, specializing in adaptive reuse and the transformation of "troubled assets that other developers haven't been able to redevelop," according to Connor Kenney.
For Rochester's construction industry and real estate market, the Gateway Apartments represents both immediate construction opportunities and long-term economic benefits through increased downtown density, tax base growth, and housing supply expansion. The project's success will help establish momentum for further East Main Street development and validate Rochester's downtown revitalization strategy.
The historic mirror-glass façade that made the Gateway Building such a prominent (if blighted) landmark will be removed and replaced with architectural details more closely resembling the building's original design, creating a modern building that honors its past and contributes positively to downtown Rochester's evolving streetscape.
Rochester Business Journal - "Creating a 'Gateway' to affordable living on East Main in Rochester" by Kevin Oklobzija, October 29, 2025
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