ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The First Federal building downtown has a new owner with big plans, and they want to hear from you about what to do with the iconic 21st floor.
Excelsior Communities is converting the building into a mixed-use destination with plans for retail, office and residential space. The company paid $2.8 million for the building.
The top floor of the First Federal Plaza on East Main Street resembles a spaceship and is one of the most recognizable features of the Rochester skyline. News10NBC asked people what should happen to that space.
“I don’t know, you all could put houses in there, hotel, something like that. Something for the community,” Pauly said.
The top floor started out as a restaurant. “The Changing Scene” opened in 1977 to great fanfare — a restaurant that revolved with 360-degree views as you dined. But after 11 years and multiple changes in management, the restaurant closed for good. The rotating mechanism was abandoned and the 21st floor was converted to office space.
Most of the people we spoke with said they’d like to see a return to the past. Barbara Ann Crawford said she wants another restaurant so she can finally experience the space.
“I’ve never been up there, I’m from Long Island. I’ve been up here for about 5 years and I’ve never been up there. I want another restaurant so I can go up there and eat,” Crawford said.
“Just a restaurant, honestly. I mean, what else would you put there. If it was a restaurant before, you might as well keep it like that,” DeMauri Walker said.
Linda Ferraro remembers when the restaurant was a special destination.
“I think Rochester could use something like that. It’s attractive. It would be exciting again. I mean, it was spinning around. I remember my husband wanted to take me up there and propose to me,” Ferraro said.
If not a restaurant, maybe a nightclub, a museum, a hotel or a penthouse suite would be a good fit. At 7,000 square feet, the possibilities are endless. The new owners say they are taking their time and evaluating several directions.
“Used to work in the second floor of the building for a number of years and got the opportunity to go up there a couple times to see it. It’s an amazing view, so I hope whatever they do, it would be something that can be accessible to everyone,” Mike Croce said.
A spokesperson for Excelsior Communities says they are getting started with design plans right away and hope to start construction in the next 12 to 18 months. If you have an idea for “The Changing Scene” space, you can email them at [email protected].
First Federal Plaza in Rochester: New owners open to ideas for iconic 21st floor space WHEC.com.
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