With little demand from stores, many downtown property owners have converted former retail space to offices. But Ellicott Development’s recently completed renovation of the former Courtyard Mall site at 460 Main Street is striking, and not in a good way. The ground floor windows have been largely eliminated and the façade arguably looks worse than the circa-1980 metal one it replaced.
The E.W. Edwards & Son department store occupied 460 Main Street until 1937 when it was leased to Neisner Brothers. The Neisner chain operated a variety store at the site for more than 40 years. Neisner Bros. was a “five cent to one dollar” chain of general merchandise stores founded in 1911 in Rochester. The firm was purchased by Ames Department Stores in 1978 and the downtown along with many location other locations were shuttered.
Former Baker’s Shoe Building and Courtyard Mall.
In 1980, the building underwent a complete interior and exterior renovation and opened as the Courtyard Mall. The Permanent Saving Bank occupied the ground floor for a number of years while the basement was a popular food court until the Greenhouse Food Court at Main Place Mall opened. The property was vacated in 1990.
Former Neisner’s facade revealed during renovation work. Photo by Mark Byrnes.
Carl Paladino’s Ellicott Development purchased the property in 1995 for $367,000. During recent renovation work, the terra cotta façade of the former Neisner store was uncovered (photo agove). The New York State Division of Parole relocated from the Donovan Building and occupies 15,000 sq.ft. of office space.
460 Main Street today.
Ellicott Development also owns the adjacent Baker’s Shoes Building where additional retail space plus 12 upscale residential lofts are planned. The status of that project is unknown. Someone hide the dryvit.
Get Connected: Ellicott Development, 716.854.0060
Pearl Street facade and planned residential loft building (right).