Abar Construction to redevelop 960 Broadway: $6 million project

960 Broaddway - Albany, NY

Albany, NY Abar Construction, led by developer Bill Barber will redevelop 960 Broadway in the city’s warehouse district, revitalizing a property formerly home to the Rodgers Liquor Co., which has been left vacant for two decades. The four-story abandoned warehouse will be converted into apartments and ground floor restaurant space accessible from Broadway.

This $6 million mixed-use residential reuse project will buoy the warehouse district’s ongoing transformation as other proposed mixed-use retail and residential projects in the district are taking shape or just beginning the development process. The city’s Industrial Development Agency Board recently approved an application to provide financial assistance to 960 Broadway, LLC., in the form of New York State sales and mortgage recording tax exemptions. Including construction, the project is estimated to create more than 50 jobs.

When completed, the existing 4-story, 53,000 s/f brick warehouse will have been renovated to include 24 market-rate rental apartments on its upper three floors and 3,000 s/f of ground floor restaurant space with an entrance on Broadway. The existing two-story addition on the south side of the building will be renovated into 2,000 s/f of additional commercial space.

“Mixed-use projects like 960 Broadway are creating new opportunities, and the district is being reimagined once again. New restaurants, retail and residential development projects are steadily taking shape, adding to the warehouse district’s existing strong businesses and historic industries,” said Sarah Reginelli, president of Capitalize Albany Corp. and city of Albany IDA CEO.

Barber is poised to tackle additional projects in the warehouse district, announced in April the conversion of the Nipper building (991 Broadway) to apartments would be just phase one of a four-phase, $70 million development project. The plan includes more than 150 additional apartments in a set of newly constructed buildings with retail space and multiple levels of indoor parking. As part of the $15 million phase one, Nipper would sit atop 65-75 residential units, the first floor would include more than 7,000 square feet of retail and office space with 180 parking spaces.

Adjacent to downtown Albany, the warehouse district was highlighted in Capitalize Albany’s Impact Downtown Albany strategic plan as a critical complement to the momentum driving growth in the downtown core. 960 Broadway was targeted as one of a number of priority projects in this strategic redevelopment plan for the district. The warehouse district is thriving with a rush of new interest from developers around the region.  Its access to the Hudson riverfront, availability of character-rich vacant warehouse spaces, and eclectic mix of vibrant businesses make it attractive for investment.