Bergmann moving HQ to Tower280; Buckingham Properties and Morgan Management currently renovating the property

According to Buckingham Properties and Morgan Management, Bergmann Associates will move its Rochester headquarters to Tower280 (formerly known as Midtown Tower) in the fall of 2016. Bergmann will become the primary tenant in the building occupying the entire 55,000 s/f second floor. The 17-story iconic tower, once a regional destination and hub of activity, is currently being renovated by Buckingham Properties and Morgan Management. Originally designed by Victor Gruen, Midtown Plaza was the first urban indoor shopping mall in the United States when it opened in 1962. Bergmann's 190 Rochester-based employees will be moving from First Federal Plaza on East Main St., where they have called home for the past 15 years. Bergmann has been diligently evaluating space alternatives in the city of Rochester for the last 18 months. A relocation team, led by chief operating officer Pete Giovenco, asked an internal committee of 25 employees to review and analyze a number of important factors. "The committee's feedback was quite valuable in our decision," said Giovenco. "After all, the employees should have a loud voice in where they will work and the amenities that are most essential to them." Some of the factors important to staff were parking, safety, community connectivity, contemporary feel and image. "As the first major tenant in Midtown Tower, a Rochester landmark that has sat vacant for years, Bergmann Associates planned move is a true testament to the fact that Downtown Rochester is indeed undergoing its renaissance," Mayor Lovely Warren said. "I expect many more businesses to follow Bergmann's lead and locate to what will soon be, once again, a hub of activity in our Center City. I also want to acknowledge Buckingham Properties, a key partner in bringing our downtown back to life, and with that we'll be able to attract more jobs, make for safer neighborhoods, and have more access to a quality education for our children." Ken Glazer, Managing Partner at Buckingham Properties states "Bergmann Associates relocating to Tower280 sends a genuine message to our community that Rochester has indeed turned a corner and downtown is quickly becoming an attractive option for all types of businesses. The interest we are seeing at Tower280 only reinforces our belief that this community and its dedicated leaders will be successful in creating a thriving City Center." "We are absolutely thrilled that Bergmann Associates is our first major tenant for Tower280. This announcement is an extremely positive moment, not only for Tower280, but also for the revitalization of downtown Rochester. Tower280 is a $59 million project that includes over 180 beautiful, modern apartments and three floors of retail/commercial space," Bob Morgan, CEO of Morgan Management.