Empire Commercial Construction updating
Arbor Midtown wedding venue

Rochester, NY Empire Commercial Construction, a retail-focused division of national general contractor Taylor, The Builders, was awarded the construction contract for Arbor Midtown, located within the historic Lincoln-Alliance Bank building at 183 E Main St.

In collaboration with the developer/building owner, 183 East Main Street, LLC and Hanlon Architects, Empire will be restoring and reimagining the 12,000 s/f former grand ballroom of the building originally constructed in 1926. This third luxury event space for the professional team at Arbor Venues, owned and operated by Agathi & Co., will be hosting events by late summer 2023.

“Empire is proud to continue their relationship with The Linc development team and establish a new relationship with the owners of Arbor Venues,” said Empire president, Jayne Penepent. “This latest phase for the reuse of a historic building in the heart of downtown Rochester not only continues to reactivate another architectural jewel but offers another luxury wedding venue for our city to showcase.”

The 15-story Lincoln-Alliance Bank building, originally capped by a coned spire, was a focal-point of the city skyline when it was completed in 1926. Almost 100 years later, this is one of the final phases for the 167,000 s/f adaptive reuse project featuring 131 luxury apartment units, one floor of amenities and retail space, and the floor soon to be dedicated to the event space. Having natural stone travertine flooring, marble-clad columns, hand sculpted wall friezes and floor to ceiling windows, the restoration process will restore all the historic elements while modernizing and brightening the aesthetic.

Arbor Midtown can accommodate up to 450 guests or 320 guests with a ceremony and dance floor.