Eastman Dental Dispensary
Preservation Studios worked with developers Home Leasing and Edgemere on the comprehensive rehabilitation of the building, which had been abandoned since 1978. Water infiltration, mold, asbestos, etc. caused advanced deterioration and presented significant challenges. Careful consideration and planning was crucial for in-kind repairs and replication of original features including architectural plaster, millwork, and murals while adapting the building for affordable senior housing. Extensive refinishing was required with all millwork former offices with borrowed light walls were sensitively adapted for units. The grand public entry and gathering spaces were largely preserved in their full volume throughout the first floor.
Address
800 E. Main Street - Rochester, NY
Estimated Rehabilitation Costs (QRE)
$18.2 million
Total Project Cost (QRE + Non-QRE)
$20.2 million
Square Footage
54,000
HTCs
$7.3 million
Timeframe
2015 to 2016
The Eastman Dental Dispensary was completed in 1917 and designed by Gordon, Madden, and Kaelber in the Italian Renaissance style. It was later altered with several small additions on the north elevation made between 1925 to 1936 to link to the original boiler house and a three-story addition created on the west elevation in 1964. Generations of needy Rochester children were served in the building thanks to the philanthropy of George Eastman, the founder of Kodak.
The interior of the building throughout the public spaces of the first floor were richly detailed with intricate plaster ceilings, marble trim, and wood paneling. The upper floors were more restrained in their flourishes, like the operatory on the third floor, which had a simple plaster ceiling with cove detail as the primary decoration.
Preservation Studios facilitated the complete historic tax credit application process in collaboration with Saralinda Hooker Planning & Development.
