| Downtown Rochester is divided by the Genesee River which starts with a great arc as it passes Corn Hill and then continues through a series of spectacular falls as it flows towards Lake Ontario. On both banks of the river from Main Street to Andrews Street lies Rochester's visitor-oriented Convention District. Comprised of three major hotels and the Rochester Riverside Convention Center, the district is often the first view of downtown for a newcomer to the area.
A walk along the river is enhanced by landscaped walkways and pedestrian bridges that offer beautiful views of the river and its bridges. These include the Main Street Bridge with its cast iron railings designed by world renowned Rochester sculptor Albert Paley. The Convention Center, designed by architect James Polshek, is one of the area's few examples of 1980s Post Modernism. It features world class facilities and a glass-enclosed atrium with decks overlooking the river, and has won the prestigious Prime Site Facilities Award every year since 1994.
To search for commercial office space, residential rental units, and a wide variety of service and amenities and entertainment options in the neighborhood, check out the
Convention District entry in the Interactive Map.
History
For many years downtown turned its back on the river, to the point where the Main Street Bridge was lined with tenements that completely blocked any view of the waterway. On the West Bank the notorious Front Street followed the river and was home to rough and tumble bars, open markets, and saloons complete with spittoons and wild characters. During the rebuilding of the 1960's and '70s, the infamous Front St. disappeared to be replaced by hotels and office buildings.
The land now occupied by the Convention Center has an even more controversial past. A classic Greek Temple-style bank building with huge marble columns was torn down to make space for the Center despite protests by preservationists. Several of its columns were ultimately saved and can now be found in various locations downtown and throughout the city.
Future
Future plans call for a continuous riverwalk that will enable a visitor to follow the riverbank from Genesee Valley Park to Corn Hill, past High Falls, and beyond to the harborfront at Lake Ontario. The Broad Street Bridge at the south end of the Convention District once contained an aqueduct that carried the Erie Canal over the river. The original aqueduct with its archways beneath the bridge and spectacular river views has recently been proposed as a site for redevelopment.
Festivals
Any depiction of life in downtown Rochester would be incomplete without a reference (in this case a hyperlink) to the innumerable festivals enjoyed by our residents. They include: the Rochester International Jazz Festival; the Corn Hill Festival (arts, crafts, and foods spread throughout this historic, riverside neighborhood); the Rochester/High Falls International Film Festival (held annually at the George Eastman House's Dryden Theatre and the downtown Little Theatre); the Image Out/ Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (hosted annually at the Little Theatre); the Clothesline Festival (artists from the region and beyond on the grounds of the Memorial Art Gallery); the Park Avenue Merchants Festival (another local favorite that covers Park Avenue from Culver to Alexander); the Lilac Festival (world famous for its hills and dales of lilac bushes, this Festival also boasts top-shelf music and shopping); the Rochester Music Festival (a reflection of the changing music scene, the Music Festival is ever-evolving); and the Cold Rush Winter Celebration. (The Cold Rush highlights the wide range of activities available across four seasons in our region). Want to get an even closer look at what's driving the excitement about downtown living? Join this year's Inside Downtown Tour! |
