Syracuse, N.Y. — The long-vacant former Addis Department Store in downtown Syracuse is coming back to life as a place for upscale living.
Developers Tim Lynn and Joe Gehm and BBL Construction Services have nearly finished turning the top three floors of the five-story Addis building into 18 apartments (15 one-bedroom and three two-bedroom units).
The $6.1 million project ran into delays earlier this year when construction was shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic. But eight of the 18 apartments are already pre-leased. Tenants can start moving in Sept. 1.
The apartments feature 11-foot ceilings, granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, wine fridges (in addition to full-size refrigerators), and in-unit washers and dryers.
Tenants will have use of a rooftop deck that will be equipped with grills and provides impressive views of nearby Axa Towers, the Marriott Syracuse Downtown and the under-construction Salt City Market. They also will have access to a fitness center to be built in the building’s basement.
The building’s art deco facade and W.I. Addis Co. sign on the front of the building are being restored. Little of the interior of the department store remains. Its old elevators have been replaced by a single modern one. One exception: The door to the store’s safe was saved and is now a conversation piece on a hallway wall on the 5th floor.
Monthly rents range from $1,350 to $2,200. High-speed internet is included. Parking is available at nearby garages and lots but is not included in the rent.
The one-bedroom apartments range from 690 square feet to 1,025 square feet. The two-bedroom units are 1,235 square feet. Leasing information is available on Apartments.com.
Opened at 449-453 S. Salina St. in 1929, W.I. Addis Co. was known as an upscale department store and was a downtown landmark until it closed in 1992. It’s been vacant for most of the last 28 years and fell into disrepair until the development group bought it from the Greater Syracuse Land Bank in 2016 for $157,500.
The building’s first floor and mezzanine level are available for rent to a retail or commercial tenant. Lynn’s law firm, Lynn, D’Elia, Temes & Stanczyk, will occupy the second floor.
Published by Syracuse.com
