250 South Ave.

An empty lot and a decrepit building sit on a 2/3 acre lot at 250 South Ave. Behind the now closed Brickyard Pub, it was the site of a city public bathhouse and a public swimming pool, the Natatorium. The building in the rear of the complex probably served as shipping/receiving for the Natatorium when it was operational. The pool closed in 1975 after the City ceased repairing the roof (damaged by humidity of the pool and the weather), and was demolished in 1977. The remaining building stored voting machines at one time but now only supports an electronic billboard facing I-490.

In March 2007, the large building in the right side of the photo below, was purchased by a group of local developers known as Riverview Lofts, LLC. Located at 1 Capron Street (aka 228 South Avenue), the construction of the 19 residential loft condos has begun and the only loft condos in Rochester, NY are for sale. 1 Bedrooms start at $139,000 and 2 bedrooms start at $179,000. The project was developed by Riverview Lofts, LLC and managed by Belmont Properties until it was completed in 2012.

Google Maps shows a satellite photo of the building. According to City property details, as of 2006-Feb-8 the city owns the property, but a group of architects have since bought it, plan to cut additional windows, and convert it into downtown lofts. The interior features a grand staircase.

A view of the pool before completion. The tall building in the background is now called The Lofts at Capron Street. The pool looks to be in the present Geva parking lot and the photographer is facing South Avenue. Assuming the picture was taken near mid-day, the shadows on the left cast northward. The Geva Theatre would be behind to the right.

The old bathhouse would have been next to the Brickyard Pub. To the south, today's i-490 roadbed runs in place of the subway tracks in the former Erie Canal bed.

In January 2009 the renovation of the building is completed. Plan Architectural Studio moved from High Falls and will occupy space on the first floor. The second floor of the building also contains office space. There are two (1,200 square feet) one-bedroom lofts on the third floor. The newly added fourth floor, contains a two-bedroom penthouse apartment (over 2,000 square feet). Also added were a four-story elevator, stair tower and outdoor spiral staircase.

The two lofts each have 1-1/2 baths, 13- to 15-foot-high ceilings, exposed brick on the interior walls, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, contemporary plumbing fixtures, gas fireplaces, spa-style bathrooms (designed to allow natural light into the shower through translucent glass) with large walk-in showers and two-person soap tubs.

The penthouse includes many of the same features, in addition to another full bathroom, an area with an open floor-plan, called a “great room,” and 400-foot roof terrace. There’s also private on-site parking.

Here are some updated photos:

one of the kitchens