Federal Building - Rochester, NY - U.S. National Register of Historic Places on Waymarking.com

This location used to be the home of First Unitarian Church (hence the address of Church Street). In 1883, the US government offered to pay $20,000 for the property, as it wanted to site a post office here. (visit link)

From wikipedia (visit link) :
"Federal Building, also known as the Old Post Office, is a historic office building located at Rochester in Monroe County, New York. It is a four story, Richardsonian Romanesque style structure with an inner court and tower. It was built between 1885 and 1889 of heavy brown sandstone with a metal skeleton. It was expanded in 1893 and in 1907. The building was designed in part by noted architect Harvey Ellis under the Office of the Supervising Architect Mifflin E. Bell. ..."

Paul Malo briefly describes it in his 1975 publication "Landmarks of Rochester and Monroe County: A Guide to Neighborhoods and Villages" on page 15:

"During the 1880s an indirect influence of historical Romanesque examples, especially as freely interpreted by the great contemporary American architect H. H. Richardson, produced a somewhat simpler and less agitated style," (of Victorian) "which has been termed "Richardsonian." This work evidenced similar fondness for richly sculptural masses and complex interior spaces, combined with rather bold use of natural materials. However, in contrast to the lean English Eastlake style, Richardson's style, like himself, was robust and rotund. Round arches derived from the Romanesque were combined with rounded wall forms - usually of rough stone in his public buildings. This influence is seen in the Third Presbyterian Church and the Soule House, both on East Avenue, and in the old Federal Building downtown."

The building now serves as the Rochester City Hall.

Street address: 30 Church St Rochester, NY USA 14614 County / Borough / Parish: Monroe Year listed: 1972 Historic (Areas of) Significance: Architecture/Engineering Periods of significance: 1875-1899 Historic function: Government Current function: Government Privately owned?: no Primary Web Site: [Web Link] Secondary Website 1: [Web Link] Season start / Season finish: Not listed Hours of operation: Not listed Secondary Website 2: Not listed National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed

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Date Logged Log User Rating   11/30/2011 sagefemme visited it