Passero Associates, PathStone Corporation (formerly Rural Opportunities, Inc.) and Nathaniel General Contractors were recently honored with the Historic Adaptive/ReUse award by the Upstate Chapter of the National Association of Industrial & Office Properties (NAIOP) for their Albion Academy Revitalization and Renewal project in Albion, N.Y. 

Built in 1906, the Albion Academy served as a school before closing in the 1960s.  The historic building is finding new life as modern housing for senior citizens and as a home for additional services for seniors and the general public. The Academy was constructed using grey Medina sandstone, a distinctive material found in the area.  The four-story, 55,0000 square foot structure has several unique architectural details that are being preserved and utilized in the rehabilitation. Due to years of neglect, extensive renovation was required. The restoration was coordinated with the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

PathStone Corporation (formerly Rural Opportunities, Inc.) reclaimed the aging building and determined that senior housing was to be the best primary use for the Academy.  The Orleans County Office for the Aging and the Arc of Orleans County will also use space in the Academy to serve their populations and local residents.  Passero Associates is providing complete architectural and engineering design services.  Nathaniel General Contractors is serving as general contractor, providing design-build and construction services.  The total cost of the project is about $7 million.  More information is available at www.passero.com/AlbionAcademy.htm. 

NAIOP honors projects and individuals that exhibit excellence in the commercial real estate industry.  The Upstate New York Chapter of NAIOP hosted its 15th Annual Awards Dinner this year in front of a sell-out crowd at the Memorial Art Gallery on November 12. This is the chapter’s biggest event of the year where individuals and projects that have gone above and beyond in the industry of commercial real estate are honored.