Ithaca Builds

Mapping, photos and information for Ithaca construction and development projects

Collegetown Terrace Project Description

May 14, 2013 // by Jason Henderson

The obvious mammoth of development projects in the area, Collegetown Terrace by Novarr-Mackesey will be adding 589 net additional bedrooms once fully completed (and a total of 1,226 new bedrooms, due to the demolition of existing buildings). The project has been split into two phases, with phase one focusing on the demolition and build outs along State St, and phase two focusing on the demolition and build outs further into the site. The State St buildings reflect a design aesthetic typical of the surrounding area, while the buildings further in reflect a more modern style. The total space to be redeveloped clocks in at just over 12 acres.
The huge “glass box” at the north-center of the site will house a fitness facility, and the property will include outdoor amenities like walking paths, bike racks, tables and underground parking for residents (beneath certain buildings).

130 East Clinton St Project Description

May 14, 2013 // by Jason Henderson

Located between the Ithaca Police Department and Cityview Apartments (Ithaca Rentals), developer Jason Fane plans to put up three 3-level buildings consisting of 12 units each for a total of 36 units, equally split between studios, one and two bedrooms. No stranger to development in Ithaca, Jason Fane built Collegetown Plaza, Center, Court and owns a multitude of properties in Ithaca and is also building a 47-story luxury condominium tower in Toronto, CHAZ.

Purity Apartments

May 13, 2013 // by James Douglas

Purity Ice Cream will be developing a five-story apartment building in the back portion of the current single story building. The new construction will add between 20-24 market-rate apartments on the edge of the City’s downtown density zone.
Construction is expected to begin in the Fall of 2013. The front retail portion of the building has been an Ithaca landmark for decades (and Ithaca is said to be the birthplace of the ice cream sundae), but several years back, production was shifted to a Byrne Dairy facility, so much of the building has sat mostly idle since then, thus the opportunity for redevelopment. The developer has also acquired a couple parcels down the street, which will serve as tenant parking due to the parking requirements per number of apartments as determined by current zoning.

Iacovelli Apartment Photos

May 12, 2013 // by James Douglas

Belle Sherman Cottages Site Photos

May 12, 2013 // by Jason Henderson

New signage for each lot has been put up within the past week or so, and it looks like we’ll see another house built- Lot #14 has sold, making a total of three (plus the model house, which has been up for some time). The photos of the back end of the parcel make the site look as if there’s no room for the townhouses in the back, but after taking a stroll around the site, it doesn’t seem as small. Once more houses are put up and vegetation grows in, it will probably seem a lot larger.

Aurora Pocket Neighborhood Project Description

May 9, 2013 // by James Douglas

An urban eco-village located on North Aurora Street, in the Fall Creek Neighborhood, this pocket neighborhood consists of two new single family homes, a one bedroom cottage, and an existing property owned by developers Sue Consentini & Rob Morache. The project utilizes extensive energy efficient design, technology and also features an infill communal living space between the houses, making this project the first such urban eco-village in Ithaca.
Fruit trees, berry bushes, LED lighting, and soy-based spray foam insulation illustrate just a few aspects of this green development. Incorporating technologies such as solar panels and air to air heat pumps show the technological side of how these new houses will operate at high levels of efficiency.
Besides home grown veggies and energy saving engineering and appliances, the Aurora Street Pocket Neighborhood attempts to facilitate perhaps the biggest environmentally friendly factor: urban living that promotes pedestrian and bicycle traffic to work, the store, and most or all your activities in between.
All of the newly constructed houses are slated to be fully occupied, but expect more pocket neighborhood projects from Consentini Construction and the developers, New Earth Living.

Harold’s Square Project Description

May 9, 2013 // by Jason Henderson

Four-stories in the front, and seven additional stories in the back, Harold’s Square is a large mixed-used project slated to be added to the heart of the commons. The four-story commons façade will have ground floor retail with three stories of office space above it, and the rear will have a six-story apartment tower. At eleven stories, this would have the most floors in downtown Ithaca. Currently, a proposal before Common Council would amend the zoning district to cater to the 140 foot height of the proposed structure, a change from the current height restriction of 60-feet.
The new Harold’s Square project would replace the existing structures that housed Alphabet Soup, Race Office Supply, and the old Harold’s Army and Navy store. This project is still seeking site plan approval, and will have to resolve zoning variance issues before it proceeds. Though, with strong encouragement from the City and DIA, expect Harold’s Square to keep progressing.