The rehabilitation of Midtown Tower is scheduled to begin in August 2010 and be completed in mid-2012, making it the first project on the 8.5-acre site to be completed, officials announced Monday.  The city of Rochester has selected a partnership involving Christa Development Corp. and Morgan Management LLC to renovate the tower.

The $71 million Christa/Morgan proposal calls for commercial development on the first three floors, 186 apartments on floors 4-13 and 24 condominiums on the upper floors. Condominium prices will be in the $400,000 range, Christa CEO David Christa said. The apartments will cost in the range of $1.30 a square foot, Morgan CEO Robert Morgan said.

Some apartments and condos will offer garden terraces overlooking the proposed downtown street grid that would replace Midtown Plaza. “When they are finished, Midtown Tower will be the envy of cities across America,” Rochester Mayor Robert Duffy said. “These apartments and lofts will bring a taste of luxury to Rochester, which will bring our downtown housing market to a new level.

“Christa/Morgan are local developers with a track record of success. No one cares more about Rochester than those who live and work here.”

Rendering courtesy of Chaintreuil Jensen Stark Architects.