Seven to Save Spotlight: Troy's Lower River Street Buildings
Seven to Save Spotlight: Lower River Street Buildings in Troy. 213-223 River Street are vacant, but make up part of an intact historic streetscape in Troy’s bustling downtown — buildings on both sides are in active use.
The 213-223 block seen from across River Street
“We look forward to working with the owner, our leadership in City Hall, and our preservationist community to bring these buildings back into use in our bustling downtown historic district,” said Barb Nelson, Executive Director at TAP Inc.
“Preserving historic streetscapes, especially in downtowns like Troy, is essential to maintaining a sense of place and supporting the local economy,” said Caitlin Meives, Director of Preservation for the Preservation League of NYS. “The Lower River Street buildings at 213-223 River Street are an important part of a cohesive commercial block, prime for reuse. The apparent intent of demolition by neglect is a waste of extant buildings in a city well known and loved for its historic character.”
This Seven to Save listing will bring statewide attention to the Lower River Street buildings, which are important within the larger context of the history of the Capital Region, spotlighting New York State's early commercial and industrial heritage. This listing is emblematic of the need for economic revitalization of post-industrial downtowns statewide, and showcase an example of already built sites that are prime for redevelopment — especially for housing.
Troy is defined by its urban architecture. The city's well-preserved 19th-century streetscapes, featuring stellar examples of every major 18th, 19th, and 20th-century architectural style, are what make it both a destination and a home for businesses, arts, and culture. River Street was the birthplace of commerce in Troy, and the warehouses and commercial loft buildings that still line the western side of the two blocks between 1st Street and Congress Street are a crucial surviving link to the establishment of the city approximately 200 years ago.
The five Lower River Street buildings at 213-223 River Street are an integral component of one of Troy's most intact early 19th-century streetscapes. The facades of the three buildings fronting River Street reflect Troy's commercial growth in the 19th and early 20th centuries, while the rear buildings fronting on the Hudson River are rare survivors from among the early 19th century stores and warehouses that once lined the Hudson River and propelled the city's early growth. These buildings have been vacant and left to deteriorate while the owner threatens demolition for a shovel-ready development site. Furthermore, the threat of increasingly unpredictable storms and flooding makes the buildings' location on the waterfront a vulnerable one. The loss of these buildings would tear a huge hole in the historic fabric of downtown Troy and could lead to inappropriately scaled new development. Saving these buildings would preserve Troy's small-scale urban character and rehabilitating them using historic tax credits could provide several commercial and residential units in an appealing, walkable location downtown.
217 River Street
219 River Street
219 River Street
221-223 River Street
The front facades of 217, 219, and 221-223 all face River Street, with commercial storefronts on the first floor and upper floors above.
Above: #213-215 are river-fronting, extending from the back of 217. #223 extends back in a similar way with a second story bridge connecting the front building to the back.
Photos taken on April 11, 2025.