Hey fellow history lovers and Rochester residents! Nick Pompeian here, and I recently had the chance to step inside a piece of our city's past, and let me tell you, it was an experience! I'm talking about the Avalon Building at 301 N. Broadway, now being reborn as "The Social at the Avalon."
Thanks to the owners of the building, I got an exclusive sneak peek into the renovations, and it's clear this building is being brought back to life with a whole lot of heart. "There's a lot of history here. If walls could talk..." And boy, do these walls have stories to tell!”
This building started its journey in 1919 as the Northwestern Hotel, a haven for Jewish travelers and Mayo Clinic patients. But it was under Vern Manning's ownership as the Avalon Hotel that it truly made its mark. It became the only hotel in Rochester that served the African American community.
Following its use as a hotel and restaurant, many people probably recall it being a music store known as Avalon Music. Starting at the age of five, I remember playing in piano competitions on the second floor of this magnificent building. I recall seeing photos of notable guests who had once stayed at the hotel as I walked down the second floor hallway. One particular guest was Louis Armstrong, perhaps one of the most influential and famous jazz trumpeter in United States history. I myself was a trumpet player and so knowing that such a famous and influential jazz musician stayed in the hotel was really amazing. It's these personal connections that make history so tangible.
Fast forward to today, and the Avalon is undergoing a stunning transformation. The main floor will become "The Social," a community entertainment space that will be able to be rented for parties and events. In touring the main floor, I was particularly struck by the preserved original details, like the ceiling and wainscoting. Both of these intricate details remind us of the past, and the beauty and craftsmanship of years gone by.
The second floor is being converted into Hair and CO at the avalon, a salon with individual rental spaces. The open floor plan is a far cry from the former hotel rooms, but it's a testament to the building's adaptability to the current age.
The third floor houses two apartments, a reminder of the building's lodging roots. I reminisced about a time when it was a single, sprawling apartment with a giant Jacuzzi in the middle of the room. Super 70s, but really cool in its day. Today, the apartments have been thoughtfully redesigned, offering modern living spaces while retaining the building's historic charm.
Be sure to check out the website for continued updates
https://www.thesocialattheavalon.com
General Construction work is being completed by Benike Construction
This article was made with assistance from AI