As Troy City Hall prepares to reopen later this month at 433 River Street, a number of other businesses headquartered in the historic building are also welcoming more employees back.
 
First Columbia, which owns and operates the building, has taken the last year to evaluate how to make facilities much safer and adjust to the new normal that is here to stay.  The goal was
specifically implemented to reduce the risk of COVID-19 and alleviate any anxiety that visitors and returning workers may be feeling.
 
“We’re announcing these safety measures to the public because the 433 River Street building is more than an office building, it is home to three spaces that attract not only tenants but the public too: City Hall on the fifth floor, River Street Market on the first floor, and event space Loft433 on the rooftop floor,” said Kevin Bette, president of First Columbia. “We want the public to know that we’re doing everything we can to make them safe when visiting.” 
 
New safety features for the building include HEPA air filters, touchless access points, touchless sanitizer stations, a mounted thermal reader and a custom app for building tenants. 
 
“Our goal at First Columbia is to provide the safest possible environment for those returning to work in our buildings,” said Joe Castaldo, general manager of property services for First Columbia.  “We have implemented state-of-the-art measures to make sure people are safe and comfortable when inside our buildings, especially in the common areas.”
 
Masks are required in all public areas of the building. Touchless access points open doors with a wave of a hand above the sensor and a thermal reader automatically takes the temperature of each person as they enter the building. When a high temperature registers, an attendant will use a handheld thermometer for a second reading. If a visitor’s temperature registers high for the second reading, then that person will not be permitted into the building.
 
On the first floor of the building, the River Street Market has a spacious dining area with tables much farther apart than the CDC-recommended six feet. Since opening in March 2019, the premium food hall has used a cashless payment system, eliminating the need to handle money and transfer germs. As always, the market’s restaurants are carefully following up-to-date food safety protocols and making some of the area’s best fast casual fare.
 
AIRFLOW PURIFICATION
 First Columbia has partnered with Carrier Corporation, a global leader in building ventilation and indoor air quality, to install multiple HEPA air filters in high-traffic common areas in the building. Airflow is an important factor in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and other viruses, and the hospital-grade units remove 99.97 percent of airborne contaminants.
 
THE WATERFRONT TROY APP
 Tenants of 433 River Street can download a free smartphone app, “The Waterfront Troy,” to receive building updates, keep informed about nearby activities, and order food and drink from River Street Market restaurants. The goal of the app is to keep tenants informed and to streamline personal interactions. First Columbia hopes to make the app available to the general public in the future. 
 
“Although each individual company in our building is responsible for keeping their employees safe, First Columbia’s responsibility is to ensure that the entire facility and its common areas comply with the current protocol,” said Castaldo. “We trust members of the public to be courteous of others while visiting.”
 

CITY HALL TO REOPEN MARCH 22
To read a press release about the reopening of Troy City Hall, visit:
https://www.troyny.gov/mayor-madden-city-hall-will-reopen-to-public-on-march-22nd/
 
ABOUT THE WATERFRONT DISTRICT:
 First Columbia has commenced construction on a waterfront redevelopment along a half-mile stretch of the Hudson River. The highly-anticipated mix of projects will offer prime office space, retail, entertainment, residential units, parking, and a hotel. The master plan will have a lasting impact by reconnecting the city with its valuable waterfront assets and injecting it with commercial and social activity. For more information please visit www.thewaterfronttroy.com 
 
ABOUT FIRST COLUMBIA:
 First Columbia is a diversified real estate/investment organization committed to planning, developing, and operating high quality facilities. Its projects include corporate buildings, office campuses, medical complexes, senior housing, hospitality, and high-tech facilities.
 
For media inquiries, Contact: Victoria Harris, Marketing Director of First Columbia, (518) 213-1009 or vharris@firstcolumbia.com
 
###

19th Century Fitzgerald Facility to Become “Class A” Life Storage Facility
The historic Fitzgerald Bros. bottling plant in Troy will be rehabilitated this fall to become a high security, climate controlled, multi-story “Class A” self-storage facility.
The renovations will span three adjacent buildings at 494, 498 and 500 River Street which are owned by regional developer First Columbia and Hampstead America, LLC, the same team that recently completed the highly acclaimed Troy Waterfront Marriott Courtyard across the street. The facility will total over 100,000 square feet and accommodate as many as 1,000 storage units of varying sizes suited to accommodate businesses and the growing residential market in Downtown Troy.

“Modern, safe, secure self-storage is an important component of a revitalized neighborhood,” said Nathaniel Bette, First Columbia project manager. “This site provides an exceptional, easy access, high visibility location for Life Storage to enter the Capital Region storage market .”

Bette said individual units will range in size from small lockers of a few square feet up to multi-bay warehouse units of 5,000 square feet, commercial tenants are invited to inquire about larger custom spaces and services.

The business will be managed by Buffalo-based Life Storage, which operates more than 850 self-storage facilities and is one of the largest self-storage companies in the United States, the fourth biggest self-storage REIT and fifth biggest storage company. Troy will be the company’s first location in the Capital Region.

“Having been part of the redevelopment of Buffalo and its waterfront, we appreciate what’s happening in Troy,” said Eric Carlson, sales manager for Life Storage. “We feel really good about this opportunity and First Columbia’s plans for this part of town.”

Last year, First Columbia brought in Life Storage to quietly take over management of the space which had been previously operated as a storage facility run by a small local family business. But the coming transformation to Class A will be dramatic, Carlson noted.

When the rehab work is complete, the climate-controlled complex will feature state of the art technology including key pad activated locks, a CCTV security camera system, and energy efficient systems.

Carlson said most storage customers will be looking to store personal items, such as people who are downsizing from a house to an apartment. But commercial customers may include small businesses needing space to store equipment.  Those interested in renting space can call Life Storage at (518) 312-4478.

Both Bette and Carlson note that the building’s location, which is easily accessed from Route 7, and its loading dock in the rear make this facility especially appealing.

“Self-storage demand is high due to the influx of new businesses and residents to Downtown Troy,” said Bette. “This facility will be the only self-storage in Downtown and it will allow us to relocate 15,000 square feet of storage from our office buildings and add more jobs.”

REMEMBERING FITZGERALD BEER
The Fitzgerald Brewery established in 1852 was located on the west side of River Street, where the Marriott Hotel is now.  Located across the street from the brew house, the bottling plant functioned until the 1960s.
​
Fitzgerald beers were distributed far and wide, and many locals remember the brand fondly.
“My father was one of the last people to work in the bottling building,” said Troy resident Tom Flynn. “He was on the maintenance crew that stayed on to take apart the machines after the brewery burned down in 1963.”

Flynn describes his father and the men who worked in the plant as “big strong guys who could throw kegs around like nothing.”
“My father worked there from four till midnight, so my sister and I would get on the bus around six o’clock to visit him at work,” Flynn said. “I remember there was a doorbell there. You’d press that doorbell and you could hear that doorbell five blocks away because it was so noisy inside it had to be that loud. Eventually someone would come open the door and let us in.”
There was also a resident cat in the bottling plant.

“The cat’s name was Mauser, which is German for ‘mouse-catcher.’ He was a nice cat, but there were no mice around there,” Flynn said. “It’s funny the stuff you remember.”
Some of the old Fitzgerald memorabilia survived in the building and is currently in storage.
“We’ll try to find a good place to display it,” Bette said of the historic items.

In the meantime, The Hudson Mohawk Industrial Gateway Industrial Gateway Burden Ironworks Museum in South Troy has many Fitzgerald-related items in its exhibit of Troy, N.Y. related brewing memorabilia. The collection includes a wide assortment of historic bottles and barrels and promotional items from historic breweries like Fitzgerald, Stanton, Quandt, and Stoll continuing to present day, with Brown’s Brewing Company.

Today Fitzgerald Brothers Beverages, Inc. continues to operate as a beverage distributor in Glens Falls, N.Y. For information, visit: https://www.fitzgeraldbros.com/about-us/history/

First Columbia is currently focused on the completion of the 9th floor of 433 River Street, Troy NY. The newly added space to the existing building will feature a 10,000 SF rooftop event and meeting space for Mazzone Hospitality. The new venue will be known as Loft 433. First Columbia recently took the  Albany Times Union to the rooftop to take a peek at the progress of the construction.  Read the full article here: http://bit.ly/2NxpYLv

Deep Blue Communications recently announced that it will move approximately 40 employees to the newly renovated 433 River Street (Hedley Park Place) located in downtown Troy and a part of the Waterfront District.  First Columbia’s Waterfront District, a master planned redevelopment project is known for attracting tech focused type businesses along with many other industries.
Deep Blue Communications is a fast-growing Wi-Fi provider and industry leader with over 15 years engineering, installing and managing commercial WiFi networks and WiFi support. Deep Blue has made the INC 5000 list of the fastest growing companies for the last six years, and emerged as a leading WiFi provider for hotels, retail, entertainment venues, marinas and more.
The move, will provide Deep Blue communications with the space it needs for the expected growth the company has seen in the last few years. “If history repeats itself, we’ll have another 30 percent growth this year,” said Brian Epstein, Chief Executive Officer. Deep Blue had about $38 million in revenue last year and employs 125 people. Epstein expects to hire 20 more people tin 2019.
Founded in 2004, Deep Blue Communications has grown rapidly by installing wireless networks at large hotels and venues across North America and the Caribbean. A private equity investment in 2016 provided a jolt, enabling Deep Blue to buy other firms.  Epstein is pursuing deals with real estate investment trusts and hospitality management companies that have hundreds of hotels in their portfolio, a potential big step up for Deep Blue.
“We’ve now earned the right to have those conversations,” he said.

The Waterfront District has officially entered its third phase of the overall redevelopment master planned project.  The new phase will consist of the construction of two new apartment buildings and a multi-level parking garage along River Street north of the Green Island Bridge.

First Columbia's first phase was the tenant re-stacking of the Hedley Park Place office property.  First Columbia's main focus was to fill the 300,000 sq.ft. office building with a quality tenant mix targeting industries such as; technology firms, government offices, education, professional, healthcare and insurance companies as tenants.  As the property started to reach 90% occupancy, First Columbia began the second phase in its Waterfront District redevelopment project.  This phase consists of many new amenities added to the District and include; the newly completed Courtyard by Marriott hotel and the soon-to-open River Street Market food hall on the main floor of Hedley Park Place. Mazzone Hospitality plans a 10,000-square-foot event space, tentatively called The Loft at 433, with indoor and outdoor spaces and views of the Hudson River on the 9th floor of the office building.  There is also a waterfront brewery coming to set up shop on the first floor, offering a full restaurant and brew pub.

With it's first two phases in place, First Columbia is ready to start the third phase of the redevelopment project and has started working with the City of Troy Planning Dept. on the approval and construction of two new mixed-use apartment buildings and a multi-level parking garage.  The first apartment building will consist of about 75 units, will go into the parking lot south of the Hedley Park Place office building at 433 River St., while the second, with about 36 units, will be built on the parking lot between the Flanigan Square office building and the Collar City Bridge.  The parking garage structure will sit across from Hedley Park Place and will offer the area much more parking in order to create a welcoming atmosphere to visitors, residents, and business of the Waterfront District.

​(Troy, NY)— March 20, 2019 —Troy’s Waterfront [District] continues its innovative redevelopment with the May 1st opening of the River Street Market. Located in 12,000sf of the 1918 wing in First Columbia’s Hedley Park Place Building, workers have uncovered and restored the original maple flooring and revealed the former Factory’s impressive concrete structure to create a truly unique Food Hall catering to the demand for quality, locally-sourced cuisine.
 
The first five Chefs, of the ten food Concept Market, are a mix of budding entrepreneurs and savvy veterans all focused on a mission of “authentic, fresh ingredients creatively prepared and served to inspire enjoyment of all.”
 
Young entrepreneurs, Katie and Luke Haskins, Owners of Hooked Seafood Co., will be opening and operating the food hall’s flagship bar with charcuterie & wine bar, Luka’s. “We were inspired by several salumerias that we visited in Florence and wanted to bring the old world style concept to Troy.” Said, Luke. “Simple, high-quality ingredients paired with a carefully curated bar program is what we’ll be offering at Luka’s; we’re so excited to open!” Along with Tuscan influences, diners can be excited for a slew of ethnicities and local favorites that are joining the table.
 
Troy’s Sue Dunckel, Owner of the Copper Pot, was the first vendor to sign onto the project. “I believe there is a time to understand when it’s in your best interest to be a part of a community.” Said Dunckel, who currently owns “Sweet Sue’s Copper Pot,” just two blocks from RSM. “River Street Market is a unique opportunity that could be like Quincy or Portland Market, and I wanted to be a part of that; there’s nothing to fight.” Although there still will be sweets available, the Copper Pot will primarily serve fresh soups, salads, and sandwiches made with as many local ingredients as possible. “I can make some really awesome soups at a delicious price point.”
 
Coming from Red Hook, NY, Papa’s Best Batch is bringing their smokehouse favorites to the Capital Region. “We had been looking for a year-round location, and then we were approached by River Street Market. We realized the opportunity to be a part of the growing and creative Capital Region food scene made perfect sense. We appreciate RSM’s aesthetic vision and selection of other vendors for this food hall. We believe it will be a huge success.” Said owner, Jody Apap. Although this is Papa’s third location, it’s the first one off wheels. Downstate, Papa’s operates out of a ‘72 Airstream trailer docked at The Greig Farm in Red Hook and out of their food truck, which visits various breweries, distilleries, and festivals throughout the Hudson Valley. “We came up with the term, “smoking small.” We don’t smoke whole pigs or sides of beef. Our small-batch approach is perfect for a food hall environment, and we’re thrilled to serve our entire menu at RSM.” There’s no smoke and mirrors with Papa’s. “We believe in gourmet food quality and comfort food quantity. Our smoked brisket, salmon and chicken salad come in the form of “Sammiches”; which are much tastier than a plain old sandwich. Additionally, our smoked hummus and smoked deviled eggs are truly unique. We are super excited to bring our food to a whole new audience.”
 
Albany entrepreneur, Tyler Wrightson, will open Troy’s first Stacks Espresso Bar, his highly regarded and expanding hip Coffee Emporium. Stacks will open early and satisfy the morning crowd with an array of breakfast offerings and stay open late to into the evenings filling the need for fresh roasted coffee and desserts. “Immediately upon seeing the vision for the Hedley building we knew we had to be a part of it. Troy has been on our radar for a while, but this gave us a reason to jump in quickly!” Said Wrightston.
 
The Capital Region’s own Angelo Mazzone will bring his vast array of hospitality experience to open his smallest, in size, venture— but promises to deliver big on taste! Along with Partner Jamie Ortiz, Angelo will create an entirely new concept that will be announced in April after they complete both beta testing— and taste testing!
 
Each of the River Street Market Chefs will be able to accommodate large groups in the Market’s two large private dining rooms, the Cluett Room and the Peabody Room. Customers can reserve a room for up to 30 guests and choose one or all the Chefs to prepare an unforgettable meal for your Business, Sports Team, School Organization, Civic Group, or your Family. All are welcome at the River Street Market!
 
Kitchen space at River Street Market is limited. Interested parties are asked to contact Kristen Diesel, First Columbia’s Leasing Director at kdiesel@firstcolumbia.com for more information

(TROY, NY) The Albany-based Stacks Espresso Bar, with two locations on Lark Street and Broadway, is opening its third location in First Columbia’s Hedley Park Place in Troy this October. Stacks, will be one of many amenities that is being planned, that will soon arrive in the building to serve the 1,400+ employees as well as the many residents in the Waterfront [District].   
 
Known for its quality coffee, guest roasters, and educational classes for the public, Stacks Espresso Bar is excited to make the move to the Collar City. “Troy is a natural progression for us,” explained Marketing Director, Marlee Ford. “It’s the Tri-City-Ship next step and we’re eager to continue to collaborate with regional roasters and our soon-to-be neighbors.” Surprisingly, if you ask any Stacks employee, they’ll tell you their top objective is exceptional customer service, with coffee coming in “at a close second.” “While we are a specialty coffee shop, our goal is to cut the snobbery out of the customer experience. We want people to be enthused about coffee and ask questions about it. Ron Grieco, Director of Coffee of Stacks Espresso would like the whole world to be thrilled about it!” There’s also something for everyone with classic house blends to espresso drinks, ranging from $1.25 to $4.00, respectively.
 
Stacks Espresso Bar first opened its doors on Lark Street in Albany in 2014. “I wanted to make specialty coffee accessible,” said Director of Coffee, Ron Grieco. “Four years ago, some of the specialty coffee market was pretentious. I knew the pitfalls and what I wanted to see change in the industry.” Ron and his business partner, focused on education and customer service fundamentals for employees and customers alike. Stacks’ employees are empowered to share what they’ve learned not only through the product they make, but with the knowledge they provide. Their mantra is simple— invest in your team and you will be rewarded. “If we can make a job as fulfilling and enjoyable as possible, we will have better employees. Our employees are the reason for our continued success.” Another by-product of high employee morale is happy customers.
 
Stacks’ addition to the Waterfront [District] will only complement the community’s expanding offering. “We are excited to have Stacks as a part of Hedley Park Place and the Waterfront [District]. Not only will they offer the area a quality product, but they also fit into our overall vision of the Waterfront.” Stated Victoria Harris, Director of Marketing at First Columbia. Excitement for Stacks’ arrival is echoed throughout the Collar City.
 
“We are happy to see this area of Troy expand,” said Katie Hammon, Executive Director, Downtown Troy Business Improvement District. “It is great to see businesses that have had success in neighboring cities want to be part of the Troy community.” Hammon attributes Troy’s “walkability” as an attraction for both new businesses but also residents. “It’s an easy city for newcomers to engage and add to the culture.” A feature that Stacks is looking forward to. “My favorite part of opening a new shop is building relationships within the community— and people using Stacks as a meeting place,” said Grieco. Stacks Espresso Bar will be accessible through Hedley Park Place and by a public street entrance. The space is being designed in collaboration with Phinney Design Group and Studio eIQ. Stacks is encouraging interested candidates to apply online at StacksEspressoBar.com.

ABOUT STACKS ESPRESSO BAR:More than a few warm and welcoming cafes, Stacks Espresso Bar is committed to the communities and the coffees we serve. Each location is a workshop dedicated to exploring the elements that make coffee one of the most widely consumed crops in the world. We highlight various brew methods, experiment with espresso-based drinks, and continuously bring in unique and delicious coffees from diverse roasters. We're thrilled by the opportunity to share our passion, and proud to serve exceptional, accessible, specialty coffee.
 
ABOUT THE WATERFRONT:
Woven into the fabric of one of the nation’s most historic and beautiful downtown, First Columbia has commenced construction on this waterfront redevelopment along a half-mile stretch of the Hudson River. The highly-anticipated mix of projects will offer prime office space, retail, entertainment, residential units, parking, and a hotel. The master plan will have a lasting impact by reconnecting the city with its valuable waterfront assets and injecting it with commercial and social activity; positing Troy once again as the premier urban destination in the Capital District.
 
ABOUT FIRST COLUMBIA:
First Columbia is a diversified real estate/investment organization committed to planning, developing, and operating high quality facilities. Its projects include corporate buildings, office campuses, medical complexes, senior housing, hospitality, and high-tech facilities.
 
For media inquiries, Contact: Victoria Harris, Marketing Director of First Columbia, (518) 213-1009 or vharris@firstcolumbia.com

In a city that was once among the wealthiest in the country, the president of First Columbia sees the waterfront as an asset that can spur economic growth.  Kevin Bette’s vision for a stretch of Troy’s waterfront is slowly becoming a reality through the real estate development and investment firm he leads, First Columbia. Construction on a 132-room Courtyard by Marriott hotel on River Street is expected to conclude later this year. A food hall and retail space called the River Street Market is slated to open in June on the first floor of the Hedley Building, a former shirt factory that now houses technology and health care companies and Troy’s city government.

Bette is working on plans to convert several historic buildings in the neighborhood into apartments. Called the Waterfront District, the $125 million mix of projects will eventually include office, retail and residential spaces and parking along with a promenade and hotel.
​
                                                                                                                                       To read the entire article by Madison Iszler, Times Union Click Here

(TROY, NY) The River Street Market, a unique food hall concept, is the next project in First Columbia’s $125 million dollar “The Waterfront District” redevelopment in Troy, NY.  Located in 12,000 square feet on the first floor of the Hedley Building, the River Street Market is slated to open this summer and will contain a dozen unique food, beverage, and market concepts that provide a wide variety of farm-to-table quality providers to delight the 1,500 employees within the building as well as the growing downtown Troy population.  Local food entrepreneurs, Katie and Luke Haskins will lease, manage, and work at the market while assembling a team of independent operators to take Troy’s food scene to the next level.

The food hall concept wasn’t a new one to the culinary duo as they both shared the goal of bringing the concept, of this scale, to Upstate, New York. “We were inspired by all the markets we encountered in our travels. From those in New York City, Redding Market, to Florence, Italy. We wanted to bring that idea to the Capital Region, but, then, at 27—we couldn’t,” stated Luke Haskins. While details, such as hours of operation, are still being worked out, their vision for the River Street Market is known, “It’ll be a collection of independent small businesses,” said Katie. “Our goal with the River Street Market is to foster an eclectic mix of offerings and cuisines. We love unique and dynamic, if this sounds like you— please contact us.” In addition, to managing the food hall, they are also opening Lord & Montague, a wine, with Sommelier selected wine list, and charcuterie bar. The namesake paying homage to the Collar City’s inventor of detachable shirt collars, Hannah Lord Montague.
​
Also adding to the tenant roster is Sunhee’s Farm and Kitchen’s second restaurant concept— “Sunhee’s on the River”. “Our bar manager first told us about the space after attending the Hedley Park Place Centennial Event. The intended vision of [the space] aligned with what we wanted to achieve in the lower Hudson region of Troy— an opportunity to create something new, that also complemented our brand, all while being community-focused,” stated Jinah Kim, Owner of Sunhee’s Farm and Kitchen. Sunhee’s opened just shy of two years ago and has had a dynamic impact on the community; with its commitment to refugees, helping tell their story, and sharing the culture through authentic culinary offerings. “Troy is all about maintaining community, said Kim. “We’re excited to have the freedom to take on our own character within this collaborative space that understands the relationship aspect [of business].” As for what to patrons are to expect of Sunhee’s first expansion project— “While this will be a new concept, we’ll also serve some of our staples,” stated Grace Lee, Managing Partner of Sunhee’s. “We will definitely serve our Bibimbap and our purple rice— but this menu will be more convenience-focused.”

“We’re all very excited about the River Street Market. Having it will create a great energy and ambiance for the building,” said Denisse Grimm, Project Manager at Hedley Park Place. “Also, it’s easy to get to, it’s right off the exit ramp from the highway and we have ample parking. It’s ideal for anybody looking to stop by quick and grab unique and healthier foods on the go.” The space is being designed by architect, Mike Phinney, from Phinney Design Group.
“There are many reasons why this concept is different and why it’ll work,” said Katie. “But the biggest is that we fixed the disconnect between landlord and vendor, because we’re right there working with you,” stated Luke Haskins.
For more information regarding available space at the River Street Market, please contact Katie Haskins, 518-858-9561, or by email, pfeiffkl@yahoo.com.

ABOUT THE WATERFRONT: Woven into the fabric of one of the nation’s most historic and beautiful downtowns, First Columbia has commenced construction on this waterfront redevelopment along a half-mile stretch of the Hudson River. The highly-anticipated mix of projects will offer prime office space, retail, entertainment, residential units, parking, and a hotel. The master plan will have a lasting impact by reconnecting the city with its valuable waterfront assets and injecting it with commercial and social activity; positing Troy once again as the premier urban destination in the Capital District.

ABOUT FIRST COLUMBIA: First Columbia is a diversified real estate/investment organization committed to planning, developing, and operating high quality facilities. Its projects include corporate buildings, office campuses, medical complexes, senior housing, hospitality, and high-tech facilities.
For media inquiries, Contact: Victoria Harris, marketing director First Columbia, at (518) 213-1009 or vharris@firstcolumbia.com