Historic renovation, addition planned for Hotel Cohoes
COHOES >> Within the next few weeks, the old Hotel Cohoes building will begin its transformation into an apartment building.
At the next planning board meeting on June 13, developer Paul Bonacquisti, president of 100N5, and his partners, Sean Curtin and John Bonacquisti, will seek approval for their proposed Hotel Cohoes Project.
“The Hotel Cohoes project is one we feel will significantly kickstart the regeneration of an amazing downtown main street, Remsen Street,” said Bonacquisti.
Once the project moves forward, the old hotel at 143 Remsen St. will be renovated in two phases. Phase one is scheduled to begin this fall and include an historic renovation of the existing building. During this phase, the building will be divided up into six apartments.
“We are hoping to save as many of the building’s exterior and interior features as possible,” said Bonacquisti.
Some work will be done outside the building, as well. The existing courtyard will be maintained and turned into a community space for building residents. The outdoor area will also include enough space for a garden, patio and cooking areas.
Soon after the first phase is completed, phase two will begin, including construction of an addition to the existing build-
ing. That addition will include as many as 20 additional apartments, as well as commercial space on the ground floor of the White Street side of the property. All of the units will include high-end features, such as hardwood floors, washer and dryer, granite counters, off-street parking, community and fitness rooms, and a rooftop patio.
The estimated budget for the project is around $2,750,000, according to the developers, and the estimated time frame for the renovation is about 10 to 12 months.
Michael Jacobson, the city’s director of economic and community development, believes the project will be good for a variety of reasons.
“First and foremost, the Hotel Cohoes, which is really in the crosshairs of our downtown area, has had kind of a tainted reputation for many years for it being a boarding house,” said Jacobson. “It kind of has been an eyesore for our city and that has been a big disappointment not only to this current administration, but also past administrations.”
He went on to add how important it is for the city to have developers like the Bonacquisti’s and Curtin who are willing to work so well with the city.
“I think private investors and organizations like 100N5, LLC, are actually buying into [Mayor Shawn Morse’s] mantra of ‘Let’s be easy to do busy with and create a good working environment for ourselves and for our developers,’” said Jacobson.
The project is viewed as part of the city’s larger mission of revitalizing the downtown area. Along with the recent announcement of Albany’s Palace Theater coming in to manage the historic Cohoes Music Hall, city officials see Remsen Street bouncing back.
“Not only is a wonderful historic landmark going to be restored to all of its architectural beauty, it’s also going to be expanded,” said Jacobson. “Putting 20 something apartment units downtown is really exciting for the city.”
Nicholas Buonanno can be reached at 290-3941.