Kasson Place Apartments opens doors after $9 million in renovations

SYRACUSE — A Rochester–based developer has wrapped up work on converting the early 1900s residence of F. Scott Fitzgerald on Syracuse’s James Street into a luxury apartment complex and is showing it off to the public.

The Kasson Place Apartments (kassonplace.com), a 30-unit complex located at 622 James St., will hold an open house on April 18 from 3 to 5 p.m., allowing the public to take a tour and meet with staff members, according to Conifer Realty, LLC, the real-estate development and management company leading the project.

“Kasson Place is the first of two historic buildings Conifer is rehabilitating on James Street. This project represents a true public-private partnership and utilizes numerous funding sources including financing from NYS Homes and Community Renewal, federal and state historic preservation tax credits, City of Syracuse HOME funds, Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, and private equity,” Andrew Crossed, executive vice president at Conifer, said in a news release. “Total improvements for Kasson Place Apartments exceed $9 million, and would not be possible without the tremendous support from the City of Syracuse and New York State.” 

The second building is located at 615 James St. and has 53 apartment units.

The apartment interiors at 622 James St. are finished, and some exterior building work and landscaping will be done by June 1, according to Sandra Gorie, marketing director at Conifer Realty. The first tenants began moving in April 10, and 20 more are scheduled to do so, she says.

The 615 James St. apartment complex is well under way and projected to be complete on Sept. 1, according to Gorie. Conifer – LeChase Construction is the general contractor on both of the projects.

The 622 James St. structure features two-bedroom apartments, while 615 James St. has studio apartments and one- and two-bedroom dwellings. Rents start at $700 for studio apartments, $985 for a one bedroom, and $1,030 for a two bedroom.

Conifer (www.coniferliving.com) says it has developed more than 225 properties representing more than 16,000 apartment units since its inception in 1975.