How to rent apartments at The Howard, Rochester downtown's new 6-story building

ROCHESTER — The principals of The Howard, a new six-story, mixed-used building downtown, announced they are ready to begin leasing apartments.

Scott Rome of Brick & Barn Group | Compass, the leasing agency, was part of a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday at 55 North Main St., formerly the site of the Hoffman building.

"The Howard, what an accomplishment," Rome said. "This building is a big step in the revitalization of downtown Rochester."

The building has 45 apartments and two commercial spaces.

The Howard features 36 two-bedroom and nine one-bedroom units, along with 2,300 square feet of retail space on the ground floor. According to developers, its design takes cues from the past structure’s history, utilizing elements in an art deco contemporary design.

Greg and Paul Grant, owners of GP Properties, of Charlestown, Massachusetts, are the developers.

"We are incredibly excited and proud of the results," said Greg Grant. We are already looking at a few more sites locally."

The Howard is named after the two brothers' grandfather.

"We wanted to build something special," said Paul Grant. "We did not want the typical, vanilla, apartment building. I think the people living here will be proud to call it home."

Apartments expected to open at The Howard in June

The Howard is scheduled for completion sometime in June. Rome said residents will begin moving in then.

Greg Grant said the 45 apartments are one- and two-bedroom units. He said rents will begin at $1,900 and go up to $2,850.

"The high end are for units that include covered parking," he said. "There are 15 of those."

The remainder of the parking will be on street, or in the Union Street lot behind Revolution Taproom & Grill.

Rome said the leasing agent for the apartments is Maggie Getman. He said Bob Marchewka will lease the commercial spaces.

More information on renting apartments, along with floor plans, can be found at https://thehowardrochester.com.

The Howard is Rochester's tallest building

The Howard is now the tallest building in the city at six stories, as confirmed by Shanna Saunders, Rochester's director of planning and development. It has 57,575 square feet of space, including the garage.

Rochester development in 2024: The Howard, casino, Ridge Phase II and more

Rome said they have seen some interest in the two commercial spaces on the ground floor but have no commitments yet.

GP Properties was granted tax incentives in 2021 by the city to build 45 new residential units and the commercial spaces, which could include a restaurant, at the long-vacant Hoffman building site. Hoffman Furniture closed in 1986.

More Rochester development news: Oops! Cinema, restaurants, fitness centers for The Ridge phase 2 announced too soon

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: The Howard in Rochester NH sets rent prices for apartments