Courtesy Chris Patten
By Paul Post
Four of seven commercial spaces at developer Chris Patten’s latest project, 46-56 South Street in Glens Falls, are already accounted for.
Katy’s Wine and Whiskey Bar and Jud’s Tavern are scheduled to open when work on the three-story, mixed-use building, with 20 second- and third-floor apartments, is completed this winter.
“I really want to bring back South Street,” Patten said. “To do that we need to generate foot traffic with bars and restaurants.”
The large previously-vacant building, at the corner of South and Elm streets, was recently painted a handsome navy blue and white, and will transform dramatically at night with multi-colored lighting along the roof line.
Nearby, Patten is also redeveloping 10 Broad Street, site of a former Rite Aid store, with construction of a three-story structure comprised of a 56-space ground-floor parking garage and 24 high-end apartments overhead.
The two projects combined total $11 million – $5 million for 46-56 South Street and $6 million for 10 Broad Street. The latter project is called The Point.
“This city really doesn’t have a huge influx of tourism,” he said. “I’ve recognized over the last 20 years that what drives this city is housing. Bringing good quality housing to downtown Glens Falls and the surrounding area is what’s going to drive business for our restaurants and retail spaces.”
Patten, 41, is a 2002 alum of South Glens Falls High School and graduated from SUNY Adirondack in 2005.
His vision for Glens Falls was sparked while working as project manager at 20 Elm Street, an old mill building transformed into apartments, for a former employer.
In 2005, he broke off from Turner Construction and started his own single-family home building company, Patten Property Development.
A separate firm, Patten Property Management, handles rental properties.
At 46-56 South Street, 16 apartments will be one-bedroom and four others two-bedroom, all featuring central air, granite counters, hard-surface flooring, barn doors, large open floor plans for bedrooms, and open closet concepts.
Plans also call for single unit washer-dryers. The building will have energy saving technology and insulated windows top to bottom.
Patten is currently in the process of gaining approval for access to high-voltage electricity, giving the building a dedicated power source.
Apartments are expected to be priced from $1,350 to $1,500 for one bedroom and $1,550 to $1,750 for two bedrooms, depending on size and demand.
“They’re for single young professionals, and husbands and wives who are downsizing,” Patten said. “College kids relocating here for first jobs love this kind of apartment.”
The Point’s 24 apartments will be high-end with finishes such as crown molding, fireplaces and a balcony at each unit, priced from $1,500 to $1,650 for one bedroom and $2,000 to $2,700 for two bedrooms.
“Foundations under way, we’re setting steel now, will do framing this fall and hope to be done next summer,” Patten said.
He said the finished project will be similar to one at 14 Hudson Street.
“I’ve been a landlord here in the city since I was 21 years old,” he said. “I’m really focused on one-bedroom apartments. Two and three bedrooms are harder to rent. Quite often, families want them, but there’s no lawn, no place for kids to play. So I’m focused on renting to individuals.”
When these jobs are done, Patten plans to head back to Washington Street for Phase II of Washington Manor, which he said will consist of 54 one-bedroom units where current demolition of three buildings on Glen and Harlem streets is taking place.
Phase I has 20 one-bedroom affordable living, efficiency-style apartments ranging in size from 500-600 to 750-800 square feet.
Patten has also developed 28 Union Street between Glen and Bay streets.
“My hope is that with all the effort I’ve put in the city and its building that it really attracts additional investors, people that see a future here,” he said. “It’s really not about me as much as it is my children. If we bring the city to life, bring business and jobs here, it gives young people a reason to stay.”