What Is the Powers Building?
The Powers Building is a nationally registered commercial building at the Four Corners of Rochester!
What Makes It Historical?
Banker, Daniel Powers, started construction on his newest bank building in 1865, determined to make it the grandest in Rochester! To do so, he hired architect, Andrew Jackson Warner, who designed the building in Napoleon’s Second Empire style, built from cast iron and Ohio sandstone to be fireproof!
The Powers Building was the first building in Rochester to have “vertical railways,” which we now call elevators! It also boasted marble floors and gas lamp lighting until it became the city’s first commercial building to run on electrical power, generated by boilers in the basement! But the Powers Building’s biggest claim to fame was its reign as tallest building in Rochester, Mr. Powers’ lifelong dream! To keep that title, Mr. Powers responded to the growing Wilder Building nearby by adding five new stories to his building in 1891! What he didn’t realize was that his 9-floor, 165-foot building was already being outdone by the 246-foot Saint Michael’s Church, completed in 1890!
Nevertheless, the Powers Building was a super important commercial center in Rochester! For example, this was where Martha Matilda Harper began her hair and skincare business in 1888! If you haven’t heard of her, you’ve probably benefited from her innovation. Her Harper Method Hair Parlour pioneered the modern hair salon, the reclining hair wash chair, and really the whole idea of retail franchising! Ms. Harper built an empire of 500 franchise locations, giving ownership to women living in poverty so they could build new lives for themselves! That’s what you might call em-Powers-ment!
How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?
- Become a member of the Rochester Historical Society!
- Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!
How Do I Get There?
16 W Main St
Rochester, NY 14614
(Take Me There!)
When Should I Visit?
The Powers Building is a multi-use complex, so while you can enjoy the outside any time, there are no organized tours!