Rochester students settling into Innovation Square

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Before year’s end, a second wave of student tenants will move into Innovation Square, inside the former Xerox Tower. More than 100 students primarily from the University of Rochester have already moved into the building that offers apartments, and soon to be added commercial office space.

Since the end of September, these students left behind the dorm rooms and moved into two and three bedroom apartments on floors 10 through 13.

As work still continues to transform the former Xerox Tower into several floors of high-rise student housing, students from the University of Rochester like Djibril Diallo say it’s one of the best choices they’ve made for housing since moving off-campus.

"Realizing that it was going to be more of an apartment-style, and you know we’d have our own bathroom and kitchen. Something that I wasn’t privileged to have back at our dorms at University of Rochester," Diallo said.

Daniel Nadg and his roommate moved in for the amenities as well.

"We have our own bedrooms, laundry in the suite which, that always is a plus because trucking down to the basement to do your laundry is one of the worst parts of student housing," Nadg said.

The reimagination of Innovation Square began about 13 months ago. Andy Gallina, President of Gallina Development Corporation says Phase 2 of work on the 30-story tower is set to begin soon.

"We’re wrapping up the 5th floor of apartments that we have, and we are starting the next 5 floors," Gallina said.

Apartments that are highly sought after for one reason.

"The views on the 10th floor. So having the views of downtown Rochester is amazing," Nadg said.

Diallo agreed, "If I’m doing homework, and I always take a peek back to see the view. Very nice view especially at night too when the lights come up."

What’s really convenient about living here is the close proximity to the university.

"From here to class is only like 5 minutes, you know and if there’s traffic a bit, 10 minutes max. I wake up, I’m not scared of being late. Get in the car, or if I’m taking the bus, the shuttle also runs too so I take the shuttle and I go to campus," Diallo said.

A huge coolness factor for Innovation Square.

"Interest has been very good and brisk, and we continue to feel an optimism about the reception to the market for students coming downtown," Gallina said.

Another added bonus, Gallina Development Corp. has just partnered up with Greenlight Networks to wire the entire building with high-speed internet.