Empire Run: Building Luxury

Commercial Mixed-Use Development and Luxury Apartment Design

In 2016, a Saratoga Springs developer wanted to introduce a new destination and luxury apartment building to a rapidly growing corridor in the city. They relied on Balzer and Tuck to design a four-story mixed-use building in the challenging ‘Transect District’ of the city. Empire Run introduces visual appeal as well as new living and retail options for an evolving community.

Key Challenges and Solutions

  • The fourth story was set back from the main façade to allow the building to read as only three stories, a perception appreciated by street-level pedestrians and residential neighbors. This also created exterior balconies and shared rooftop amenity space for the buildings tenants.
  • The L-shaped building design put retail space close to the street edge and gave the tenant a significant glass storefront.
  • Row-house style tenant entrances proportionally balance the façade for pedestrians.
  • Brick veneer and metal panel siding establish Empire Run as a transitional structure between neighboring warehouse and manufacturing buildings and the adjacent residential neighborhood.
  • Painted steel pergolas and custom railings provide detail to the otherwise simple building massing and detailing.
  • Connections to nearby markets, cafes, businesses and a recreation trail are incorporated through new sidewalks, pathways and a footbridge.

Project Details

  • Four-story 103,000-square-foot mixed-use building
  • 2,500 square feet of ground floor commercial space
  • 13,000 square feet of indoor parking space
  • 65 one and two-bedroom open-living style apartments with private balconies, 9-foot high ceilings, and walk-in closets
  • Fitness and community centers
  • Shared rooftop recreation space

“The success of this project hinged on gaining the confidence of city land use boards and surrounding commercial, municipal, and residential neighbors. Balzer and Tuck scored.” – Sonny Bonacio, Bonacio Construction

Related Projects
Contact Us

We're not around right now. But you can send us an email and we'll get back to you, asap.

Not readable? Change text.

Start typing and press Enter to search