House at 235-237 Reynolds Street
Why it's listed
Built between 1880 and 1885 on a corner lot in Rochester's Eighth Ward, this brick duplex at 235-237 Reynolds Street was put up as rental housing by John Abbs, a baker and local property investor. It originally had a twin on the neighboring lot, which has since been removed. The building shows High Victorian Gothic character through asymmetrical massing, a complex roofline of gables and a hip, painted brick with raised mortar joints, patterned brickwork and a polychromatic scheme. A central gable with shingled walls and paired windows reflects Shingle style influence. Medina sandstone forms the water table across the front. Inside, the two mirror-image units retain much of their original wood trim and paneled doors. Surrounded mainly by modest frame workers' houses, the duplex stands out for its design and craftsmanship. It was nominated for its architectural quality and as a record of the ward's development, despite fire and moisture damage and a period of vacancy.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is architecturally significant as an unusual multi-unit example of High Victorian Gothic residential architecture in the Eighth Ward. It stands out in a modest, mostly frame neighborhood for its irregular massing, complex gabled roof, varied materials and textures, and high-quality masonry and woodwork. It is also described as a valuable visual record of the ward's architectural and social history.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 85002272, listed September 12, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 235--237 Reynolds St., Rochester |
|---|---|
| County | Monroe County |
| Listed | September 12, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85002272 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1880-85 |
| Architect / builder | John Abbs |
| Architectural style | High Victorian Gothic, with Shingle style influence in the central gable |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as presently vacant, with a recent fire in the southwest upper floor and moisture damage, though the house is said to retain its architectural integrity. A twin house on the adjoining lot was removed. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Maplewood Historic District |
| Coordinates | 43.14325, -77.62629 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 85002272.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5914145
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.