Michelsen, George J. Furniture Factory
Why it's listed
Built in 1914 at the corner of Conkey Avenue and Avenue D in Rochester, this four-story, L-shaped brick factory housed the George J. Michelsen Furniture Company, a family firm dating to 1868. Architect James R. Tyler, who specialized in industrial plants, combined heavy timber construction with brick walls, large paired window openings, and cast stone trim. The site was chosen for its access to the New York Central Railroad, which supplied coal for the former power plant and handled shipping. Michelsen specialized in bedroom furniture and survived the Depression partly by selling directly to the public from first-floor display rooms. Manufacturing ended in 1958 when the Michelsen family sold the property. The building has changed little since construction, keeping its open timber interior, original southeast stair, and elevators. It is listed as an intact example of early twentieth century industrial design and for its role in Rochester's furniture industry. The building is currently vacant.
Significance in brief: It is significant under Criterion A for its link to Rochester's furniture industry and industrial growth, and under Criterion C as a well-preserved example of early twentieth century industrial architecture. It shows the shift from heavy timber mill construction to more modern design with large window openings. Its largely unaltered interior makes it an unusually intact survivor of the period.
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 12000328, listed June 6, 2012. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 182 Ave. D, Rochester |
|---|---|
| County | Monroe County |
| Listed | June 6, 2012 |
| Reference number | 12000328 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1914-1958 |
| Architect / builder | James R. Tyler (architect) |
| Architectural style | Early 20th Century Commercial Style |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed current function as vacant; structure and masonry described as in generally good repair. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 43.18254, -77.61941 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
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 12000328.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q23091937
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.