Rochester NH - New Development

[Cojapo]

Some exciting development going on in Rochester, so time for a little love.

ROCHESTER — Demolition began late last week on the historic Hoffman building on North Main Street, the first step in paving the way for new development.

The new, six-story project will include 45 apartments, with a 2,200 square feet of commercial space on the first floor, and an elevator lobby to the other floors. Fifteen interior parking spaces will be a part of the building. There will be a rear entrance on Union Street, where there is a parking lot.

Steve King, senior project manager for Groen Construction of Rochester, said crews began bringing down 55 North Main St., where Hoffman Furniture closed in 1986, last Friday. They were set to next move on to demolish 45 North Main St., which is also part of the redevelopment project.

"By the end of the day, we will have the Hoffman building down to street level," King said Tuesday. "Most of the debris will be in the basement by then. We will load it and haul it away and then remove the foundation and concrete slab."

King said the two properties, including 45 North Main St., will become one for the development.

"Once both are down, we will begin site work," King said. "Then we will get ready to pour the foundations. I expect that work to begin by mid-September." The new development will give a nod to the long-standing historic property. "There were art deco aspects in the original building so we will carry some of that into the new design," King said. "The Hoffman building was built in 1915, and has been vacant since 1986."

Traffic during the demolition is being controlled. King said they have taken over the sidewalk and three parking spaces in front, making them part of the construction zone, blocked by jersey barriers.

 

[MartinS]

On my way back from Manchester, I'd figured I'd stop by to see the new development going on in downtown and make an update here (8/24/22).
From the rear:

Front:

Looking South from the site:

The recently renovated Scenic Theater and Salinger block by Chinberg Properties:

 

[MartinS]

An update to 55 North Main, 9/6/23:

From Union Street:

From the rear/Barker Ct.

 

[Josh]

Haven't been through super recently but heard of a couple things going on. Rochester is one of the fastest growing cities in NH, interesting to see how it's developing. I’m probably not listing everything, as this was a cursory look. If anyone has further details or is aware of other projects, particularly downtown, I'm interested to hear.

17 Bridge Street - redevelopment and new construction, residential, downtown area. Believe this is set to begin construction in February 2026. Rendering from this file (and many more in that packet). First stage is redevelopment of an old school, second stage is new construction.

38 Hanson Street - new construction, residential/mixed-use, downtown area. Believe this has been approved but couldn't find when/if starting. Renderings are in this file.

7 Milton Road - new construction, 95-room hotel. Part of the casino development. Not super exciting but it’s something. Plans here.

69 Farmington Road - “The Ridge” Phase II, continuation of a construction project off Rt 11 that includes a ton of retail space as well as residential units and a Wentworth-Douglass freestanding ER. Plans here.

Beyond that, it seems like a lot of housing construction going on in Rochester is outside of the downtown core. A lot of low-rises (like this proposed 2-story, 11-unit), and lots of single-family subdivisions (like this 44 lot subdivision).

 

[Josh]

Rochester development pipeline updates

More of a scan than of deep research, so if I'm off on anything, please correct. If anyone has additional details or anything I've missed, your input is also much appreciated. Most of the development outside of the "Ridge" is residential. To me, Rochester is spiritual cousins with Lewiston, and they are both undergoing quite a bit of residential development. By my estimation, there are 700+ units of housing either proposed or approved in Rochester currently. I would say a notable difference between the two is that while Lewiston is almost entirely experiencing downtown multifamily development, Rochester continues to get a significant amount of 'suburban' development outside of the downtown area. Rochester has a robust pipeline of single-family home construction, as well as some significant subdivisions noted below. I think that mobile homes, a staple of housing in Rochester, will also continue to play an important role in the region's affordable housing solutions as well.

Some of the links are to Fosters, which are behind a paywall.

Franklin Street subdivision (single family and mobile home) - It sounds like this is a development that was approved back in the 1980s but only partially finished (what is now called “Franklin Heights”). This development would be between Franklin Heights and Anderson Lane. There is actually the remnants of the old road still between those two roads, blocked off by decaying concrete barriers. I think this is in the “proposed” but not “approved” stage.

68 Hemingway Drive (multifamily buildings): proposed two buildings in Gonic with 206 units of housing. This is within an existing development off 125. Renderings in the linked file. I think this is in the “proposed” but not “approved” stage.

Stuart Acres: 57-lot development with 98 units of housing approved for 40-ish acre parcel off Portland Street in the area of the Franklin Street intersection (i.e. relatively “in-town,” close to downtown area). I believe it will be a loop on Portland Street with one entrance just north of Moose Lane and the other just north of Jeremiah Lane. Includes 50 single-family homes described as “modest” houses intended as starter homes. This is approved and set to begin construction soon, from what I can tell.

Interesting to note that this is in the same tract of land as the Franklin development noted above. I see that this tract of woods is owned by a handful of investment/holding companies, each with their own relatively large tracts, so I suspect this area will continue to be developed and filled in.

16 Bridge Street - Redevelopment of the site of an old school located in the downtown area. Final agreement reached at the end of January 2026 for this 54-unit residential development. Construction was supposed to start in February, but I haven’t been by recently to see if it has.

161 North Main Street redevelopment - Site of an old pharmacy in the downtown area. City selected this proposal from the three bids they received. Includes a large apartment building as well as townhomes. Selected RFP here

Residences at Riverside Park - June 2nd city approved money for funding gap. This is supposed to be 80 units of affordable housing on the old city garage site off Old Dover Road (would classify it as "in-town" but not exactly downtown). This is approved, as far as I can tell, but was dependent on federal funding that has since been reduced, hence the city stepping in to assist as they describe affordable housing development as a priority.

Ridge Phase II: Final approval received for this Route 11 development in mid-May. Described as a $400 million development on 26.5 acres that includes 222 units of housing, a gym, a movie theater and arcade venue, restaurants, and shops. Also includes a Wentworth-Douglas freestanding emergency room.

I also noted an 8-lot subdivision off Salmon Falls. Still unsure if 38 Hanson is happening, would be curious to drive by and take a look. Also have not seen if the 11-units added to the Norway Plains/Elm Court building has been finalized or if construction has started.

 

[Josh]

No photos, but I confirmed that work is well under way at 38 Hanson, 16 Bridge, and Ridge Phase II