News
July 1, 2025Rosenblum Marks the Start of Construction for “Sol,” Troy’s First Zero-Emission Multifamily Building
The Rosenblum Development Corporation leadership team hosted Senator Jake Ashby, Assemblymember John McDonald, Mayor Carmella Mantello, officials from the City of Troy, Empire State Development, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), regional business leaders, and community dignitaries to celebrate the groundbreaking of Rosenblum’s new $22+ million multifamily building, and reveal the building’s name: Sol.
Located at 1818 5th Avenue in the heart of downtown Troy, the four-story, 55,000 square foot Sol will replace a vacant drive-through bank branch built in the 1970s. Sol’s exterior has been thoughtfully designed to harmonize with the historic brownstones prevalent in the neighborhood. However, the building’s 71 smart apartment homes along with an array of communal amenities like resident coworking space, entertainment lounge with community kitchen, pet spa, package center, and conditioned indoor bicycle storage, are designed to support a balanced modern lifestyle.
Several prevailing characteristics make Sol distinct amongst market rate apartment buildings in the Capital Region. To address a shortage of high quality, lower cost apartments, most units in Sol are studios. Additionally, 30% of apartments will be available at rents affordable to individuals earning 65% of the area average median income for the Albany-Schenectady-Troy MSA, including young professionals with typical entry-level salaries in regionally significant and underemployed industries. Every apartment in the building will feature full kitchens with ENERGY STAR appliances, washer and dryer, nine-foot ceilings, large windows, and sustainable finishes.
Sol is also the City of Troy’s first all-electric, zero-emission multifamily building. Sol will utilize geothermal heat pumps for space conditioning and domestic hot water, an air-tight building envelope, continuous insulation, triple pane windows, energy recovery ventilation, and a rooftop solar PV array to achieve Phius (Passive House Institute U.S.) CORE certification. Phius certified buildings not only use an estimated 20-30% less energy than buildings that are constructed to code standards, but they are quieter, healthier and more comfortable, in part by balancing humidity, mitigating condensation that can cause mold, and providing residents with a constant supply of filtered fresh air. Sol will be the first Phius certified midrise multifamily building in the region.
Sol is a Round Three winner of the Buildings of Excellence Competition, administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). The project design team also received Buildings of Excellence Early Design Support funding. Buildings of Excellence recognizes and rewards the design, construction, and operation of clean, resilient, carbon neutral-ready multifamily buildings. Additional support for Sol’s high performance building systems is provided through the NYS Clean Heat Program sponsored by National Grid.
Sol’s location is an extension of its sustainable design. 1818 5th Avenue is rated a “Walkers Paradise” on the Walk Score® index because daily errands do not require a car. Residents have immediate access to local restaurants, shopping and cultural venues as well as the Hudson Riverwalk, Uncle Sam Bike Trail, Riverfront Park, and weekly Troy Waterfront Farmers Market. Two downtown college campuses, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and Russell Sage College, and numerous other employers are located within walking distance. For commuters, regional bus service provided by the Capital District Transportation Authority including the new BusPlus (Bus Rapid Transit) Blue Line is available at Riverfront Station, a system hub, only two blocks from the property. Rosenblum is also working with CDTA to offer discounted use of its new “DRIVE” electric vehicle carshare program; a DRIVE vehicle will be stationed less than a block from Sol.
“Good development does more than activate a single property, it unleashes energy into the community,” said Jeff Mirel, Principal of Rosenblum Development. “Our hope is that by thoughtfully repurposing what was a vacant, blighted parcel in the very heart of downtown Troy, addressing unmet housing needs, and introducing a new standard for efficient, resilient, sustainable development, Sol will be another catalyst for Troy’s ongoing revitalization.”
Sol is made possible by a Restore New York grant awarded to the City of Troy. Restore New York is administered by Empire State Development and supports municipal revitalization efforts to remove blight, reinvigorate downtowns and generate new economic opportunities. According to an economic impact study prepared by Camoin Associates, Sol will drive more than $2.3 million of new annual spending in the City of Troy and create over 20 new permanent jobs.
Troy Mayor Carmella Mantello said, “Today’s groundbreaking is a milestone moment for Troy. This project takes a long-vacant property and transforms it into something that reflects our city’s values – innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability. This will not only bring much-needed, high-quality housing to our community, it will also be Troy’s first zero-emission multifamily building. This is the future of urban development, and I thank Rosenblum Development, New York State, and all our partners for helping us build a stronger, greener, and more vibrant Troy.”
Assemblymember John T. McDonald III, RPh., said, “It’s great to see continued investment like this in the City of Troy. The Sol project will transform this long-vacant property into a thoughtful, sustainable development that strengthens the neighborhood, supports working professionals, and honors Troy’s historic character while addressing today’s housing needs. This is an example of how collaboration at all levels can deliver lasting benefits for our community.”
Senator Jake Ashby said, “This project fills a critically important gap in our housing supply: units for talented young people who should be able to afford to embark on a career in the Capital Region. Anytime we invest in our housing stock, we’re driving down prices and increasing accessibility for everyone. That it’s a zero-emission development is a credit to the Rosenblum Companies’ ingenuity and New York State’s commitment to sustainability. I’m pleased to support this project.”
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “New York remains focused on growing the amount of available housing across the state to promote sustainable economic growth. Replacing a blighted former bank with new green apartments will further encourage more people to live and work in Downtown Troy, creating an even more vibrant community.”
Doreen M. Harris, President & CEO, NYSERDA said, “The Buildings of Excellence Competition encourages industry experts to push the boundaries of resilient building design and development, and Rosenblum Development Corporation embraces this mission by bringing the first all-electric, zero-emission multifamily building to the City of Troy. NYSERDA is proud to support projects like Sol that demonstrate how to bring clean, modern living to New York communities and inspire other developers and design teams to adopt low emission and electric building solutions.”
Rensselaer County Chamber President/CEO Norris Pearson said, “With the launch of Sol, Rosenblum has once again placed itself at the forefront of innovative, community-conscious development. By blending thoughtful design, sustainability, and affordability, Sol not only addresses the urgent need for quality housing—but does so in a way that supports the growing number of young professionals and essential service workers who are vital to the Capital Region’s economy. This forward-thinking project reflects exactly the kind of commitment to inclusive growth and smart urban planning that will help our communities thrive well into the future. We are proud to have Rosenblum Development Corporation as a valued partner in building a stronger, more accessible Capital Region for all.”
Downtown Troy Business Improvement District Executive Director Olivia Clemente said, “As someone who works closely with our downtown businesses and residents, I see every day how much we need more attainable housing options in Troy. Sol is a step in the right direction, bringing energy-efficient design, affordability for young professionals, and thoughtful amenities that truly fit the way people live and work today. I’m excited to see this kind of forward-thinking development in our community.”
Sol was designed by Reveal Architecture in Saratoga with Sustainable Comfort, Inc. (SCI) in the dual roles of Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC) and NYSERDA Primary Energy Consultant (PEC), combining regional multifamily design experience with passive house expertise. Mr. Corp was previously project architect for Rosenblum’s other Troy multifamily properties, The News Apartments and Vicina – Modern Urban Flats. Aries Power, an Albany-area distributed generation development company, is the Solar PV Project Manager. Jersen Construction is the General Contractor.
Pre-leasing of apartments is scheduled to begin in Spring 2026, with apartments available for occupancy August 2026. Prospective residents can sign up for updates about construction and leasing at www.sol.apartments.
