The Onondaga Music Building was opened as the Wood C. H. Company Machinery in 1914. The Onondaga Music Co. owned the building, and stood as the oldest retail company in continuous operation in the city, selling musical instruments, music sheets and providing music lessons. The space housed a variety of nightlife establishments until it was purchased by Max Chutinthranond in June 2013. Planning is underway to renovate the building for mixed-use.
The plan is to repair and renovate the building, while preserving the historic quality as a National Register building. Residing within a registered historic district, the Onondaga Music Building contributes to the character of the Armory Square district. Built after the turn of the century, its four stories and materials are in harmony with other 19th century structures. It demonstrates the development of warehouse buildings, as the advancement of building structural systems progressed – larger window space, steel structural system, and copper panels.
The Onondaga Music Building will be renovated to include a restaurant and banquet facility, commercial space, and apartments, all while preserving the historic character of the building. The first floor will provide a full-service restaurant with the capacity of a banquet facility. Commercial space will also be available on the first floor for a partial lease. The second to fourth floors will be renovated into 21 apartments, seven apartments per floor. Units will range in size from 878 square feet to 1,319 square feet, with either one or two bedrooms, and one or two baths. All apartments will feature hardwood floors, porcelain tile floors in baths, carpeted bedrooms, exposed brick walls & timber beams, cherry wood kitchen cabinets, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, washer/dryer in every unit, individual heating & cooling equipment, energy-efficient windows, on-site storage, and 10’ ceilings with an open floor plan. The Onondaga Music Building is conveniently located in the heart of downtown in the Armory Square District, with nearby, convenient parking.