Troy

The News Apartments, Rosenblum Companies' $23.4 million project to convert the former Record Newspapers building at Fifth Avenue and Broadway into apartments and retail space, is expecting its first residents in May.

By early autumn, the building, with more than 100 apartments of various sizes and configurations, will be completed. A model apartment is already on view, and others are in various stages of construction.

Rosenblum extended The Record building, the oldest part of which dates from 1906, east along Broadway to Sixth Avenue and then south on Sixth toward the Troy police station. The five-story addition includes an enclosed parking garage on the ground floor, while an outdoor, secure parking area is behind the L-shaped structure.

The new wing includes a rooftop "sky deck" with gas firepit and grilling station, a package delivery room, co-working space, pet spa, lounges, bicycle storage and repair areas, wifi and a fitness center.

The developers have worked to preserve historic details, including interior brick walls, steel beams and latticework, and original terrazzo floors in several areas.

Rents range from $1,100 for a studio apartment to $2,450 for a three-bedroom apartment with a loft.

An "all-in living" fee that covers hot and cold water, electricity, high-definition DirecTV, heating and cooling and high-speed wireless Internet, ranges from $150 to $195 per month, depending on apartment size.

Heat is provided through a geothermal system consisting of 42 wells that were drilled 490 feet into the earth, said Seth Rosenblum, the companies' CEO.

While the development won't seek LEED — Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design — certification, "we're trying to make sure we're (offering) as many environmentally friendly features as we can," said Jeffrey Mirel, executive vice president of Rosenblum Companies. Pavement is porous to mitigate rain runoff, while energy-efficient LED fixtures have been installed throughout.

The News is the latest in a number of downtown apartment buildings that are seeking to meet demand from baby boomers and millennials. Along River Street, several former factory buildings have been converted to apartments, while the upper floors of commercial buildings have also been converted into apartments in office space for a growing number of technology companies.

A new hotel and an apartment and office building are planned for Sixth Avenue, one block south of The News.

"We were hoping this project would be one of several projects that would help re-invigorate the Sixth (Avenue) corridor," said Mirel, who called the downtown itself as one of the top amenities drawing people to the city.

"Troy is particularly well-preserved," he said.