Inspired By 1920s Photo, McGreevy ProLab & ProPress Restores Broadway Building to its Original Facade

August 7, 2026

More Than $135,000 Historical Restoration Project Completed At 376-378 Broadway

 

After several years of planning and a year of community-supported restoration work McGreevy ProLab & ProPress marked the completion of its facade restoration project on Thursday which returned all the storefront’s original historical features. City of Albany Mayor Dr. Dorcey Applyrs, Capitalize Albany Corporation, the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District and Historic Albany Foundation joined owner Neil McGreevy and project partners to mark the project’s completion with a ribbon cutting ceremony. McGreevy ProLab & ProPress is a top-quality photo lab and digital press printing service which has been in business for more than 35 years and at its 376-378 Broadway location for the past 30.

 

On September 24, McGreevy ProLab & ProPress will be recognized by Historic Albany Foundation as part of the Preservation Merit Awards Class of 2026, receiving the “Main Street” award for outstanding revitalization efforts.

 

“The most rewarding part of this project was returning the building to its original historic storefront with the second-floor railing. Lower Broadway is an important southern gateway into the city, and we hope this investment strengthens the identity and character of this historic row of buildings and district,” said owner of McGreevy ProLab and ProPress, Neil McGreevy. “Thank you to the many involved in making this idea come to life and a special thank you to Capitalize Albany Corporation, John G. Waite Associates, Architects, Albany Artisans, Fazio Masonry, and Dan Northrup Welding. We are proud to be part of Lower Broadway’s continued revitalization and look forward to seeing this historic corridor thrive for years to come.”

 

“McGreevy ProLab and ProPress has been a stalwart presence on south Broadway (newly christened SoBro for those in the know) for decades in its 1849 building with a notably 1950s storefront. The design was based on historic photographs of the building which complements the historic nature of the block but also brings greater visibility to their storefront with increased awareness and business.  All of us at HAF appreciate the work, time and care that went into this restoration and for Neil to set the preservation example on Broadway,” said Historic Albany Foundation executive director Pam Howard. 

 

The restored storefront today features traditional wood framing, wood panel bulkheads, a single recessed entryway and three large display windows with transoms along with a unique decorative steel railing at the second level which was seen in a 1920s photo, an early photo of the building which was constructed in 1849.

 

Beyond restoring the facade’s features, a critical aspect of the project was maintenance and repair work to prevent deterioration. The existing wood windows on the upper floors were restored with repair of pulleys, sash cords and weights, painting, glazing and caulking. The original cast iron lintels and sills were sanded, caulked and repainted. The brickwork on the entire facade was repointed with high-lime mortar to match the historic color and texture. Loose or cracked bricks were repaired or replaced. Finally, roof resurfacing was completed and the sheet metal cornice with carved wooded brackets that runs the top width of the building was repaired and painted.

 

The restoration was carried out with the enthusiastic contributions of many, including John G. Waite Associates, a leading historic preservation architecture firm that provided research, architectural renderings, and project oversight. Carpentry work was completed by Albany Artisans, brickwork by Fazio Masonry, welding work by Dan Northrup, and Fratelli Fabrication created the storefront cornice. The project was undertaken with support from the Downtown Albany Retail and City of Albany Small Business Facade Improvement grant programs, which are administered by Capitalize Albany Corporation and made possible by the City of Albany Capital Resource Corporation. The Downtown Albany Business Improvement District assisted in identifying possible funding and generating community engagement. 

 

 “The grant support couldn’t have found a better home, McGreevy ProLab is a longstanding business shining a light on this historic district with this amazing project which came together with the support of many,” said Capitalize Albany Corporation president Ashley Mohl. “Coming up, in September another round of the Facade Program will be returning giving business owners support needed to reinvest, strengthening commercial districts and providing opportunities for new neighborhood investment citywide. Our Amplify Albany, Downtown and Neighborhood Retail grant programs are also always open to new applications on a rolling basis.”

 

“The restoration of McGreevy ProLab & ProPress’s storefront has brought back its original historical features and added to the character of Downtown Albany,” said Senator Patricia Fahy (D–Albany). “The grants administered through Capitalize Albany’s Small Business Facade Improvement programs not only connect Albany to its history through architecture; they bring history to life. Seeing historic buildings like 376-378 Broadway as they were designed over 150 years ago operating as a small business in our community today, matching the texture and color of its origin, reminds every person that walks or drives by of the storied history of our Capital City. These grants restore the past and look to the future by including efforts to maintain and prevent deterioration so McGreevy ProLab & ProPress can keep these historical features prominent in their storefront. Congratulations to Neil McGreevy, and thank you to the Capitalize Albany Corporation for providing the grant and bringing new life to this historic building.”

 

“The Facade Improvement project at McGreevy’s is a shining example of how this grant program can empower transformational change. McGreevy’s has been a long-trusted business in Downtown, and now, the exterior reflects the same quality and professionalism customers experience inside. Downtown Albany is a historic city, and we take great pride in preserving and enhancing our buildings. We thank Capitalize Albany Corporation for providing this valuable grant opportunity and encourage all eligible businesses looking to enhance their street-level customer experience to take advantage of this program and apply,” said Downtown Albany Business Improvement District executive director Georgette Steffens.

 

In September the City of Albany Small Business Facade Improvement Program will open an application period for its eighth round, details will be made available in a forthcoming announcement. The citywide program is designed to provide matching grants to assist eligible small businesses and not-for-profits with up to $10,000 for exterior renovations. More information is available at www.capitalizealbany.com/grants/.

 

376-378 Broadway was built by lumber merchant Oliver Steele in 1849, after the Great August Fire of 1848 which destroyed the three-story brick building that formally stood on the site as well as 37 acres in downtown Albany. Throughout its 176-year history, the building has been in continuous use as a business. Among many others it has been home to Cushman & Co. from 1857 to 1899, Buckingham Investing from 1920 to 1927, Chef’s Restaurant from 1946 to 1979 and its current occupant, McGreevy ProLab & ProPress has been at this location for the past 30 years.

 

During the 1950s the storefront had been renovated. Prior to this restoration project it featured wide aluminum encasement trim and two large-plate glass windows that each angled back to separate entry doors. The brickwork below the windows was of a newer style compared to the upper floors, blue-stone tiles were used on the side walls and above the windows. Records show that this was the third renovation of the original store.

 

Since its inception in 2016, the Downtown Albany Retail Grant Program has proven to be an advantageous tool in attracting new and supporting the expansion of existing downtown businesses. The program has supported more than a dozen new and expanding businesses in recent years, helping revitalize the city’s urban core. Since its launch, the program has leveraged more than $2 million in private investment and helped attract a diverse mix of restaurants, retailers, and creative spaces including The Bevy Vintage Collective, Viva Empanadas, Loch & Quay, and Stacks Espresso bar.

 

Capitalize Albany has been administering the Small Business Facade Improvement Program since 2018. To date more than $350,000 in program funding has been disbursed leveraging more than $730,000 in private investment, more than twice the amount of grant resources — $2.36 for every $1 of program support.