SYRACUSE — A team of Baldwinsville-based real estate professionals and artists have come together to assist in the revitalization of downtown Syracuse. Steve Case, founder of Acropolis Development, has teamed up with designer and real estate agent Rebecca Ewald to turn The Stoop — once a restaurant — into a pair of luxury Airbnb lofts. Baldwinsville creatives Becka Miller of Miller’s Crossing Design and Jacqueline Colello are adding their artistic touches to the project.
Case acquired The Stoop in 2019 and originally planned to turn the space into high-end apartments, but Ewald, who has made a name for herself in the local real estate world by artfully staging homes, had a different vision for the space. She convinced Case that they could carve their own niche: luxury vacation rentals.
“It is a really fabulous space and a really cool idea that Syracuse hasn’t seen yet,” Ewald said.
“The downtown lifestyle is coming back. People love the ability to walk to shops and restaurants and be part of the resurgence of downtown,” said Case. “You’re in the heart of Armory Square and guests can take advantage of its great location to really experience the best of Syracuse.”
Each villa has a different vibe. Loft No. 1 is decorated in serene neutrals with a “wabi-sabi” sensibility — the Japanese philosophy of embracing the beauty in imperfection. The patina of the building’s original brick remains, juxtaposed against modern furnishings.
Loft No. 2, Miller said, has more of a “California vibe” — bright colors, vibrant paintings and a party-ready patio. Miller hand-painted a distressed orange hutch for the living area.
“It was a fun collaboration and hopefully we’ll be doing more,” she said.
Painter Jacqueline Colello is planning a mural that will greet vacationers at the top of the stairs when entering the building.
“As soon as I walked up the stairs … I felt drawn to it,” Colello said.
Colello, who is currently painting a mural on the side of Francesca’s Cucina on the Northside of Syracuse, said the pandemic forced people to slow down and “look at life through a different lens,” focusing on art, music and community.
“I think our city is bringing art with it as it starts to reopen,” she said.
Colello, who will complete her mural at The Villas at The Stoop this winter, said she is excited about the collaboration with Ewald.
“She’s poured her heart and soul in this, and to just be able to complement it like a sprinkle on a cake [is great],” she said.
Colello noted that the team working on The Villas is mostly women, with the exception of Steve Case and Dan Ewald, Rebecca’s husband.
“It’s a bunch of women doing this together … helping each other rise,” Colello said.
Even the project’s marketing professional, Hannah Luiz of Novel Marketing Co., is a woman who lives in Baldwinsville.
“We have a serious B’ville girl squad at The Stoop,” Luiz said.
Ewald said she did not intentionally set out to put together an all-B’ville team. The collaborations came together organically.
“When you start leaning into your hometown like B’ville, the stretch and support is amazing,” Ewald said.
The Villas at The Stoop are located at 311 W. Fayette St. in Syracuse. To learn more or to book a stay, visit thevillasatthestoop.com.
