Have you noticed anything oddly familiar on the Rochester city skyline?

The NERM 2022 Organizing Committee began planning our meeting in late 2017. In our initial steps, we developed the theme “Focusing on the Future of Chemistry.” and considered ideas for a logo. As a way to involve our Region’s membership, we organized and promoted a logo design contest. The submissions were reviewed by our Communications Team and the winning design, submitted by Joseph Lott, was selected. The logo was touched up and digitized by graphic designer Christian Repass.

The Organizing Committee recognized this particular logo design evoked the image of a characteristic building on the Rochester city skyline. That building is the Times Square Building (also known as the Genesee Valley Trust Building).

  • Photo of Times Square Building - Wings of Progress
  • Vintage photo of Times Square Building

Though not the tallest building in Rochester, the Times Square Building is one of the most noticeable. The building can be seen in the western portion of the city skyline. It has a design characterized by distinct Art Deco elements at its top. There are four aluminum wings each 42 feet high and weighing 12,000 pounds. Architect Ralph T. Walker called these the “Wings of Progress”, symbolizing the age of aviation. The tower was originally intended to serve as a night beacon to aviators.


Wings of Progress are like Rochester’s Empire State Building

Democrat & Chronicle Article, March 18, 2017

The building was formerly the Genesee Valley Trust Bank. Ironically, the cornerstone was laid on October 29, 1929, “Black Tuesday” of the 1929 Stock market crash and start of the Great Depression. An additional fun fact about the Times Square building is that a NY State protected Peregrine Falcon nesting box is located at the top of the tower. The residing falcons can be observed in real time by remote camera.

Falcons

With such a rich meaning and array of interesting facts, we thought it would be a natural fit to weave this iconic visual into our logo design.

For more information:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Times_Square_Building_(Rochester)
https://rocwiki.org/Times_Square_Building
http://www.rochestersubway.com/topics/2013/01/tour-rochesters-times-square-b uilding-photos/

Photos used with permission. Photographer: Ryan Green
http://www.flickr.com/photos/emu5088/8344608738/in/album-72157632535204922/