Syracuse, NY – Founder of Pyramid Cos. Robert J. Congel, head of the shopping empire that includes Destiny USA, has passed away at the age of 85.
Congel’s son, Stephen J. Congel, CEO of the company his father founded, confirmed on Thursday evening that the developer died in his home in Manlius on Wednesday.
“I can confirm the death of my father, Robert J. Congel, yesterday afternoon,” Stephen Congel said in a statement. “He died very peacefully at home with his wife and 5 children by his side. Those who knew him know that he was a force of nature, a visionary who saw many of his dreams come true, while constantly challenging us to fulfill many more.
‘He has changed many lives. Because he was his son and had the privilege of working with him for so many years, I know he was most proud of all the people he employed and whose careers he helped along the way.
“He got a lot more joy and pride from the people that made up our company, as well as from all the Pyramid alumni, than any building he has ever built. The world will not be the same without him. We deeply appreciate the expressions of compassion from friends and family, colleagues, the community and business partners during this difficult time. “
Bob Congel on the skydeck at the Carousel Center Mall. David Lassman / The Post-Standard
Congel has been in poor health for the past few years and has turned over the management of his shopping center empire to his son Stephen.
Syracuse-born Bob Congel founded Pyramid as a small construction company in 1968, initially focused on installing sewer pipes. But within a few years, he transitioned into the more lucrative world of shopping center development, just as the craze of shopping center building took off.
Syracuse-based Pyramid has grown to become the largest privately-owned shopping center developer in the Northeast, with 15 properties owned, leased and operated.
Congel opened the Carousel Center shopping center in 1990 on a former junkyard on the south shore of Lake Onondaga, his first major project in his hometown.
In the early 2000s, he proposed a massive extension to the Carousel Center, a series of additions that could rival and even grow larger than the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota. To build it, he demanded – and received – a controversial 30-year property tax exemption from the city. In return, he promised the mall would help transform Central New York’s economy by attracting visitors from around the world.
The project culminated in numerous legal disputes with the city over the tax deal and with lenders over funding, and then construction delays were caused by the Great Recession in 2008. But Congel, never one to take no or accept defeat, prevailed. of the legal disputes and completed the 850,000-square-foot addition in 2012 and renamed the mall Destiny USA.
Although he dropped plans for more expansions to the mall, the addition made it the largest shopping center in New York and the sixth largest in the United States.
The mall helped transform a polluted former industrial district known as Oil City into a fast-growing commercial and residential center.
Congel was also instrumental in transforming the former New Process Gear factory and several other dilapidated industrial buildings in Franklin Square into attractive office, retail and residential developments.
He also redeveloped the Clinton Exchange, the former federal courthouse and post office on Clinton Square, into Pyramid’s headquarters.
Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said Congel will be remembered as “one of the most influential business leaders in Syracuse history.”
“His vision, tireless work ethic and determination helped transform the city of Syracuse and turn ailing and forgotten locations into valuable landmarks,” he said in a statement.
“He turned Oil City into Destiny USA; turned the old New Process Gear factory into the jewel of Franklin Square and restored the old Federal Building to the majestic Clinton Exchange. My thoughts are with his family and all the people at the Pyramid Companies. “
Rebranding party as the Carousel Mall becomes Destiny USA is being held in the new part of the mall known as The Canyon. Developer Robert Congel speaks from the stage. David Lassman / The Post-StandardDavid Lassman | syracuse.com
Rick Moriarty covers business news and consumer issues. Do you have a tip, comment or story idea? Contact him at any time: E-mail | Twitter | Facebook | 315-470-3148