Video transcript: The Mizpah Tower enters a new chapter
Nick King: Church bells – a reminder of the long history behind the Mizpah Tower. The former church, built in 1914, still stands tall at the corner of East Jefferson and Montgomery Street. However, after the congregation left in 1988, and following a short stint as a concert venue, the building has sat abandoned since 1992. But that is about to change. The Mizpah, a bar and wine sanctuary named after the tower, is taking over the building’s main hall, hosting its first tasting today. However, owner Michael Greene says what makes the project special isn’t just the business coming in it’s the place it calls home.
Michael Greene: I mean, I think the location, the building and the architecture itself are what are going to define this space. I mean, even in things like the logo we have, like, we really just lean into the sense of place that’s here. So we think that when people walk in here, the architecture and the history of the building are really going to define the people that come here.
King: The bar isn’t simply just located at the historic site. It plans to honor that history, and reflect its significance.
Ben Walsh: He’s going to let the building do the talking. The architecture, the sanctuary, is what people want to see. So I think the idea is to preserve the space as it is, to create opportunities for people to come in, to have a business that will draw people in from not just downtown or the city, but from the region as well.
King: And for Mayor Walsh, preserving the building isn’t just about aesthetics — it’s about keeping a piece of Syracuse’s identity alive.
Walsh: They don’t make buildings like this anymore. And one of my favorite parts of my job is getting to see these amazing spaces. And so for anyone that has an appreciation for historic architecture, that has an appreciation for setting local business when this place opens up, I encourage people to come down and experience this historic, sacred space.
King: The Mizpah Tower’s history begins its newest chapter in February of 2026 when the bar is set to open. For NCC News, I’m Nick King.
SYRACUSE, NY (NCC News) — After more than three decades of sitting empty, the Mizpah Tower in downtown Syracuse is preparing to reopen its doors as a bar and wine sanctuary aiming to celebrate the building’s history while bringing fresh life to downtown Syracuse.
Built in 1914 as a church, the site hosted everything from services to concerts, but in 1992, the building fell into disuse. However, that chapter is now coming to an end.
The Mizpah, a bar and wine sanctuary named after the tower itself, is taking over the building’s main room and hosted its “First Tasting” on Tuesday.
However, the new bar isn’t just a fresh addition to the downtown scene. As owner Michael Greene said, it’s also a symbol to honor the character and history of the century-old structure.
“The location, the building and the architecture itself are what are going to define this space,” Greene said. “We really lean into the sense of place that’s here. When people walk in, the architecture and the history of the building are really going to define the people that come here.”
City officials, like Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh, echoed that vision, claiming that the project focuses on preservation as much as business development.
“He’s going to let the building do the talking,” Walsh said about Greene. “The architecture, the sanctuary, that is what people want to see. The idea is to preserve the space as it is and create opportunities for people to come in from not just downtown or the city, but from the region as well.”
Waslh added that restoring the tower not only honors its history, but also brings cultural value back to the city.
“They don’t make buildings like this anymore,” Walsh said. “For anyone who appreciates historic architecture and supports local business, I encourage people to come down and experience this historic, sacred space.”
The Mizpah is scheduled to open in February of 2026.