Syracuse, NY – the founder of Pyramid Cos. Robert J. Congel, head of the shopping center empire that includes Destiny USA, died at the age of 85.
Congel’s son Stephen J. Congel, CEO of the company founded by his father, confirmed late on Thursday that the developer died on Wednesday at his home in Manlius.
“I can confirm the death of my father, Robert J. Congel, yesterday afternoon,” said Stephen Congel in a statement. “He passed away very peacefully at home with his wife and 5 children at 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 with many more to accomplish.
“It changed many lives. Having been his son and also having the privilege of working with him for so many years, I know that he was very proud of all the people he employed and whose careers he helped along the way.
“He gained much more joy and pride from the people who made up our company, as well as from all the former students of the Pyramid, than any building he has ever built. The world will not be the same without it. We deeply appreciate the expression of sympathy from friends and family, colleagues, the community and business partners during this difficult time. “
Bob Congel in the parachuting at the Carousel Center Mall. David Lassman / The Post-Standard
Congel had been in poor health for the past few years and handed over the management of his shopping empire to his son Stephen.
Bob Congel, a native of Syracuse, founded Pyramid as a small construction company in 1968, initially focusing on the installation of sewer pipes. But in just a few years, he moved into the more profitable world of shopping center development, once the shopping mall building craze exploded in the country.
Pyramid, from Siracusa, has grown to become the largest developer of privately held shopping centers in the Northeast, owning, renting and operating 15 properties.
Congel opened the Carousel Center mall in an old junkyard on the south shore of Lake Onondaga in 1990, his first major project in his hometown.
In the early 2000s, he proposed a massive expansion of the Carousel Center, a series of additions that would make it a rival and even exceed the size of the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota. To build it, he demanded – and obtained – a controversial exemption from property tax on the city for 30 years. In return, he promised that the mall would help transform the economy of central New York, attracting visitors from around the world.
The project has spawned numerous legal disputes with the city over the tax business and with creditors over financing, and then construction delays caused by the Great Recession in 2008. But Congel, who never takes no for an answer or accepts defeat, prevailed in all of the legal disputes and completed the addition of 850,000 square feet in 2012 and renamed the Destiny USA mall.
Although he abandoned plans for further expansion of the mall, the addition made it the largest mall in New York and the sixth largest in the United States.
The mall helped transform an old polluted industrial neighborhood known as Oil City into a thriving commercial and residential center.
Congel also played an important role in transforming the old New Process Gear factory and several other run-down industrial buildings in Franklin Square into attractive residential, retail and office developments.
In addition, he revamped the Clinton Exchange, the former federal court and post office in Clinton Square, at Pyramid headquarters.
Siracusa Mayor Ben Walsh said Congel will be remembered as “one of the most influential business leaders in Syracuse’s history”.
“His vision, tireless work ethic and determination helped to transform the city of Syracuse, converting distressed and forgotten places into valuable landmarks,” he said in a statement.
“He transformed Oil City into Destiny USA; transformed the former New Process Gear factory into the jewel of Franklin Square and restored the former Federal Building to the majestic Clinton Exchange. My thoughts are with your family and everyone at the Pyramid Companies. “
The celebration of the brand redesign when Carousel Mall becomes Destiny USA is held in the new part of the mall known as The Canyon. Developer Robert Congel speaks of the stage. David Lassman / The Post-StandardDavid Lassman | syracuse.com
Rick Moriarty covers business news and consumer issues. Have a tip, comment or idea for a story? Contact him anytime: The e-mail | Twitter | Facebook | 315-470-3148