Syracuse, NY – The founder of Pyramid Cos. Robert J. Congel, head of the shopping mall empire that includes Destiny USA, has died at the age of 85.
Congel’s son Stephen J. Congel, CEO of the company founded by his father, confirmed Thursday night that the developer died Wednesday at his home in Manlius.
“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 five 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 with many more to fulfill.
“He changed many lives. Since 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 from our company, as well as all the Pyramid alumni, than any building he has ever built. The world would not be the same without him. We appreciate the appreciation of friends and family, colleagues, the community and business partners during this difficult time. “
Bob Congel on the parachute at the Carousel Center Mall. David Lassman / The Post-Standard
Congel has been in poor health for the past few years and has handed over the management of his mall empire to his son Stephen.
Bob Congel, a native of Syracuse, founded Pyramid in 1968 as a small construction company, first focusing on the installation of sewer pipes. But within a few years, he moved into the more lucrative world of shopping center development, just as the country’s shopping mall craze began.
Pyramid, based in Syracuse, has grown into the largest developer of shopping malls in the Northeast, owning, leasing and managing 15 properties.
Congel opened the Carousel Center shopping center in 1990 on a former scrap yard on the south shore of Lake Onondaga, 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 competitive and even larger than the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota. To build it, he demanded – and obtained – a controversial 30-year property tax exemption from the city. In return, he promised that the mall would help the economy in Central New York attract visitors from around the world.
The project has had numerous legal disputes with the city over the tax treaty and with borrowers over financing, and subsequent delays with construction caused by the Great Recession in 2008. of the legal disputes and completed the addition of 850,000 square feet in 2012 and renamed the shopping center Destiny USA.
Although he dropped plans for more expansions of the mall, the addition made it the largest mall in New York and the sixth largest in the United States.
The mall helped turn a polluted former industrial neighborhood known as Oil City into a thriving commercial and residential center.
Congel also played a major role in transforming the former New Process Gear plant and several other dilapidated industrial buildings on Franklin Square into attractive office, retail and residential developments.
In addition, he redeveloped the Clinton Exchange, the former federal court building and post office in Clinton Square, in Pyramid’s headquarters.
Ben Walsh, mayor of Syracuse, said Kongel would be remembered as “one of the most influential business leaders in the history of Syracuse.”
“His vision, tireless work ethic and determination have helped to transform the city of Syracuse and to transform distressed and forgotten lands into valuable landmarks,” he said in a statement.
“He changed Oil City to Destiny USA; the old New Process Gear factory made the jewel of Franklin Square and restored the old Federal Building in the majestic Clinton Exchange. My thoughts are with his family and all the people of the Pyramid companies. ”
Rebranding celebration 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
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