Harmony Group is a vertically integrated real estate investment and development firm based in Albany, New York. The company specializes in identifying undervalued properties, revitalizing distressed assets, and executing complex development projects nationwide. Harmony Group has built a reputation for transforming historic sites into vibrant living spaces, blending modern needs with architectural integrity.
A Focus on Preservation and Excellence
Harmony Group is committed to more than just developing properties; it focuses on improving communities. The company transforms underused industrial buildings into high-quality residential spaces that benefit their occupants and the surrounding area. The team’s dedication to excellence and service ensures that each project exceeds expectations and enhances the neighborhoods it serves.
A key aspect of Harmony Group’s work is its dedication to historic preservation. Rather than demolishing old structures, the company seeks to honor and restore them. By preserving the architectural beauty of its buildings, Harmony Group Capital, LLC enhances the neighborhood's identity and fosters a sense of continuity. The company believes that well-preserved architecture can positively influence the community’s culture, offering a living experience that connects the past with the future.
Harmony Group’s Recognized Project Achievements
The Lofts at Harmony Mills
Among the successful projects undertaken by the Harmony Group is the restoration of Harmony Mills in Cohoes, New York, for which Kaufman was recognized with the New York State Preservation League Excellence Award. Cohoes is in the northeast corner of Albany County.
Harmony Mills was a $25 million renovation project that converted the world’s largest cotton mill in 1872 into an 850,000 square foot complex featuring 231 luxury units along the Mohawk River, offering a beautiful view of Hudson Falls. The project's goal was to create a community of modern loft living, much like those seen in the SoHo/TriBeCa area of New York City, which Harmony Mills successfully achieved. The project's first phase began in 2007 with 96 units, followed by the second phase in 2010, which added the remaining 135 units.
Harmony Mills offers apartments with 14 to 17-foot ceilings, indoor parking, a fitness room, an indoor pool, amenities, and soaring views. Its sleek design complements the Victorian architecture that made this building a National Landmark. Harmony Mills offers a professional staff and service team, all the comforts of home, pet-friendly units, and luxury services for the community of hard-working professionals who call it home.
Harmony Mills is featured on the New York State Historic Preservation Office website, hailed by officials as perhaps the finest example of restoring New York’s rich architectural heritage.
Albany Lofts at One Broadway
Another Harmony Group restoration project is the Albany Lofts at One Broadway. Previously located at the Albany Felt Company’s headquarters in Menands, New York, Harmony Group converted the historic mill into high-end residential lofts, and is another example of a preserved architectural gem repurposed for modern living. The Albany Felt Company, now known as Albany International, was founded in 1895 and initially focused on producing machine felts.
The building features 145 charming, upscale loft-style studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments with distinctive community and apartment amenities. Harmony Group preserved the original architectural elements like industrial windows, high vaulted ceilings, and hardwood floors. The redevelopment reinvigorated the surrounding neighborhood, creating modern residential living while honoring the site’s historic and cultural significance.
From Attorney to Real Estate Developer
Uri Kaufman, the founder of Harmony Group, transitioned from a successful career as an attorney to a visionary real estate developer. Kaufman was drawn to the architectural potential of Upstate New York, where historic buildings were ripe for redevelopment. After leaving the law, Kaufman founded Harmony Group to merge his passion for historic preservation with his vision for community revitalization.
Through his leadership, Harmony Group has successfully developed and redeveloped properties that honor the past while creating vibrant, livable spaces for the future. Kaufman’s focus on preserving the cultural heritage of each building, while providing modern living environments, has been a driving force behind the company’s success.
