Urban Core
Who we are
Urban Core LLC is an urban property development and operating company with a triple bottom line approach: being a successful business, making the world a better place, and having fun with what we do.
We are urbanists with a strong design sense who have a very interactive way of working with consultants, the city, our tenants, and the public. We have strong opinions but also love good ideas of others.
We build communities by creating a canvas on which an ecosystem of small businesses can build
and grow. We understand that a great project involves good design of the built environment AND optimization of the program to enhance urban quality of life.
We create engaging urban spaces and buildings that draw people in with a sense of delight while also being practical for community use and enjoyment in their daily lives. We focus relentlessly on the success of our tenants.
Current acclaimed projects of Urban Core include:
Press Bay Alley
116 W. Green Street
Press Bay Court
110 W. Green Street
The Exchange Building
121 W. State Street, home of the Watershed
Ithaca Journal Building
123 W. State Street
Historic Macera House
125 W. Green Street
Press Bay Alley & Court
Press Bay Alley is a unique downtown retailing experience consisting of a series of micro-retail spaces in a converted row of storage bays that borders on the former Press Bay where the Ithaca Journal newspaper was printed. The Press Bay warehouse is presently home to FormaPath, manufacturing innovative medical testing technology, while the micro-retail spaces house Tacos CDMX authentic tacos, The Press Cafe artisan espresso bar, Mama Said Hand Pies savory and sweet pies to go, Circus Culture community circus school, Sparks + Embers boutique, and Midas Menagerie with curated vintage home goods. The vision that created the alley was one of creative reuse and urban revitalization. A project of Urban Core, LLC, partners John Guttridge and David Kuckuk sought to "Drag civilization a block westward," injecting new life into a neglected corner of our city. Press Bay Alley seeks to serve as a signpost for how cool downtown can be that is clearly visible to motorists who might just pass through as they approach downtown from the west. The Alley is a fabric of things that weaves together to create a vibrant and engaging environment by combining the energies of many entrepreneurs, makers, and doers in one place we build a more exciting and resilient environment than what would be with a single large tenant.
Building connections.
Urban Core values and actively pursues positive and effective long term relationships with contractors, tradespeople, tenants, officials, consultants, friends and many others.
John Guttridge
John Guttridge is the founder and managing partner of Urban Core LLC and the energetic visionary who drives daily operations, finds new opportunities, and maintains long term direction.
David Kuckuk
David Kuckuk, AIA is the co-founder and member of Urban Core LLC whose primary role is to follow John around and go, “wow!”