Unable to find a compromise, La Vetta removes rooftop igloos

Heat from the city has proved fatal for the rooftop igloos at La Vetta.

"This certainly has been a journey and we are so grateful for all of the support, but the igloos have been taken down," Bruce Paine, the restaurant's general manager, wrote  this week on Facebook. "Working to find a resolution where there wasn’t one turned out to just be false hope."

Paine had been in talks with the city about trying to find a way to keep the propane-heated igloos up for the remainder of the winter. City officials, who were not consulted prior to the igloos going up, had expressed concerns that the structures were in violation of fire and building safety codes. 

Noting that other cities have similar attractions, Paine indicated he is optimistic the restaurant can work with professionals in architecture and engineering to find a way forward by next winter.

"There wasn’t a solution for these igloos, but we can work on other options that will be approved," said Paine. "Surprisingly, these igloos brought many people from around our state and other states to downtown Rochester so we look forward to trying again."

The inside portion of La Vetta will remain open through the winter.

Cover photo by Med City Beat