The blackened skeleton of Colby’s Ol’ Towne Tavern, one of the oldest dining establishments in Rochester, remained standing for almost a year after a five-alarm fire gutted its interior.

But demolition crews began shredding the building on Dec. 26 to make way for new construction projects on Hanson Street. By the end of the day, the structure that housed innumerable memories for residents of the Lilac City had been flattened, leaving a gaping hole filled with debris.

The devastating blaze that erupted on Jan. 6, 2006, began in Colby’s at 17 Hanson St. and quickly spread to the neighboring building at 13 Hanson St., which housed Big Heads Bar and Grill and several apartments.

Big Heads owner and developer Michael Negm later purchased the tavern with plans to tear it down and construct a new building, Rochester Planning Director Kenneth Ortmann said. A new Big Heads location opened on Main Street last spring, and Negm will soon begin work on a new project at 13 Hanson St., Ortmann added.

Colby’s former owner, Dan Davis Jr., wanted to rebuild the restaurant exactly as it appeared before the fire, but the city was opposed to the idea because the building’s height was inconsistent with surrounding structures. Negm later spoke with Davis and arranged to purchase the property.

The new building at 13 Hanson St. will consist of commercial space on the first floor and at least a dozen residential units on upper floors, Ortmann said. He was not certain what type of building would be erected at 17 Hanson St., but suspected it would feature a similar configuration, with a retail store on the ground level and residential units or office space above.

Ortmann expected construction on new projects to begin in the spring. Although the Colby’s building underwent numerous modifications over the years, he acknowledged the establishment had historical significance in the city.

“Colby’s clearly was a historic name and location for a food establishment,” he said. “Anything lasts long enough and it becomes historic.”