BUFFALO | Development Thread [Archive] - Page 25

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Tedious

Sep 22, 2013, 4:30 AM

What do you guys think of the green and yellow color scheme? I'm not sure I've seen those colors on a hospital before. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing...

Since this is a children's hospital, anything that makes the building more fun and funky and less hospital-esque is good in my book.

Tedious

Sep 24, 2013, 7:43 PM

Houk Lofts Nearing Completion

http://buffalorising.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Houk-Lofts-Buffalo-NY-770x300.jpg

"Developer Rocco Termini’s Houk Lofts are nearing completion, with residents scheduled to move in this coming weekend. Eighteen of the 22 units have already been pre-leased, a number that Termini tells me is on schedule. Half of the apartments are singles, and half are doubles outfitted with two full bathrooms. All for the lofts are incredibly unique in their own ways thanks to the sensitive incorporation of many of the historic architectural elements that have been preserved. The rooms all retain as much of the original integrity of the building as possible, including oversized fire doors that now serve as decorative conversation pieces"

http://i2.wp.com/buffalorising.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Houk-new-Buffalo-NY-3.jpg?resize=1000%2C1000

http://buffalorising.com/2013/09/houk-lofts-a-poster-child-for-new-urbanism/

ladsnine

Sep 27, 2013, 3:38 AM

From the photos, the Houk Lofts look GORGEOUS. The design looks like it really plays up the old history of the building and then adds to it with the apartment aesthetics. The windows look incredibly massive, too...talk about light-filled living space. It's kind of ironic that some of them look out onto adjacent corrugated metal walls and such, but the formerly/sort of still industrial neighborhood along the Belt Line is part of the experience, I presume.

Any word on the conversion of the old FWS warehouse on Elmwood? I know the Buffalo Spree signed as anchor tenant maybe 6-8 months ago, planning to move from some random office park in Amherst, but I haven't heard anything since then.

Now if only Rocco would come back downtown with his development projects...the faster more housing gets built, the faster downtown will become vibrant again...

ladsnine

Sep 29, 2013, 2:57 AM

Took a walk around the west side of downtown today:

The Graystone
This looks like it will be done soon. It will be 42 market-rate apartments.

The building dates to the Pan-Am Exposition in 1904 and is one of the oldest reinforced concrete buildings in the world (well, the right 2/3 is -- the left third is standard bearing wall brick). It had been abandoned since at least 2001, when there was a partial roof collapse soon after Ellicott bought it.

http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/3589/n508.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img856/6194/b8hl.jpg

Rehab of one of the grand old mansions on Johnson Park a block to the west.

http://imageshack.us/a/img822/599/ehhp.jpg

250 Delaware Avenue:
I believe here they are doing brownfield remediation on the site of the gas station that was torn down.

http://imageshack.us/a/img4/8776/rhez.jpg

Some nice details on the Delaware Court building (built 1917) that will be torn down for the development. Facade will be re-created as part of the new development.

http://imageshack.us/a/img850/1622/vbr5.jpg

Delaware & Virginia Development

The part on the right is offices for the developer's chiropractor business and on the left, along Virginia St., is townhomes.

http://imageshack.us/a/img580/9016/5cwa.jpg

Close-up of the townhouse side

http://imageshack.us/a/img692/9403/cnwd.jpg

Side view

http://imageshack.us/a/img203/3100/mf41.jpg

The rear - townhouse side

http://imageshack.us/a/img713/5504/mvp9.jpg

Rear - offices side

http://imageshack.us/a/img547/1240/ge9a.jpg

The old carriage house in the rear is being turned into apartments too. The house that Mark Twain lived in during his time in Buffalo (1870-71) was on this site. It was torn down long ago, but this carriage house remains from that time.

http://imageshack.us/a/img703/1579/26cx.jpg

Dinosaur BBQ
This building used to be a film storage vault for Universal Studios, built in the 1940s. It was abandoned for many years but is now being renovated into the 8th location of Dinosaur BBQ.

http://imageshack.us/a/img834/6680/voz3.jpg

Dino has said they will be reusing the "Universal" globe logo that you see on the front of the building.

http://imageshack.us/a/img96/6043/ypat.jpg

The interior. The concrete framing would have been for fireproofing. Film was very flammable.

http://imageshack.us/a/img4/2838/awxs.jpg

Buffalo Club Addition

East side of Elmwood just south of Virginia St.

http://imageshack.us/a/img843/9046/cwxt.jpg

Why is the roof sloped slightly? Is that going to be some type of mansard?

http://imageshack.us/a/img818/8171/6x0j.jpg

westcoastperspective

Oct 1, 2013, 12:35 PM

There's quite a bit of work happening along Delaware and surrounding blocks. Would love to see a few of the parking lots filled in.

Dr Nevergold

Oct 2, 2013, 10:07 PM

A new video worth watching:
sBsi5FGbY2Y

ladsnine

Oct 7, 2013, 12:58 AM

There's quite a bit of work happening along Delaware and surrounding blocks. Would love to see a few of the parking lots filled in.

Agreed, I would love to see as many of downtown's parking lots go away as possible. Only then will it *feel* like a dense and real downtown again. The 250 Delaware development does get rid of a huge parking lot, though, so that's one down. Many more to go.

Speaking of the 250 Delaware development, I live two blocks from the proposed site, so I went to a neighborhood meeting about it on the 1st and they talked about a few of the recent changes. Uniland showed a new rendering of rear of the parking ramp along Elmwood. The major changes are that they are putting in a double-height (21 ft tall ceilings) glass-walled retail space right at the corner of Elmwood & Chippewa, about 2500sf. There will also be a little newspaper stand or something like that next to the Veterinary Hospital.

In terms of small pedestrian improvements, there is a mid-block cut-through on the north side of the building for tours buses and such to park, and they have added a sidewalk to that cut-through so that it can be an alleyway for pedestrians as well, not only cars and buses. Also, they are putting in a new canopy on the Elmwood side of the parking ramp to cover the bus stop across from Hutch Tech.

They passed around a sample of the terra cotta screening material they will be using for the lower floors of the office building and for the parking ramp. It is square in profile and the same tan color that the Delaware Court building is. Speaking of the Delaware Court building, they mentioned that through discussions with the Preservation Board they have agreed to rebuild about 50% of the facade including not only the ornamental elements but also some of the storefront elements.

On a side note, you would think that, two blocks from the edge of downtown, the residents would not be so worried about PARKING and TRAFFIC. And you would be sadly mistaken. My god, it felt like I was in a community meeting in the middle of corn fields in East Amherst or something...

Sorry, I don't have copies of the renderings, and as far as I know they aren't publicly available yet.

westcoastperspective

Oct 9, 2013, 2:42 AM

Agreed, I would love to see as many of downtown's parking lots go away as possible. Only then will it *feel* like a dense and real downtown again. The 250 Delaware development does get rid of a huge parking lot, though, so that's one down. Many more to go.

Speaking of the 250 Delaware development, I live two blocks from the proposed site, so I went to a neighborhood meeting about it on the 1st and they talked about a few of the recent changes. Uniland showed a new rendering of rear of the parking ramp along Elmwood. The major changes are that they are putting in a double-height (21 ft tall ceilings) glass-walled retail space right at the corner of Elmwood & Chippewa, about 2500sf. There will also be a little newspaper stand or something like that next to the Veterinary Hospital.

In terms of small pedestrian improvements, there is a mid-block cut-through on the north side of the building for tours buses and such to park, and they have added a sidewalk to that cut-through so that it can be an alleyway for pedestrians as well, not only cars and buses. Also, they are putting in a new canopy on the Elmwood side of the parking ramp to cover the bus stop across from Hutch Tech.

They passed around a sample of the terra cotta screening material they will be using for the lower floors of the office building and for the parking ramp. It is square in profile and the same tan color that the Delaware Court building is. Speaking of the Delaware Court building, they mentioned that through discussions with the Preservation Board they have agreed to rebuild about 50% of the facade including not only the ornamental elements but also some of the storefront elements.

On a side note, you would think that, two blocks from the edge of downtown, the residents would not be so worried about PARKING and TRAFFIC. And you would be sadly mistaken. My god, it felt like I was in a community meeting in the middle of corn fields in East Amherst or something...

Sorry, I don't have copies of the renderings, and as far as I know they aren't publicly available yet.

Good info!

Tedious

Oct 24, 2013, 4:36 AM

Agreed, I would love to see as many of downtown's parking lots go away as possible. Only then will it *feel* like a dense and real downtown again. The 250 Delaware development does get rid of a huge parking lot, though, so that's one down. Many more to go.

Thanks for all the photos. And to think - What you posted earlier is just a small fraction of the work being done around downtown currently.

Apartments at the Hub, The Creamery, Lofts on Main and Allen, Conventus, Cobblestone expansion, HarborCenter, Donovan, Canals, Roswell Park annex...the list goes on. All well under construction. :tup: What I like is that a lot of the projects underway are highly visible from the 190. Makes an impact.

There are so many underutilized buildings and parking lots that it will take a ton of development to make the city feel 'big' again. But so much is happening one can't complain

ladsnine

Oct 25, 2013, 1:51 AM

Tedious

Oct 25, 2013, 2:47 AM

I know! I had to pick a piece of downtown to walk around and take photos of because it was starting to get dark and there were just too many projects. A good problem to have, to be sure.

Some more projects for your list: The UB Medical School (construction started this past week), Catholic Health HQ, the Tishman hotel conversion, Main Street reconstruction 600 and 500 blocks and the Planing Mill apartments on Elm. Not quite downtown, but I've also heard the old cardboard box factory on Seneca Street in Larkinville is under construction, though I haven't been over there to check it out.

Yep, forgot about those. In other development news, I noticed Termini's FWS loft project is also in full gear. Workers on site and window openings cut out. As a refresher:

'The multi-story building, located at 1738 Elmwood Ave., calls for Termini turning the 106,025-square-foot building into a facility anchored by 46 market-rate apartments. Other components in the building, according to documents Termini filed with the agency, include a 7,000-square-foot call center, a 5,000-square-foot tech center, 10,000-square-feet of general office space and a 10,000-square-foot, first floor distillery and restaurant.'

http://i0.wp.com/www.buffalorising.com/assets_c/2012/11/FWSRender-thumb-550x309-35688.jpg?resize=550%2C309

http://www.buffalo.com/news/blog/lets-go-rocco-fws-building-latest-project-for-star-developer/48437

:worship:

alki

Oct 28, 2013, 5:09 AM

alki

Oct 28, 2013, 5:11 AM

A new video worth watching:
sBsi5FGbY2Y

Great selling tool for Buffalo. Never knew of all the great architecture and urban design in Buffalo until I saw this clip plus one put out by I think the Buffalo Historic Society.

ladsnine

Oct 28, 2013, 12:32 PM

I can't tell from the photos of the completed renovation....did they paint the facade?

The facade was painted as part of the renovation. This is what it looked like before:

http://www.ellicottdevelopment.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Graystone_700.jpg

Also, here's a story from 2011 that tells more about the history of the Graystone, before Ellicott Development got serious about actually doing the renovation: http://www.buffalospree.com/Buffalo-Spree/March-2011/The-Graystone-mdashCan-this-building-be-saved/
It's had a rough last 30 years.

westcoastperspective

Oct 29, 2013, 12:53 PM

There's a nice variety of new residential underway:

Arctic Freezer 27
Cloister Site 12
9 Genesee Street 1
145-149 Swan (The Hub) 50
537 Main Street 3
Tishman 18
TOTAL: 111 units

Planing Mill on Elm is going to start any day now, that's another 25 units. I hear there are three more projects brewing around the 500 block of Main that could bring another 20 or so units. If the economy holds up, we're going to run out of obvious conversion candidates soon. Will new infill construction follow?

ladsnine

Oct 30, 2013, 12:19 AM

I've been wondering about that too. All these conversions are happening because the historic preservation tax credit makes financing them viable. What happens when we run out of buildings? We're not too far from that now. Aside from Croce's buildings - the Statler, Curtiss, and the Hertz Garage - that he seems just fine sitting on for eternity, there are very few other large (or even mid-size buildings) downtown that are unoccupied and no one has staked a claim to. AM&A's is the obvious one. The "Boarding House Restaurant" buildings on Seneca by Elm are another, and there is the Ellicott Paint buildings on Genesee. There are also quite a few lovely, forgotten old loft buildings right on Oak & Elm, but I doubt much will happen with those until those streets get "calmed" somehow since they're too dangerous to cross on foot right now not to mention live on. So that's a few, but the numbers are definitely dwindling. Perhaps there will soon be no choice but to fill in the vast lands of parking...we can dream anyway.

Tedious

Oct 30, 2013, 3:08 AM

There are also quite a few lovely, forgotten old loft buildings right on Oak & Elm, but I doubt much will happen with those until those streets get "calmed" somehow since they're too dangerous to cross on foot right now not to mention live on.

Interesting that much of the biggest development is on Elm and Oak, actually. The Hub, Spaghetti warehouse, ECC student housing, and if we're counting commercial, Catholic Health HQ. Seems easy access into and out of the city is winning out over intimate walkeability.

My next hopes are Croce's properties across from Avant. So many tourists in that wide open area and those two dilapidated buildings are front and center. :uhh:

westcoastperspective

Oct 30, 2013, 4:03 AM

Interesting that much of the biggest development is on Elm and Oak, actually. The Hub, Spaghetti warehouse, ECC student housing, and if we're counting commercial, Catholic Health HQ. Seems easy access into and out of the city is winning out over intimate walkeability.

My next hopes are Croce's properties across from Avant. So many tourists in that wide open area and those two dilapidated buildings are front and center. :uhh:

There should be news soon on the Curtiss and Hertz building projects. :tup:

What's really interesting is the development in the 500 block with owner/occupants. Three buildings have owners living in them or soon will. There are also more projects coming on the block (news on a couple soon).

Also, CityView quietly put three apartments in Genny Gateway- story coming on Buffalo Rising.

ladsnine

Oct 31, 2013, 10:52 PM

Interesting proposal from the waterfront today:

http://www.buffalonews.com/city-region/downtown-waterfront/developers-plan-to-transform-grain-elevator-into-brewery-entertainment-recreation-complex-20131031

http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/2997/v8xs.jpg

Developers plan to transform grain elevator into brewery, entertainment, recreation complex

A grain elevator on the Buffalo River will be transformed into a brewery entertainment and recreation complex, perhaps as soon as next spring.

Developers plan to spend $15 million to convert the inactive eight-acre Wheeler-GLF grain elevator site at 333 Ganson St., located several hundred feet from the General Mills entrance by the Michigan Street Bridge, into a waterfront attraction with bars, restaurants, brewery, entertainment venue and ice rinks. The site is now used to store heavy equipment.

A lot of people on Facebook disagree with me but I think this is a real proposal because:

They've already filed plans with the Planning Board
Doug Swift is a reputable developer - When he plans stuff, it tends to get done
We've been hearing rumors about a third "Pearl Street" for a year now, so this has probably been in planning for a while
Labatt's has already signed on to have their Pond Hockey Tournament here next February

ladsnine

Oct 31, 2013, 11:34 PM

Some photos of projects around the Medical Campus from last Sunday. It was cold and dreary, so they're not the nicest photos. Also it's kind of anti-climatic since things are pretty much just getting started. Nonetheless, enjoy...

Bosche Building Restoration/Mixed-Use Development

In a rare show of initiative, the City of Buffalo put up the money in 2009 to fix the giant roof hole and stabilize this historic building. Now plans are in place with a developer to make both the larger 4-story building to the right and the smaller 3-story one at left into lofts in this location across Main Street from the Medical Campus. Also, the Preservation Board agenda this week included planned exterior restoration work for the Red Jacket Building (the lovely building at the right edge of this photo). Anyway, work continues on the Bosche...

http://imageshack.us/a/img196/7703/jn2e.jpg

New UB Medical School

In the most dreary photo known to man (or woman), this is the current site of the future UB Medical School - a vast expanse of gray gravel. The old bank demo is complete, but there is no heavy equipment on site, so suffice to say, despite the official groundbreaking earlier this month, construction has NOT started. This project is being done through the State University Construction Fund, and it hasn't even been bid yet (in fact, the official project status per their website is "Design Development"), so it may be a while before we see on-site action here...

http://imageshack.us/a/img850/6384/tp7d.jpg

Conventus

Sorry, it was hard to get good photos of this because it's at street level right now (they finally finished filling in the giant parking crater) and it's surrounded by construction fencing and jersey barriers.

http://imageshack.us/a/img208/7084/azbp.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img600/5212/vc9h.jpg

Roswell Clinical Research Tower Addition

This looks like it must just have gotten started. They tarped over the windows of the older building at left for protection, but there isn't much equipment on-site yet, aside from that crane.

http://imageshack.us/a/img703/5105/jujj.jpg

Ellicott Street Linear Park

This little project looks like it's almost done, at long last. They did a pretty nice job.

http://imageshack.us/a/img196/5273/2rys.jpg

Interesting rounded benches repeated throughout.

http://imageshack.us/a/img12/6421/67ls.jpg

Little "light clusters" playing off the little tree pits. Nice juxtaposition.

http://imageshack.us/a/img837/4053/kqms.jpg

Bike box! Slowly but surely, Buffalo is getting better bike infrastructure. The use of a shipping container for the purpose is cool too.

http://imageshack.us/a/img28/9426/56xo.jpg

Another view of the walkway design and pattern. Also, that's a BikeShare hub in the distance.

http://imageshack.us/a/img818/5092/5jbq.jpg

Somehow, the designers made pieces of this park feel sheltered and intimate even though it's located in the middle of a vast expanse of parking.

UB Educational Opportunity Center

This was completed a couple of months ago, but I snapped a couple of photos for posterity.

http://imageshack.us/a/img856/3259/5thj.jpg

Connection to the M. Wile Factory building at left.

http://imageshack.us/a/img62/1209/ufqd.jpg

Looking north along Ellicott.

ladsnine

Oct 31, 2013, 11:59 PM

It struck me recently that Buffalo doesn't really have a "boom rundown" like other cities have, so I decided to make one at the top of this page (122). Hope I'm not stepping on anyone's toes.

Images via buffalorising.com unless otherwise noted.

Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus (North end of Downtown)

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Conventus
http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/720/t5pt.jpg

Project: New 7-story privately developed and owned medical office building connected to and designed to support functions of adjacent medical campus. Will include offices for UBMD group, the outpatient surgery center for Women's and Children's Hospital, research labs for Albany Molecular Research, Inc., and other medical-related spaces, as well as a branch of First Niagara Bank on the first floor.

Cost: $130 million
Developer: LPCiminelli
Architect: Kideney Architects

News:
12/09/13: Conventus to Gain Seventh Floor (http://buffalorising.com/2013/12/conventus-to-gain-seventh-floor/)
06/06/13: Construction Watch: Conventus Gets Craned (http://buffalorising.com/2013/06/construction-watch-conventus/)
03/25/13: After Second Try, Conventus Gets ECIDA Abatements (http://buffalorising.com/2013/03/after-second-try-conventus-gets-ecida-abatements/)
12/19/12: Preliminary Work Starts on Revised Medical Campus Building (http://buffalorising.com/2012/12/preliminary-work-starts-on-revised-medical-campus-building/)

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Roswell Cancer Center Clinical Research Tower
http://imageshack.us/a/img542/8625/xrnm.jpg

New 11-story research tower for existing cancer center.

Architect: FXFOWLE

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Bosche Building Lofts
http://imageshack.us/a/img196/7703/jn2e.jpg

Reuse of two historic buildings across Main Street from the Medical Campus as market-rate residential.
Developer: Greenleaf & Co.

ACTIVE PROPOSALS

UB Medical School
http://imageshack.us/a/img197/2599/zdfp.png

Project: Construction of new UB Medical School at corner of Main & High Streets on the medical campus. Medical School is currently located at the UB South campus at the northern city limits. This represents a major influx of students and jobs into downtown Buffalo. New building will be built above Allen/Medical subway station and new station will built within medical school. Construction slated to begin early 2014. Bids for Foundations and Steel contract are due 1/8/2014. Official groundbreaking took place Oct. 8, 2013.

Cost: $350 million
Developer: State University Construction Fund
Architect: HOK

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Women's & Children's Hospital
http://imageshack.us/a/img850/6476/2ftz.jpg

Project: Womens & Childrens Hospital is currently located at Elmwood & Bryant Streets in the Elmwood Village neighborhood of Buffalo. A new hospital is planned which will help consolidate Kaleida Health's operations onto the Medical Campus.

Cost: $240 million
Developer: Kaleida Health
Architect: Shepley Bulfinch

RECENTLY COMPLETED

Ellicott Street Linear Park
http://imageshack.us/a/img818/5092/5jbq.jpg

Modern linear park meant to add character and gathering space as it threads through the Medical Campus.
Architect: nArchitects

UB Educational Opportunity Center
http://imageshack.us/a/img856/3259/5thj.jpg

Expansion of former M. Wile Factory Building at Ellicott & Goodell Streets just south of the Medical Campus, to provide expanded space for UB's Downtown Campus.
Architect: Hunt Architects

Downtown Core

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Buffalo Club Addition
http://imageshack.us/a/img843/9046/cwxt.jpg

Addition to historic Buffalo Club on the Elmwood Avenue side of the building.

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Dinosaur BBQ
http://imageshack.us/a/img513/2131/i9gp.jpg

Construction of the 8th branch of this well-loved barbecue restaurant based in Syracuse, NY. Reuse of former film vault building from the 1940s.

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Tishman Building Renovation
http://imageshack.us/a/img844/9215/g3m0.png

Former 1959 office building being renovated into a mixed-use structure including restaurant on the ground floor, Hilton Garden Inn on floors 2-14, apartments on 15-17 and offices for developer Hamister Group on floors 18-20. Developer is relocating from suburban Amherst to anchor building.

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Main Street Reconstruction - 600 Block
http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/7647/3dnx.jpg

Removal of early 1980s pedestrian mall from 600 block of Main Street and reintroduction of automobile traffic and on-street parking. Cars will share travel lane with Metro Rail trains.

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Main Street Reconstruction - 500 Block
http://imageshack.us/a/img819/2360/ztxf.jpg

Removal of early 1980s pedestrian mall from 500 block of Main Street and reintroduction of automobile traffic and on-street parking. Cars will share travel lane with Metro Rail trains.

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Catholic Health HQ
http://imageshack.us/a/img11/9206/hzo2.jpg

Construction of new 6-story headquarters building for Catholic Health system. Upon its completion, will result in consolidate of 700 jobs from around the city and suburbs to this location at the corner of Genesee & Elm Streets. Also includes a large parking garage.

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The Hub Apartments
http://imageshack.us/a/img833/4996/ow5r.jpg

Renovation of two historic buildings for 50 market-rate apartments.

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9 Genesee
http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/4894/p6f0.jpg

Renovation of long-vacant c.1845 structure into retail on the first floor and single-family residence above.

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483 Main
http://imageshack.us/a/img194/4262/n3py.jpg

Project: Renovation of 3-story historic building on the 500 block of Main Street using historic tax credits. Will include a luxury apartment on the top floor, residential and office on the second floor, and a boutique retail shop on the ground floor.

Cost: $600,000
Developer: Individual owner
Architect: Unknown

News:
12/07/13: 483 Main Going Into Rehab (http://buffalorising.com/2013/12/483-main-street-going-into-rehab/)

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537 Main
http://imageshack.us/a/img19/9049/5v1r.jpg

Renovation of historic building at corner of Main & Genesee Streets for use as restaurant on first floor and single-family residence above.

Buffalorising article from Oct. 24, 2013: http://buffalorising.com/2013/10/finish-line-in-sight-for-key-500-block-of-main-street-property/

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535 Main
http://imageshack.us/a/img811/3046/wp87.jpg

Renovation of long-vacant historic building into retail or office at the first floor level and apartments above. This was long one of downtown's most visibly decayed structures, so its renewal is a major win for downtown.

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The Planing Mill Apartments
http://imageshack.us/a/img34/6641/ikxn.jpg

Project: Renovation of the Hager Planing Mill, a 3-story former lumber planing mill constructed in 1878, into 22 apartments and 10,000 square feet of office space. Located at 141 Elm St.

Cost: $7 million
Developer: TM Montante
Architect: Unknown

ACTIVE PROPOSALS

250 Delaware
http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/4805/h12m.jpg

Project: Construction of new 472,000 SF, 12-story mixed-use structure to include ground-floor retail, 6 floors of Class A office space for relocation of the headquarters of Delaware North Companies, and a 119-room Aloft hotel to serve as a training facility for DNC employees. Also includes construction of a 4-story, approx. 400 space parking garage on the Elmwood Avenue side of the property with two retail spaces in the first floor of the parking garage. One floor of parking for DNC executives will also extend under the main office building. Project includes demolition of Delaware Court Building, a two-story structure from 1917 currently on the site and re-creation of much of its facade on the new office building, as well as brownfield remediation for a gas station that formerly stood on the Elmwood Avenue side of the site.

Cost: $80 million
Developer: Uniland Development
Architect: Diamond Schmitt (Toronto), Hamilton Houston Lownie (Buffalo)

News:
12/16/13: ECIDA Approves Incentives for 250 Delaware Avenue Project (http://buffalorising.com/2013/12/31120/)

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686 Main Street Mixed-Use Renovation
http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/3131/6o8i.jpg

Historic building, former home of Sid Birzon Jewelry before they moved to the suburbs in 2004, has been vacant since. Plans call for first floor retail and upper floor residential. Facade restoration currently underway, status of remainder of project is unknown.

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Curtiss Building Boutique Hotel
http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/7144/7m96.jpg

Project: Renovation of the Curtiss Building, a 6-story former office building constructed in 1912, into a 68 room boutique hotel with lounge or restaurant on the first floor and a porte cochere and parking lot to the north. Located at the northwest corner of Franklin & Huron Streets.

Cost: $15 million
Developer: Buffalo Development Corp. (Mark Croce)
Architect: Young + Wright Architectural

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5-7 Genesee
http://imageshack.us/a/img24/3619/6vje.jpg

5-7 Genesee Street is the yellow structure at center. Underneath the stucco, it is actually two 3-4 buildings dating to the 1840s. Plans call for retail on the first floor and apartments above.

Buffalorising article from Nov. 1, 2013: http://buffalorising.com/2013/11/small-projects-big-impact-new-owners-plan-rehab-of-5-7-genesee-street

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173 Elm
http://imageshack.us/a/img850/5729/mz4l.jpg

Project: Renovation of vacant warehouse into office space on the first floor and part of the second, and construction of 5 market-rate apartments in the remaining space. Building is 17,800 square feet and was constructed in 1864. Approved by City Planning Board 12/17/13.

Cost: Unknown
Developer: Ellicott Development
Architect: Unknown

News:
12/13/13: Apartments and Office Space for 173 Elm Street (http://buffalorising.com/2013/12/apartments-and-office-space-for-173-elm-street/)
06/17/13: Big Deal: Ellicott Development Buys Two Development Sites (http://buffalorising.com/2013/06/big-deal-ellicott-development-buys-two-development-sites/)

RECENTLY COMPLETED

2013:

The Graystone
http://imageshack.us/a/img855/3589/n508.jpg

Restoration of 1897 hotel into 42 market-rate apartments. Building was one of the first cast-in-place concrete structures in the world. Spent many decades as a rooming house and was vacant from 2001 until recent construction due to a partial roof collapse, so its renovation is a positive development for downtown.

----------

Lake Hotel Lofts
http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/9131/lfl8.jpg

Former hotel renovated into loft apartments.

----------

2012:

Hotel @ Lafayette
http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/9214/i7ja.jpg

Hotel was a longtime flophouse before closing in 2010. Redeveloped into a boutique hotel and 105 apartments with first floor retail and restaurants.

----------

2010:

Genesee Gateway
http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/9835/c2zz.jpg

This block of buildings along Genesee Street was vacant and derelict for decades. Was rehabilitated for first floor retail and upper floor residential and offices.

Canalside/Old First Ward/Silo City (South end of Downtown)

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

HarborCenter
http://imageshack.us/a/img689/7518/w3j8.jpg

Cost: $172 million
Architect: Populus

Major structure adjacent to First Niagara Center. Includes an 800-space parking ramp with limited first floor retail and restaurants, two hockey rinks on top of the ramp and a 200-room Marriott hotel above, total of 19 floors.

----------

One Canalside
http://imageshack.us/a/img43/5603/awck.png

Renovation of 8-story former Donovan State Office Building into office building for law firm Philips Lytle LLP and new Courtyard by Marriott hotel. Faces onto rapidly-developing Canalside district.

----------

Aud Block Replica Canals
http://imageshack.us/a/img46/7181/qclt.jpg

Construction of infrastructure and replica canals for planned mixed-use waterfront district on the site of Buffalo's infamous former wharf district. Plans call for dense, low buildings built to the street with mix of retail and residential in future phases.

----------

East Canals
http://imageshack.us/a/img46/538/fq7v.jpg

Small park between One Canalside and HarborCenter buildings linking replica canals to the west side of the Buffalo News Building in order to help create a pedestrian-friendly environment.

----------

Fairmont Creamery Building Rehab
http://imageshack.us/a/img33/1499/8g8a.jpg

Renovation of long-derelict 8-story warehouse building into 3 stories of offices, +/- 30 apartments and a restaurant with banquet space.

ACTIVE PROPOSALS

RiverWorks Complex
http://imageshack.us/a/img46/2997/v8xs.jpg

Project: New entertainment complex at 327 Ganson St. in an area that is currently a gritty industrial area on the banks of the Buffalo River. Complex will consist of hockey rinks for the Buffalo Pond Hockey Tournament, a rooftop bar, indoor event space for concerts, etc., 400 parking spaces in a surface lot, and potential reuse of the adjacent grain elevator as a part of a hotel in a future phase.

Cost: $12-15 million
Developer: Led by Doug Swift
Architect: Unknown

News:
12/17/13: RiverWorks Wins Key Approval over Industry Objections (http://www.buffalonews.com/city-region/downtown-waterfront/riverworks-wins-key-approval-over-industry-objections-20131217)
11/27/13: RiverWorks Hits a Snag and Looks to the Public for Support (http://buffalorising.com/2013/11/riverworks-hits-a-snag-and-looks-to-the-public-for-support/)
10/31/13: RiverWorks Project to Transform Ganson Street Site (http://buffalorising.com/2013/10/riverworks-project-to-transform-ganson-street-site/)

----------

Freight House Landing
http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/7564/jk83.jpg

Demolition of historic but severely decayed warehouse on Buffalo River, construction of 78 market-rate apartments and boardwalk in its place at water's edge. The first new apartments proposed in the Old First Ward.

RECENTLY COMPLETED

2013:

Ironworks
http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/1826/e949.jpg

Renovation of old warehouse in the Cobblestone District into events space and bar.

----------

Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino
http://img547.imageshack.us/img547/6075/3n9v.jpg

Expansion of existing Seneca Nation casino adjacent to downtown Buffalo.

The Neighborhoods (Major Projects)

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Swan Lounge
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/9643/qbw6.jpg

Location: 716 Swan Street
Renovation of formerly abandoned former bar into new high-end restaurant and apartments? above.

----------

Sheehan Hospital Rehab (Compass East)
http://imageshack.us/a/img21/3115/ujbq.jpg

Project: Renovation of 4-story former hospital into call center for Time Warner Cable and nurse training center at 425 Michigan Ave. in the Willert Park neighborhood just east of downtown.

Cost: $9 million
Developer: McGuire Development
Architect: Carmina Wood Morris

News:
12/16/13: Construction Watch: Compass East (http://buffalorising.com/2013/12/construction-watch-compass-east/)

----------

Evergreen Commons (former Prospect Ave. Baptist Church)
(Subpage under construction)

----------

FWS Building Lofts
http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/466/khfg.jpg

----------

Delaware/Virginia Apartments
(Subpage under construction)

----------

Lafayette Presbyterian Church Apartments
(Subpage under construction)

----------

White's Livery
(Subpage under construction)

ACTIVE PROPOSALS

500 Seneca/FN Burt Box Building
http://imageshack.us/a/img545/295/lpjd.jpg

Renovation of former paper box factory into office space in the rapidly-expanding Larkin District.

----------

"Architectural Circus" Building Apartments, 885 Niagara
(Subpage under construction)

----------

Bell Tower Lofts (Colvin/Tacoma)
http://imageshack.us/a/img203/9657/yy6e.jpg

----------

Buffalo High Tech Manufacturing Innovation Hub @ Riverbend
http://imageshack.us/a/img27/8580/soiy.jpg

Project: Construction of a research & development and manufacturing park for green technology, beginning with manufacturing plants for California companies Sonaa and Silevo. Intent is to follow the concept used for the highly successful nanotechnology hub built recently in the Albany area. "Riverbend" is a 202-acre brownfield site along South Park Avenue in South Buffalo, the former home of Republic Steel and Donner Hanna Coke.

Cost: $225 million
Developer: State University of New York
Architect: Unknown

News:
11/21/13: Two California Firms Commit to Riverbend Site (http://buffalorising.com/2013/11/two-california-firms-commit-to-riverbend-site/)

----------

Canterbury Woods @ Gates Circle
http://imageshack.us/a/img545/6168/cqnx.jpg

Project: New retirement community and mixed-use complex at site of former Millard Fillmore Gates Hospital at Delaware Avenue & Lafayette. Existing ten-story 1970s hospital will be demolished but some historic buildings along Linwood Avenue will be preserved and reused as part of project.

Cost: $63 million
Developer: TM Montante
Architects: Wendel, Architectural Resources

----------

Evergreen Cherry Street Lofts
http://imageshack.us/a/img10/6863/0alw.jpg

----------

HELP Broadway Apartments
(Subpage under construction)

----------

H.H. Richardson Complex Restoration/Adaptive Reuse
http://imageshack.us/a/img855/8122/nmvp.jpg

----------

Niagara Bicycle Building
http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/5857/k3s7.jpg

Project: Conversion of two existing historic warehouse buildings into +/-15,000 SF of retail space and 21 loft apartments at 297-305 Niagara St. 297 Niagara (4 stories) was built in 1853 and 305 Niagara (6 stories) was built in 1920. Project will use historic tax credits.

Cost: Unknown
Developer: Sienna Realty (Fred LoFaso)
Architect: Brad Wales

RECENTLY COMPLETED

2013:

Bethune Lofts
http://imageshack.us/a/img689/2852/3npa.jpg

----------

Houk Lofts
http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/4772/m7wy.jpg

----------

School 60 Apartments (Riverside) (2013)
(Subpage under construction)

----------

2012:

Horsefeathers Market Building
http://imageshack.us/a/img59/4797/vjd5.jpg

----------

Larkin Square
http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/3293/wgut.jpg

New public space for the Larkin District, Buffalo's emerging second downtown.

Tedious

Nov 1, 2013, 2:14 AM

There should be news soon on the Curtiss and Hertz building projects. :tup:

What's really interesting is the development in the 500 block with owner/occupants. Three buildings have owners living in them or soon will. There are also more projects coming on the block (news on a couple soon).

Also, CityView quietly put three apartments in Genny Gateway- story coming on Buffalo Rising.

Even though there are just a few, the owner-occupancy thing is huge actually. Now we have people with residences they've invested hundreds of thousands into, now having an interest in the neighborhood improving. Peoples' safety and equity is leverage for cleanup.

Tedious

Nov 1, 2013, 2:30 AM

I feel like such a comprehensive list should be on the first page of a new development thread? Anyways, looks good. You forgot Apartments at the Hub (UC), Savarino's ohio street apartment complex proposal, Casino (completed), SteelWorks (completed), Croce's office/apartment project on Del/Virg (UC). An easy way to get images for any of them is to google the name and click on 'images' at the top.

ladsnine

Nov 1, 2013, 11:22 AM

I agree, it would be nice to have it as the top of a new development thread, but I wanted to keep it within the "flow" of the Buffalo thread rather than split the Buffalo news across two threads seeing as there's only a handful of us that contribute to it on SSP. I don't have the authority to move the whole discussion over to a new thread. So, I was careful to put it at the top of a page, and I'll link back to it whenever major updates are made to it. Maybe in the future it can become the header post for a new Dev thread if one is created for whatever reason.

Also - about the Savarino Ohio Street project. The Preservation Board denied his demo request for the Freight House a month or so ago and since it's a landmark, their decision is binding. Savarino could appeal but he hasn't as yet -- so, not sure if that project still alive?

What is SteelWorks? I've never heard of it.

westcoastperspective

Nov 1, 2013, 12:38 PM

ladsnine

Nov 2, 2013, 11:10 PM

Even though there are just a few, the owner-occupancy thing is huge actually. Now we have people with residences they've invested hundreds of thousands into, now having an interest in the neighborhood improving. Peoples' safety and equity is leverage for cleanup.

Random thought: I wonder if the Buffalo Place fees apply to these owner-occupiers? I mean, they are benefitting from the plowing, flowers and occasional security patrols the same as the businesses do, but on the other hand extra fees like that might be a disincentive for someone to invest.

Also, the news you broke, WCP, about 5-7 Genesee yesterday is AWESOME. That building is a picture of decay front and center on downtown and, annoyingly, whenever the retarded local news stations do a story on how decrepit they think downtown is, they always use that building (or, until recently, the Rose Nails building) to prove their point. Happily, they won't be able to anymore, and for that reason and because it's right across from the Hyatt, I think this small investment will have an outsized bit of impact.

http://buffalorising.com/2013/11/small-projects-big-impact-new-owners-plan-rehab-of-5-7-genesee-street/

westcoastperspective

Nov 6, 2013, 2:02 PM

Random thought: I wonder if the Buffalo Place fees apply to these owner-occupiers? I mean, they are benefitting from the plowing, flowers and occasional security patrols the same as the businesses do, but on the other hand extra fees like that might be a disincentive for someone to invest.

Also, the news you broke, WCP, about 5-7 Genesee yesterday is AWESOME. That building is a picture of decay front and center on downtown and, annoyingly, whenever the retarded local news stations do a story on how decrepit they think downtown is, they always use that building (or, until recently, the Rose Nails building) to prove their point. Happily, they won't be able to anymore, and for that reason and because it's right across from the Hyatt, I think this small investment will have an outsized bit of impact.

http://buffalorising.com/2013/11/small-projects-big-impact-new-owners-plan-rehab-of-5-7-genesee-street/

I'm sure the individual owners get charged but it's based on building size and frontage so I imagine it's 'somewhat' reasonable.

I agree about the 500 block- it'll have an oversized impact on impressions. Nearly all of that block has been redone and there's at least three more projects brewing- two rehabs and one building expansion.

It's certainly an exciting time for downtown. But there's a lot left to do - HSBC and AM&As come to mind. Downtown really needs to lure a few large office tenants to fill some of these emptying buildings.

Dr Nevergold

Nov 7, 2013, 4:04 PM

Thanks for the longer rundown, it was about time we had a list of Buffalo projects. Although, I was curious if you meant to have it where you click to display photo or not.

Also, if you guys want, I could also update the first post with construction information.

All of these projects are great, but there's only one thing missing in Buffalo. I don't notice any significant high-rise condo developments on the horizon. I keep wishing for the day that one of the Metro rail stations would finally realize its potential north of downtown with condos going up around them all, along with a revitalized Main street all the way through the city.

westcoastperspective

Nov 7, 2013, 7:53 PM

http://imageshack.us/a/img850/8098/jdtl.png

ladsnine

Nov 7, 2013, 11:23 PM

Nice map!

One correction: 9 Genesee is definitely under construction. There is a "Rogers Construction" sign in the window, the windows have been replaced (they have Pella stickers) and there are construction lights visible inside.

Also, I know you ran out of space, but...you're missing the Hub Apartments on there, which are also definitely under construction.

Automation Gallery

Nov 8, 2013, 12:47 AM

You have a mini Toronto happening just across the border...way to go Buffalo:cool:

DKNewYork

Nov 8, 2013, 4:39 AM

Hey guys. First time poster here. Here's an article from today's NYTimes about entrepreneurial small developers restoring homes in Buffalo. Thought you would enjoy it.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/07/garden/small-scale-developers-big-dreams.html?_r=0

westcoastperspective

Nov 8, 2013, 5:01 AM

Downtown Bolivar

Nov 9, 2013, 2:48 AM

Tedious

Nov 10, 2013, 2:36 AM

Freight House Landing looks like it's on per the City Council's decision in favor of the developer 7-0. I think the most telling thing was the picture the Buffalo News ran with the article of the decrepit condition of the Erie Freight house. How do you restore something with no roof and no walls?

Thanks for the update. Developers have been extra bullish (for Buffalo) with all the upscale residential projects starting construction lately so it seems likely this will start construction soon.

Here's a unit count recap of the biggest residential under construction:

Apartments at the Hub: 50
Creamery: 30
Distillery Lofts: 26
Delaware and Virginia: 12
Hager Mills: 35?
Houk Lofts(just finished): 22
Graystone (just finished): 42

~217+

Freight House Landing would add another 80 to the mix.

Tedious

Nov 14, 2013, 4:40 PM

A few construction updates from BRO:

Catholic Health HQ:

http://buffalorising.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Entry1-370x200.jpg

http://i1.wp.com/buffalorising.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/42.jpg?resize=1024%2C725

http://i1.wp.com/buffalorising.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/13.jpg?resize=1023%2C730

Delaware/Virginia complex:

http://i0.wp.com/buffalorising.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/IMG_34401.jpg

http://i0.wp.com/buffalorising.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/IMG_34201.jpg

Also Freight House Landing approved, expected to break ground in spring:

http://i0.wp.com/buffalorising.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/fhl2.jpg?resize=1024%2C509

http://i0.wp.com/buffalorising.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/fhl1.jpg?resize=1024%2C559

One Canalside:

http://i2.wp.com/buffalorising.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/1c2.jpg?resize=628%2C470

http://buffalorising.com/

ladsnine

Nov 19, 2013, 3:08 AM

Gates Circle RFP has been awarded!

Canterbury Woods, the giant retirement community in Amherst, will be building a new branch at Gates Circle. Apparently, it also includes a significant mixed-use component. The timeline for completion is long, apparently several years. The existing 10-story hospital from the 1970s that overlooks the Circle will be demolished, but some of the early 20th century buildings along Linwood Avenue will be preserved and reused as part of the development.

http://imageshack.us/a/img545/6168/cqnx.jpg

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/1678/s7bb.jpg

The existing Millard Fillmore Gates Circle hospital (was replaced by a new hospital downtown in 2011):

http://imageshack.us/a/img4/2120/wrhw.jpg

ladsnine

Nov 21, 2013, 2:22 AM

New Clean/Green Energy Research Center

This just announced! New $225 million clean/green energy research center on the Buffalo River. The state has managed to lure two clean energy firms from California to anchor the facility, which will create 850 jobs in its first phase and potentially another 1,000 after that.

Cuomo to Announce $225 million High-Tech Clean Energy development in Buffalo (http://www.buffalonews.com/city-region/cuomo-to-announce-225-million-high-tech-clean-energy-development-in-buffalo-20131120)

The site is the old Republic Steel site between South Park and Tifft Streets along the River. Officially announcement by the Governor is tomorrow morning,

ladsnine

Nov 21, 2013, 2:30 AM

500 Block Developments

Also, from Business First today: 500 Block Developments (http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/news/2013/11/20/urban-renewal-coming-to-main-streets.html). This article lays out all the activity on the 500 block. It's kind of amazing how much is happening there right now.

From the article, one project I hadn't heard about yet was the relocation of VIP Tickets from Williamsville to the old JP Fashions Building -- is this the project rumors have been floating around about where that building is to be expanded to 3-4 stories? Do we know if it will also include the vacant lot (former theater lobby) next door? As an interesting side note, the JP Fashions Building actually used to be a 3 story building. It's been so muddled up now that you can't even tell that it's an old building, but in fact it is and the top two floors were torn off at some fairly recent point in its history, so expanding it upward would, ironically, be bringing it back closer to how it was originally 100+ years ago.

The article mentions a new mini-grocery store coming to the old Burger King at Main & Mohawk. I hadn't even heard rumors about that one, so does anyone know if that one's actually true? I know Business First jumps the gun sometimes.

--------------------

As for the forum, I would love if we put a boom rundown on the first page of the thread (mine or another), as Brandon asked a few posts ago. I'd be happy to help keep it up if y'all want. For now, I've been slowly building out the one at the top of this page.

westcoastperspective

Nov 22, 2013, 4:35 AM

ladsnine

Nov 22, 2013, 1:02 PM

westcoastperspective

Nov 22, 2013, 2:02 PM

I heard news through the grapevine yesterday that construction bids were let on the Curtiss Hotel last week. I'm the first to doubt anything Mark Croce does, BUT construction bids are a pretty serious step so maybe we will see work beginning on this project soon?

I haven't heard about bidding. Fingers crossed! That corner and stretch of Huron is a dead zone. I was hoping Delaware North was going on the lot at Huron and Pearl and we'd lose a shovel-ready site.

jjslonaker

Nov 22, 2013, 7:34 PM

file:///Users/jjslonaker/Desktop/IMG_8078.PNG

westcoastperspective

Nov 22, 2013, 9:49 PM

Your info is spot on ladsnine!

http://buffalorising.com/2013/11/curtiss-boutique-hotel-back-on-track/

ladsnine

Nov 23, 2013, 12:51 AM

http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/5034/wy26.jpg
(Image from the Buffalo News)

Development of Old Spaghetti Warehouse Set to Begin

Construction is scheduled to get started next month on the redevelopment of the former Spaghetti Warehouse and Sensationz night club building at 141 Elm St.

The $7 million project, to be known as The Planing Mill, will consist of about 22 market-rate residential apartments and 10,000 square feet of office space, in the 43,500-square-foot, three-story brick building.

Link to Buffalo News article (http://www.buffalonews.com/business/development-of-old-spaghetti-warehouse-set-to-begin-20131122)

The article states that environmental remediation has already begun, so I think we can consider this one "under construction."

ladsnine

Nov 26, 2013, 1:18 AM

Your info is spot on ladsnine!

Yay, my life as a spy has begun!! :)

------------------------------

So, I've been thinking about this new Clean Energy Tech Park that Buffalo is getting. One area where Buffalo fails that has kept it from successfully building a 21st century economy is a lack of specialization. Cities that are succeeding now but haven't necessarily in the past (an example being Pittsburgh) are doing so because they have built something unique and relatively lucrative - in Pgh's case, that's being one of the top cities for biomedical research.

I wonder if the idea behind this new research park is to make green energy Buffalo's specialization. There really isn't a city in the eastern US that is known for that - most of the industry is on the west coast - so it is an area where Buffalo could succeed without local competition. If done right, and the industry continues to do well, it could give Buffalo a growth niche all its own.

It's also good that the research park will be on the East Side because, god, could that part of the city ever use some serious investment.

ladsnine

Nov 26, 2013, 4:07 AM

Phillips Lytle at home in One Canalside

Physically, the Phillips Lytle LLP law firm moved just 350 feet from its longtime home in the One Seneca Tower to its anchoring position in the brand new One Canalside Building.

Psychologically, for both the law firm and Buffalo, the move is a huge step as it represents one of the first major private-sector investments in the Canalside District. Many years in the making, Phillips Lytle officially moved over the past few days from the 38-story downtown tower to the top four floors of the Benderson Development Co.-owned and renovated One Canalside Building.

With the move, Phillips Lytle has brought more than 300 workers into the heart of Canalside while occupying 85,000-square-feet.

http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/news/2013/11/25/phillips-lytle-at-home-in-one-canalside.html

Philips Lytle officially moved into One Canalside today. This move, while great for Canalside, officially leaves Buffalo's tallest building 95 percent vacant. It will be really interesting to see what happens with the One Seneca Tower. But, we must keep perspective. Downtown has 11 million square feet of office space. One Seneca represents 850,000 SF, so only about 7% of the office market. And, while its owners market it as Class A space, it really isn't - it was built in 1974 and hasn't been significantly renovated - so perhaps the evolution of downtown's Class A market to newer space (or newly renovated space) is long overdue. This is the natural evolution of any downtown.

Also, with these recent changes downtown, there has been no net loss of jobs - a few hundred left for Depew when HSBC moved out of the tower (I've heard the Depew facility holds about 400 people) but 700 jobs are coming to downtown with the gain of Catholic Health next year.

----------------------------------

In other news about downtown's health, I found this report recently that tells how many workers each of the US's downtowns has: http://definingdowntown.org/read-the-report/ . Buffalo has over 72,000 daily workers. In comparison, Rochester has 68,000, Syracuse 34,000, Cleveland 124,000, Pittsburgh 153,000 and Detroit 79,000. This shows we compare equally or even sometimes favorably to other downtowns, given the size of our metro area. I also find it crazy that, with this many workers, developers feel there isn't enough demand for an office supply store or any other serious (not small boutique) retail downtown.

Dr Nevergold

Nov 26, 2013, 4:12 AM

^Phillips Lytle represents both success and a stepback. Renovating a property in much need and then vacating another major office building is a bitter sweet pill. One Seneca has to be re-purposed, and it has to be done quickly otherwise the most important building (arguably) will be virtually vacant.

On another note, what they did to the old state office building is nothing short of amazing. It stood so nasty for so many years, and I had no idea the building had this much potential with a total makeover.

westcoastperspective

Dec 5, 2013, 3:24 AM

Ellicott @ Sycamore

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/822/q08o.png (http://imageshack.com/i/muq08op)

ladsnine

Dec 5, 2013, 11:44 PM

Some interesting news from Niagara Street: according to some comments on the "Preservation-Ready Sites" Facebook page from the developer himself, the project at the former bicycle factory on Niagara Street near Virginia is still happening. He was doing environmental clean-up and just got his letter from DEC that the warehouses have been deemed usable for "unrestricted residential."

The same developer is also planning a "retail" project on the block on the north side of Forest Ave. from Hawley to Grant Sts. No more info than that on the project but a demo request went before the Preservation Board today for 5 buildings on the lots there. Two are old houses, two are single-story cinder-block former retail buildings and one is a three-story storefront/apartment building that looks really old but is pretty mucked-up.

Also, per recent Planning and Preservation Board agendas, there is a new 11-unit apartment building in the works for the parking lot at 397 S. Elmwood Ave. (between Edward and Virginia Streets on the right side, middle of the block behind the former St. Mary's school.) No renderings or info on the developer have been released that I've seen.

westcoastperspective

Dec 6, 2013, 3:08 AM

ladsnine

Dec 7, 2013, 3:55 AM

westcoastperspective

Dec 7, 2013, 1:12 PM

Interesting. If done right, that has the potential to be a very nice piece of urban infill. TRM does mostly suburban big-box stores and the like but I don't think we've seen a precedent for their apartment work so it'll be interesting to see what they come up with.

Also - bids are due 1/8/14 for the first phase of the new UB Medical School, the foundations and steel contract, worth $60-65 million, per this link: http://www.sucf.suny.edu/pdf/bidlist.pdf . That suggests work might actually start on-site next Spring.

What's even more exciting is new residential construction. I've heard the rents have been too low to justify ground-up residential. It probably helps that they've owned this lot for some time and I'm imagining it will be three stories or so. This would be the second new-build on the street (Scott Croce's project is almost across the street).

ladsnine

Dec 10, 2013, 12:32 AM

Yeah, that's a great point. It could mean the economics are finally there for new construction/infill in the city.

Though I'm not sure how much I buy that argument. There really isn't a difference in rents between upscale developments in the city and those in the suburbs. The new apartments in Genesee Gateway are going for over $1600 a month and some of the apartments in the Bethune Lofts are even higher than that. Those rents are as much or more than a similar-sized apartment would go for in Williamsville. You could say that multi-family construction is expensive, but multi-family developments are built in the burbs all the time. At least for a 3-4 story building, the same construction method would be used in the city as in the burbs. Land values are actually lower in the city than the burbs. There are some added staging/access issues working in close quarters with other buildings in the city, but not a huge amount, and you don't have to worry about storm drainage which is a major concern in the burbs, so that probably evens out. All said, I think it's more a perception thing than an economics thing. Developers didn't realize they could get high rents in the city, so they never tried -- now they realize it -- and they're getting over some of their old biases and assumptions because market trends in other cities are telling them there is money to be made in urban housing.

ladsnine

Dec 11, 2013, 12:50 PM

So, as a year-end total, it looks like downtown got 52 new residential units this year: 42 at the Graystone, 7 in the lower floors of The Antonio on Pearl St. and 3 at Genesee Gateway. 14 were completed at the Lake Hotel on W. Huron near Niagara but that's not technically within downtown's boundaries (Elmwood to Michigan, Goodell to the Harbor/S. Park). Am I missing any? Is there a total somewhere of the number of existing units downtown so we can keep track of growth? This is a fairly weak number for a year, obviously, but growth is growth... Interesting that 90% of the new units this year were the work of the Paladinos.

westcoastperspective

Dec 11, 2013, 2:02 PM

We even lost some - the units at Webb! :shrug:

Steve Carmina's residence at 9 Genesee should be done this month; otherwise your list is complete.

Delaware/Virginia's 12 units were completed but that's not downtown either.

Underway:

Arctic Freezer 30
145-149 Swan (The Hub) 50
Main Street, 537 3
Tishman 18
101

Starting Soon:

Planing Mill 25
Bosche Building 23 (Med Campus)
1106-1110 Main 32 (Med Campus)

I have a spreadsheet with downtown area projects.

ladsnine

Dec 12, 2013, 4:35 AM

westcoastperspective

Dec 12, 2013, 4:48 AM

Oh man, you're right. The Webb was 32 units, so with 9 Genesee that leaves us with a net change of +21 units downtown for the year. Wow -- kind of not impressive...

But, per your list, we could easily see 100 next year so that should help liven things up a little.

We need a few more big projects like the Lafayette. As far as I know that one did well, so I wonder what developers are waiting for? Possibly they are waiting to see what happens with the One Seneca Tower -- If that goes even partially residential in the next few years, it could be hundreds of units.

I think it means there aren't many obvious rehab candidates left downtown (except HSBC, Trico, AM&As, Statler). That may change in a few years if some of the office buildings empty out. That's why we're seeing some fringe projects happen (Evergreen on Cherry, Rocco heading to N. Buffalo, Bethune Lofts, Sinatra's projects, Elm Street, Swan Street). We're not seeing the new construction yet.

Kissling's project at 295 Main should start next year- they were holding off on it because of tax benefits of doing it in 2014 I hear. Hertz is moving forward. Some of the delay on these projects is getting state and federal approvals for rehab plans.

I know of a 500 block area rehab project being planned that should be about 12 units; also the new owner of the JP Fashions Building (505 Main?) is planning an addition with two residential units.

ladsnine

Dec 12, 2013, 11:58 PM

Interesting tidbit in the agenda for the upcoming Planning Board meeting:

5. Ellicott Development Company
173 ELM
Design and site plan review for the renovation of
the interior of the vacant building for 1st floor
commercial office space and 5 market-rate
apartments on the upper floors.
Buffalo Code Section 511-137

This is a 4-story warehouse building that Ellicott Development bought this past June. WCP, apparently your theory about development moving to the fringes is holding up. Nice to see Paladino planning development so quickly after picking up a property.

Kissling's project at 295 Main should start next year- they were holding off on it because of tax benefits of doing it in 2014 I hear. Hertz is moving forward. Some of the delay on these projects is getting state and federal approvals for rehab plans.

I know of a 500 block area rehab project being planned that should be about 12 units; also the new owner of the JP Fashions Building (505 Main?) is planning an addition with two residential units.

Interesting info about the Kissling project. The 500 block project is interesting to hear about as well - I heard a while back that Preservation Studios was working on historic tax credits for an old film warehouse over there, so if this is the same one, it's great to hear that it's moving forward.

westcoastperspective

Dec 13, 2013, 3:57 AM

Interesting tidbit in the agenda for the upcoming Planning Board meeting:

This is a 4-story warehouse building that Ellicott Development bought this past June. WCP, apparently your theory about development moving to the fringes is holding up. Nice to see Paladino planning development so quickly after picking up a property.

Interesting info about the Kissling project. The 500 block project is interesting to hear about as well - I heard a while back that Preservation Studios was working on historic tax credits for an old film warehouse over there, so if this is the same one, it's great to hear that it's moving forward.

173 Elm is 13,000 sq.ft. - they may be some giant apartments! :???:

ladsnine

Dec 16, 2013, 2:28 AM

Good news for Buffalo:

Region leads the nation in real estate appreciation

While other regions struggle to recover from the housing crisis, real estate prices in the Buffalo area have risen 16% – growth that reflects other positive changes in the region

For the first time in decades – maybe even ever – Buffalo leads the nation in real estate appreciation. In a region known for low-cost homes and a stodgy, slow-to-appreciate market, being the tortoise has paid off. By avoiding the home sales boom and bust that plagued much of the country, a new study shows Buffalo-area home prices appreciated more than any major U.S. city since prices peaked nationally seven years ago.

http://www.buffalonews.com/city-region/region-leads-the-nation-in-real-estate-appreciation-20131214

Even better news buried in the article is that the largest price gains are in the city itself, in select neighborhoods. Allentown is up 43%, North Buffalo 31%, Delaware District 15%, Elmwood 13% - changes measured over the past six years.

westcoastperspective

Dec 16, 2013, 6:00 PM

Full renderings for 250 Delaware project are out:

http://buffalorising.com/2013/12/31120/

http://imageshack.us/a/img845/4338/csk0.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img534/9035/kslb.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img824/3825/vmt0.jpg

Tedious

Dec 16, 2013, 9:04 PM

This is exactly what that area needed. They spent over a million to remediate the gas station land and are now starting asbestos removal. I'm hoping for demolition/construction to start very soon.

ladsnine

Dec 16, 2013, 11:02 PM

Oo Pretty...

ladsnine

Dec 16, 2013, 11:17 PM

173 Elm is 13,000 sq.ft. - they may be some giant apartments! :???:

The Business First article said that an office tenant is looking to take over the first and part of the second floor, so presumably apartments are on 3, 4 and half of 2. So, each apartment would be +/- 1750 SF ... or the size of medium-sized single family house :) But when you first wrote that, it seemed like one of the apartments would have to be around 3500 SF given the amount of space available, which would be kind of huge...apparently not.

http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/news/2013/12/13/conversion-proposed-for-empty-downtown.html

-------------------------------------

Also, just a friendly reminder to all -- I keep the Boom Rundown list updated at the top of page 122. Feel free to make any suggestions.

Busy Bee

Dec 16, 2013, 11:27 PM

Why is a Delorian logo on the side of that building?

Tedious

Dec 17, 2013, 2:49 AM

Why is a Delorian logo on the side of that building?

:yes:

westcoastperspective

Dec 17, 2013, 5:57 AM

:yes:

Why are the traffic signals upside down? :shrug:

ladsnine

Dec 18, 2013, 1:35 AM

RiverWorks wins key approval, over industry objections

A plan to remake an inactive grain elevator site on the Buffalo River into an entertainment complex won approval from the Buffalo Planning Board on Tuesday over objections from several of the site’s industrial neighbors.

Representatives from General Mills, ADM, St. Mary’s Cement and Sonwil Distribution said development of Buffalo RiverWorks at 339-389 Ganson St. would negatively affect the safety of the public and their employees.

The plan calls for a $15 million complex that includes bars and restaurants, a brewery, outdoor ice rinks and a performing arts space on the eight-acre Wheeler-GLF grain elevator site, near General Mills.

http://www.buffalonews.com/city-region/downtown-waterfront/riverworks-wins-key-approval-over-industry-objections-20131217

The industrial owners around there are just spoiled by the isolation of their currently wasteland-like surroundings right next to downtown and would rather it stay that way. The city not bowing to their pressure to keep development from happening is great, and truthfully more backbone than I would have expected from the city. But, it will be interesting to see how the two types of uses interact once this is built. Truth be told, Ganson IS a pretty inhospitable place for pedestrians right now. Here is the view from the proposed site down Ganson to the east. The blue warehouse on the left and the abandoned grain elevator next to it are to be reused as part of this development, though the grain elevator is proposed for a later phase, perhaps as part of a hotel.

http://imageshack.us/a/img28/9743/vnhe.jpg

ladsnine

Dec 18, 2013, 1:36 AM

Why are the traffic signals upside down? :shrug:

Lol, totally didn't notice that :haha:

Tedious

Dec 18, 2013, 2:21 AM

Why are the traffic signals upside down? :shrug:

Why are the pedestrians so good looking and well-dressed? Why are all the curbs such high quality concrete? Why are the trees alive? :cheers:

Tedious

Dec 18, 2013, 2:27 AM

The industrial owners around there are just spoiled by the isolation of their currently wasteland-like surroundings right next to downtown and would rather it stay that way. The city not bowing to their pressure to keep development from happening is great, and truthfully more backbone than I would have expected from the city. But, it will be interesting to see how the two types of uses interact once this is built. Truth be told, Ganson IS a pretty inhospitable place for pedestrians right now. Here is the view from the proposed site down Ganson to the east. The blue warehouse on the left and the abandoned grain elevator next to it are to be reused as part of this development, though the grain elevator is proposed for a later phase, perhaps as part of a hotel.

http://imageshack.us/a/img28/9743/vnhe.jpg

The fact that all those businesses have banded together against this gives them some credibility IMO, however if their concerns can be mitigated by street improvements and such, well, lets hope they can co-exist without threats of relocation. :shrug:

westcoastperspective

Dec 18, 2013, 1:51 PM

The fact that all those businesses have banded together against this gives them some credibility IMO, however if their concerns can be mitigated by street improvements and such, well, lets hope they can co-exist without threats of relocation. :shrug:

Aren't most concerts in the evening? Do these companies get deliveries 24/7? General Mills probably does. The others- not sure. There definitely needs to be some streetscaping done. If people are walking from Cobblestone parking lots - create a riverside path they can walk on to get them off of Ganson. And when concerts are over - make cars turn left out of the parking lot away from General Mills/Michigan Avenue.

normguy1954

Dec 20, 2013, 6:55 PM

I was in the city again this past week and was really amazed at all the construction and renovations going on, seemingly everywhere I drove. I like to seek out the places I read about on this forum and see them up close. Hope asking a question is allowed. I wonder if anyone has information on possible plans for the old AM&A's store downtown? I have not heard anything about it in a long time. Thanks, and also thank you to all the great posters.

westcoastperspective

Dec 21, 2013, 2:08 PM

Tedious

Dec 21, 2013, 5:55 PM

Rumors were flying a few months ago that Rocco was interested in it again but that appears to have died off. It's in such a prime location- having it sit empty for a decade is embarrassing.

Without the expanded tax credits, the place will probably need either a gift from the public or a developer who doesn't mind losing millions. With the Lafayette done, it's in Rocco's interest to also do AMnA's since it's a blight on the neighborhood. If he can't make it work, no one can imo. It's just one of those places :(

westcoastperspective

Dec 22, 2013, 3:34 PM

Without the expanded tax credits, the place will probably need either a gift from the public or a developer who doesn't mind losing millions. With the Lafayette done, it's in Rocco's interest to also do AMnA's since it's a blight on the neighborhood. If he can't make it work, no one can imo. It's just one of those places :(

There was a developer from Rochester that looked at it (Sibley?). Not sure if they're interested or ran for the hills. :runaway:

I'd be OK with the building being demo'd for new construction - something about the same size- but what are the chances of that? Imagine a parking lot there instead. I'd be fine with a park there - I wonder what the back side of Brisbane looks like (which is a good candidate for residential conversion IMO).

Fortunate4Now

Dec 22, 2013, 5:39 PM

I'd be OK with the building being demo'd for new construction - something about the same size- but what are the chances of that?

I would have to agree, but with all the activity on Main street you would think plans for the building aren't more than a year or two out. The building is certainly not much to look at, and from what I understand the layout presents quite a challenge.

Tedious

Dec 22, 2013, 8:50 PM

It doesn't look like much now, but the whole complex would make a pretty attractive conversion.

http://greaterbuffalo.blogs.com/photos/jn_adamamas/jn_adam_1948.JPG

And don't forget that the property includes these earlier buildings:

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3062/5752573449_db8b2a9d12.jpg

That said I wouldn't mind if the newer part was torn down and replaced with a 7 story build to match up with the neighboring buildings' height so it wasn't so clunky. This would allow the interior of the block to become hollow (Termini mentioned they would have to carve an atrium in the middle to allow light in, at a cost of $8 million). Either way, demolition itself would still require a huge subsidy, as asbestos removal alone was quoted at $5 million.

westcoastperspective

Jan 1, 2014, 3:37 PM

It's been a good year:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/855/84et.png (https://imageshack.com/i/nr84etp)

ladsnine

Jan 6, 2014, 3:51 AM

Happy New Year everyone!

I was waiting for the #24 Genesee bus out to the airport a couple weeks ago and snapped this shot of progress at the Catholic Health HQ. Sorry, old camera on a rainy day so not the greatest quality.

http://imageshack.us/a/img163/5980/o3qn.jpg

Also, here's a photo of the 112 Genesee Street (Ellicott Paint) building that is going residential. The loft conversion is planned for the right building, but the interesting thing here is that the left building has been boarded up for years and isn't anymore, so perhaps something is happening here as well?

http://imageshack.us/a/img11/396/xjoy.jpg

westcoastperspective

Jan 6, 2014, 2:05 PM

Happy New Year everyone!

http://imageshack.us/a/img163/5980/o3qn.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img11/396/xjoy.jpg

Thanks for these!

Catholic Health is much closer to the corner than I envisioned looking at the site plan. Ideally the building would have been built right at the corner, but this isn't "too" bad.

Interesting about the Genesee Street building. It does have a separate owner but I haven't heard if they are working with the owners at 112 Genny or are doing something on their own. In any case- yes, looks much better with the boards gone!

:tup:

Fortunate4Now

Jan 11, 2014, 8:39 PM

They let me into dinosaur bbq! Kind of a dreary rainy day.

Sorry the quality sucks, I really need to get a better camera. Also there's a big shipping container in front which makes things difficult.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/Localvandal/Photos%20In%20Buffalo/5934d247-8d78-4045-b865-e23e28297570_zps71642a8a.jpg

Covered pathway along the side
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/Localvandal/Photos%20In%20Buffalo/DYNOBBQBuffalooutsidehall_zps753152ef.jpg

Entrance
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/Localvandal/Photos%20In%20Buffalo/DYNOBBQBuffaloentrance_zps289e5bbc.jpg

Looking inside
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/Localvandal/Photos%20In%20Buffalo/inside1_zpsbeed4e63.jpg

Bar area
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/Localvandal/Photos%20In%20Buffalo/DYNOBBQBuffalobar_zps4166260b.jpg

To Kitchen
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/Localvandal/Photos%20In%20Buffalo/DYNOBBQBuffalokitchen_zpsbb82d5c8.jpg

Sign
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/Localvandal/Photos%20In%20Buffalo/SignDYNOBBQBuffalo_zpsd24b778d.jpg

Full sign
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/Localvandal/Photos%20In%20Buffalo/SignDYNOBBQBuffalofull_zps0561901d.jpg

Some other photos I snapped today:

Medical Campus steel!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/Localvandal/Photos%20In%20Buffalo/medcampususe_zps4c8e1d87.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/Localvandal/Photos%20In%20Buffalo/main1_zps6565dfb0.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/Localvandal/Photos%20In%20Buffalo/main2_zps02d11925.jpg

westcoastperspective

Jan 12, 2014, 2:34 PM

Sweet!

Kind of funky interior on Dino, no? Glass block? :yuck:

Looks like they have a bit of façade work remaining and only a few weeks to finish it.

Fortunate4Now

Jan 12, 2014, 3:58 PM

Sweet!

Kind of funky interior on Dino, no? Glass block? :yuck:

Looks like they have a bit of façade work remaining and only a few weeks to finish it.

I was thinking the same thing. They still have a lot of work left. One thing not completely clear in the photos is there was a lot of nice, reclaimed wood that will be sure to pop once it's cleaned up.

ladsnine

Jan 13, 2014, 4:55 AM

Thanks for the awesome photos, f4n. Very cool to see inside the Dino.

I guess I was hoping the interior of the Dino would play more into the industrial concrete feel of the 1940s film vault building it occupies, but I think they didn't know the building's history when they were doing the design. But, that's a minor criticism, obviously. This will be major for downtown. It will be telling to see if the lines are as big for Dinosaur BBQ as they have been for Popeye's Chicken :yes:.

It's also fun to think about how different your second-to-last photo will look in a year. Those three buildings on the right of the photo should all be re-activated by then and whatever's behind that yellow stucco will once again be visible. The street will be mostly replaced and there might even be cars driving down it and parked in front of the buildings. Roosevelt Plaza will be rehabbed with a much more modern look and lighting. The old film warehouse looming above in the distance might be in the process of rehab as well. And there will be other big changes that are just out of the frame.

ladsnine

Jan 18, 2014, 12:53 PM

An update on the work going on at the Delaware Court Building in preparation for demolition and for construction to begin on 250 Delaware this spring.

The building has been ringed with Asbestos tape since about November. Bada Bing was the last tenant and they closed at the beginning of January.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/534/o1w6.jpg

In case you were curious how much asbestos was actually inside the Delaware Court Building...

It reads:
"Metro Environmental & Contracting... will be removing the following Asbestos Containing Materials:
Approx. 19,815 SF Flooring/Mastic
Approx. 122 SF Trowel on Magnesia
Approx. 42 SF Fire Stop Insulation
Approx. 8 SF Vibration Damper
Approx. 178 SF Transite
Approx. 330 SF Window Glaze
Approx. 1,012 SF Roofing
Approx. 1,803 LF Pipe Insulation
Approx. 17 LF Trowel on Magnesia
Approx. 7 LF Wire Insulation
Approx. 72 LF Transite
Start Date: 10/28/13
End Date: 02/28/14
Air Monitor: Envoy Environmental"

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/844/ryay.jpg

Here's where Bada Bing is going -- the old Omega Club space next to Prima Pizza near Chippewa & Pearl.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/546/llff.jpg

Meanwhile, this building permit went up Jan. 6. It reads "** Plans Filed ** Remove Terra-Cotta from the facade to be replicated for new build aka 250 Delaware."

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/849/gxjx.jpg

Here are some notes made on the building for terra cotta pieces that are to be removed as samples for replication as part of the new facade at 250 Delaware. "BVTC" stands for Boston Valley Terra Cotta. They are a company located in Orchard Park that is one of only two terra cotta manufacturers in the United States and three in the whole world. The other in the US is near San Francisco.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/15/nm74.jpg

westcoastperspective

Jan 18, 2014, 2:08 PM

That's pretty cool - it would be a neat to follow the process of BVTC recreating the facade

Fortunate4Now

Jan 19, 2014, 1:59 AM

Thanks for the update Ladsnine!

Tedious

Jan 19, 2014, 3:35 AM

Nice update. So we should have at least 5 tower cranes downtown come summer. ;)

westcoastperspective

Jan 19, 2014, 2:48 PM

Nice update. So we should have at least 5 tower cranes downtown come summer. ;)

Could be seven by fall: Med School and Children's Hospital

:shrug:

ladsnine

Jan 20, 2014, 3:38 AM

That must be, by far, a record. I mean, the last time there was probably a tower crane in Buffalo at all was the early 90s when Key Towers were built, or perhaps when the Roswell Cancer Center tower was built in the mid-90s. What is now M&T Center probably had one in the early 80s. One Seneca Tower in the early 70s before that. Main Place, Main-Court and M&T Towers in the early to mid-60s. But, has there ever been a time with 5+ tower cranes in the sky in recent memory?

(And, obviously, if we go back further than "recent memory", they usually didn't use tower cranes in the early decades of the 20th century when most of Buffalo's highrises date from, so perhaps the question is -- has this ever happened in Buffalo?)

Just to type them out to keep track for my own benefit, potentially by late this year we might have:
1, 2. HarborCenter (2 cranes)
3. Conventus
4. Roswell
5. 250 Delaware
6. UB Med School
7. Womens and Childrens Hospital

westcoastperspective

Jan 20, 2014, 5:04 AM

Key Center had a tower crane...and the Federal Center on S. Elmwood.

Don't forget the Kaleida blue cube on med campus had one a couple of years ago.

But seven is definitely a Buffalo record. Could be eight if The Carlo starts construction on the waterfront. :cool:

westcoastperspective

Jan 20, 2014, 2:49 PM

Ohio Street project redesigned, still 78 units:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/15/e6x5.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/0fe6x5j)

http://buffalorising.com/2014/01/ohio-street-project-redesigned/

westcoastperspective

Jan 20, 2014, 10:39 PM

Construction crews will begin erecting structural steel on the sixth floor of HARBORCENTER at approximately 8:00 AM on Tuesday, January 21.

ladsnine

Jan 21, 2014, 12:16 PM

Construction crews will begin erecting structural steel on the sixth floor of HARBORCENTER at approximately 8:00 AM on Tuesday, January 21.

Awww, HarborCenter is growing up! *sheds tear* Awesome to see them being so serious about their construction schedule, even through what is shaping up to be a pretty brutal winter.

I LOVE the new design for Freight House Landing/Buffalo River Lofts. I think Buffalo desperately needs some modern design, and this looks pretty good. I think there will be a huge market for these apartments because there is literally nothing like it in Buffalo - no really modern design, nothing along the river, and nothing new at all in these old but charming (in their rusty way) industrial corridors. Hopefully they don't cheap out on those metal panels (good panels can be expensive) and hopefully they don't value-engineer out the diagonal element of the entryways. The coolest stuff tends to always go first on developer projects.

ladsnine

Jan 21, 2014, 12:38 PM

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/849/xvdm.jpg
Image source: Bing Maps/my own work

Owner eyes expansion of Pilgrim Village housing complex (http://www.buffalonews.com/business/owner-eyes-expansion-of-pilgrim-village-housing-complex-20140120)

The first three-year phase would see 32 existing units demolished and replaced with 80 senior units, while the 58 remaining units would undergo a $3 million renovation, according to a project outline. The developer would add 300 units on the same cleared section of the property for students, medical staff and others. Over time, if demand dictates, more of the older units would be demolished and replaced with new units, with at least 20 percent set aside for below-market rents.

So, we are looking at potentially 380 units replacing just 32 of the 90, with more potentially in the future. Or, an increase of density on this underused parcel of more than 10x. I guess the Medical Campus really IS driving private development...

I wonder how tall the buildings containing the 380 units would have to be? The existing buildings are 2 stories, but they have tons of green space and parking lots, so my off-the-cuff guess would be maybe 5 stories for the new buildings. Any other guesses?

ladsnine

Jan 21, 2014, 12:50 PM

Also of interest --

Ensuring future of farmland, local communities buy up property so it stays just the way it is (http://www.buffalonews.com/city-region/erie-county/ensuring-future-of-farmland-local-communities-buy-up-property-so-it-stays-just-the-way-it-is-20140120)

To help preserve Erie County’s agricultural integrity, five towns are buying up property or paying owners to keep it development-free – forever

...

But little by little, a handful of communities are quietly staking claim to what’s left before it’s gone for good.

They’re buying up land for farming or paying property owners to keep it as agriculture – forever.

“This is the only system that I know of that works,” said Nancy R. Smith, executive director of the Western New York Land Conservancy, a not-for-profit organization that helps communities preserve and monitor farmland and open space.

The problem is that the Buffalo region continues to sprawl despite its declining population, Smith said.

As a result, she said, new homes and development are taking away prime soils – and leading to this suburban fight to save green space.

...

They would never call it this, but this has some aspects of the establishment of an urban growth boundary, though not as widespread or defined. Granted, growth can leapfrog into Newstead or some other area, but at least it isn't just free-for-all new subdivisions. The tolls on the Thruway at the edge of the built-up section of the metro area, in my opinion, is also helping to keep sprawl under control. This type of sprawl control is probably helping lead to some of the revitalization in the central city - though there are many other factors leading to it, as well.

westcoastperspective

Jan 21, 2014, 1:57 PM

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/849/xvdm.jpg
Image source: Bing Maps/my own work

So, we are looking at potentially 380 units replacing just 32 of the 90, with more potentially in the future. Or, an increase of density on this underused parcel of more than 10x. I guess the Medical Campus really IS driving private development...

I wonder how tall the buildings containing the 380 units would have to be? The existing buildings are 2 stories, but they have tons of green space and parking lots, so my off-the-cuff guess would be maybe 5 stories for the new buildings. Any other guesses?

I'm putting this one in the "I'll believe it when I see it category." His father was good at announcing projects and never building them in the city and suburbs. That being said, that site would make for a great infill project - higher density and MARKET RATE.

ladsnine

Jan 21, 2014, 11:48 PM

I didn't realize his family's record. Nonetheless, would set a good precedent for re-densification of the city's core if it were to happen.