BUFFALO | Development Thread [Archive] - Page 3

BANKofMANHATTAN

Nov 1, 2006, 6:19 PM

My original image with the tower facing the wrong way:

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/5983/bufnewsm06rt8.jpg

The same image given to Cannon Design, for re-tooling. The building was put in the right way, resized, and the background was taken out. However, the building's position is wrong, i believe - you wouldn't see the base of the tower from that far back on Niagara St. (& Maryland Ave.) - Also it is covering up buildings in the foreground on Niagara St. :

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/866/towerniastsmwn4.jpg

An aerial shot i used to show the vantage point and select buildings for placement purposes:

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/3316/aerialdowtownbki0.jpg

My re-rendered version with the building in a closer-to-correct view:

http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/2157/bufnewtowers2db8.jpg

westcoastperspective

Nov 1, 2006, 6:30 PM

:worship: BANK:worship:

Downtown Bolivar

Nov 1, 2006, 7:00 PM

Awesome render--amazing!

FALLSVIEW

Nov 1, 2006, 7:09 PM

123456

BANKofMANHATTAN

Nov 1, 2006, 7:35 PM

:cheers:

For Halovet:

http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/1491/33plusbscqa3.jpg

homestar

Nov 1, 2006, 7:52 PM

steel

Nov 1, 2006, 7:55 PM

Oh, I forgot the Preservationists. They go wayyy to far in Buffalo also.

How do you come to that conclusion? Half of downtown has been demolished over the past 50 years including one of the most important buildings in all of architectural history. If anything they have been sitting on their hands.

BANKofMANHATTAN

Nov 1, 2006, 8:13 PM

^^ Awesome work on the renderings! Also I think it's cool canon agreed to help (even if they are off a bit on location)

Question on that screen they plan to install on east/west side...
are there any examples of existing buildings that have such a screen? I don't think I've see a feature like that before and just curious what it would actually look like.

I think there are quite a few buildings with screens/curtains like that. I can't find any examples at the moment, unfortunately.

I believe my cousin, who's company is currently bidding on the WTC site (they do heating/cooling/etc for major projects in the NYC area), deals with such elements. He briefly explained them to me - however, i'm not sure the screens on the BSC Tower are the same thing as what he mentioned. :shrug:

Wheelingman04

Nov 1, 2006, 10:08 PM

Those renderings are really awesome. I really hope Buffalo gets this tower.

Evergrey

Nov 1, 2006, 10:11 PM

great job, BankofManhattan... perhaps I'll have to take a trip up to Buffalo once this tower is completed. I haven't been there since 2003... seems like a lot has changed in the Queen City since then.

Sgt. Sabre

Nov 1, 2006, 10:57 PM

Those renderings are awesome. I especially like the final Niagara St one. The Cannon one is too bright and fake, it looks like what would happen if you set up a model railroad and painted everything with glossy paint - it's not like that in real life.

Though I think in the one from the 33, the building almost looks shorter than the Rand Building. Though next to the crown of City Hall (essentially the same distance) it looks OK. So maybe it is good.

believeinbflo

Nov 2, 2006, 1:41 AM

http://static.flickr.com/118/286266342_44adebd48e.jpg?v=0
Good news...i assume that the leasing sign means this is definitely being built

westcoastperspective

Nov 2, 2006, 2:47 AM

http://static.flickr.com/118/286266342_44adebd48e.jpg?v=0
Good news...i assume that the leasing sign means this is definitely being built

:haha: If only....

westcoastperspective

Nov 2, 2006, 2:50 AM

^^ Awesome work on the renderings! Also I think it's cool canon agreed to help (even if they are off a bit on location)

Question on that screen they plan to install on east/west side...
are there any examples of existing buildings that have such a screen? I don't think I've see a feature like that before and just curious what it would actually look like.

The new Federal Bldg. in San Fran uses screens...Though the City Tower treatment looks to be not as heavy

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/717/sfbldglgbp7.jpg

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/4180/7bjf9.jpg

believeinbflo

Nov 2, 2006, 3:26 AM

:haha: If only....
augh! why can't paladino just do this thing?!? Im almost certain they're obliged by law to start construction this year or face penalty...right?

thestip

Nov 2, 2006, 5:26 AM

augh! why can't paladino just do this thing?!? Im almost certain they're obliged by law to start construction this year or face penalty...right?

I forget the timetable, but the penalty is that he loses the land, it reverts back to the city. Smartest thing the city has done in years!

Halovet

Nov 2, 2006, 8:23 AM

Those renderings are really awesome. I really hope Buffalo gets this tower.Oh, it will get built alright. The question that concerns me is, will they start scalling down. Seems every major development ends up much smaller than proposed, not to mention the ones that never got started. HSBC in the 60s,only one of three planned. County Building, 22 stories, ended up shorter. Key Center was planned as One tower, 25-30 stories, got moved, now it's 17 and 12. The Casino got cut back after on week, but as I said before, I've got a good feeling about this one. Not every day Buffalo gets this large a project with nobody asking for public funding. I think that's the key.

Halovet

Nov 2, 2006, 8:30 AM

:cheers:

For Halovet:

http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/1491/33plusbscqa3.jpgOH MY GOD! I'M STROKING OUT!:banana: :notacrook: :banana:

Halovet

Nov 2, 2006, 8:39 AM

How do you come to that conclusion? Half of downtown has been demolished over the past 50 years including one of the most important buildings in all of architectural history. If anything they have been sitting on their hands.Don't even remember what the subject was steel, and I ain't goin back to look. I remember something potentialy pissed me off, but it's not importent. BANKofMANHATTEN has made me one happy camper with his outstanding renders:) Lets call the whole thing off.:notacrook:

Halovet

Nov 2, 2006, 9:03 AM

:dunce: Sure did, and it passed 6-3 I believe. :dunce:No ideal how happy I am to see I was wrong about the Casino cutback. More encourgment that Buffalo is coming back strong!:)

kznyc2k

Nov 2, 2006, 7:08 PM

Congrats to Buffalo! Let's hope it doesn't get watered down to any height lower than the HSBC tower. Better yet, stretch it even higher so that it fits in with the skyline better, cuz as it is right now, that tower is quite the fattie. It doesn't so much reshape the skyline as it does squat on it. But harping aside this is really good news. Last year at this time there was talk of how 2006 was shaping up to be a good year, and by now I think we can say at the least that it hasn't disappointed! Either way I haven't been downtown in three years by now and this gives me a good reason to visit fairly soon.

Oh and BANKofMANHATTAN, could you ask Cannon to release just one rendering that is the slightest bit realistic? We all know the glass will not look like that in real life.. ya know, it's ok for a building to not be transparent, you don't need to be ashamed of it, alright Mr. Cannon? :hmmm: :rolleyes:

homestar

Nov 2, 2006, 7:30 PM

The new Federal Bldg. in San Fran uses screens...Though the City Tower treatment looks to be not as heavy
Thanks WCP. It seems like a relatively newer type of feature. I wonder how they stand the test of time, and the reality of blowing leaves and plastic bags. I just hope it doesn't turn into a giant Lint Trap for downtown. lol.

Halovet

Nov 2, 2006, 7:35 PM

kznyc2k points out what many of us think. That the tower appears to be wide. One reason why I feel confident that the height won't be lowered. Actually, I'm willing to bet that it was planned taller originally, and may have been already lowered. I wonder if there are many cases where a tower was planned at one height, then made taller?:hmmm:

believeinbflo

Nov 3, 2006, 8:17 PM

Here are a couple of pics i took of 285 Delaware this week. For those of you unfamiliar with it, its a 5 story building which will be mostly occupied by M&T
http://static.flickr.com/110/286412232_b790cc81e3.jpg?v=0
http://static.flickr.com/106/286412214_6be9f7f2a2.jpg?v=0

and this is what the final rendering is courtesy of BuffaloRising...
http://www.buffalorising.com/city/archives/upload/2006/03/285_delaware-thumb.jpg

Halovet

Nov 4, 2006, 12:21 PM

State AG's office moving to Main Place Tower

Many state agencies relocating offices to new downtown sites

By SHARON LINSTEDT
News Staff Reporter
11/3/2006

http://www.buffalonews.com/graphics/2006/11/03/actualsize/1103tower.jpg

Buffalo News file photo
The state Attorney General will take about 40,000 square feet in Main Place Tower, shown here from the lobby of One M&T Plaza.

The state Attorney General's Buffalo region office will relocate to downtown's Main Place Tower next summer.
Patrick Hotung, general manager of Main Place-Liberty Group, declined to comment on the key new tenant, but sources confirmed the state office will leave the Statler Towers late next spring.

"We have been working aggressively to sign new tenants, but I'm not at liberty to talk about any pending deals or parties we're talking to," Hotung said.

The state Office of General Services announced in March that it was seeking nearly 40,000 square feet of space within a four-block radius of Niagara Square for the 95 state lawyers. The state required the new site to be handicapped-accessible and have a loading dock.

The state was seeking a 10-year lease. The state's current decade-long lease at the Statler expires on March 1, 2007, but the agency will extend its stay by several months to allow time for its new offices to be readied.

"We hate to lose them as a tenant, but we've agreed to let them continue operations here as long as necessary," said Statler leasing agency George Hamberger.

The decision to leave the Statler was made before the building was sold to British developer Bashar Issa, who plans an $80 million makeover of the former hotel to a mix of office, residential and hotel uses.

The attorney general's office has occupied nearly 25,000 square feet on the Statler's fourth floor since 1997, and also leases 3,400 square feet of storage space in the building.

The signing is a coup for Main Place-Liberty Group, which was competing with several other downtown landlords for the state agency. The 950,000-square-foot Main Street complex, which includes the Main Place Tower, Main Place Mall and Liberty Building, has a combined vacancy rate approaching 50 percent.

The attorney general's office is among more than a dozen state offices that will move into new quarters over the next year. The Office of General Services is in the process of clearing out the Donovan State Office building, located at the corner of Washington and Scott streets; it will be demolished to make room for redevelopment of Lower Main Street.

Donovan's largest tenant, the state Department of Transportation, will relocate its more than 400 staffers to nearly 80,000 square feet of office space at 100 Seneca St. this month. Ellicott Development, that building's owner, also has signed a lease to house the Department of Parole in the former Courtyard Mall at 460 Main St. in December.

Iskalo Development currently is developing 23,000 square feet of office space for six smaller agencies at the Electric Tower (the former Niagara Mohawk building) at 535 Washington St. That group, which includes the state Liquor Authority, Agriculture and Markets, Public Employment Relations Board and Governor's Office for Employee Relations, will move into the historic building by the end of the year.

No firm timetable has been set for interior demolition and razing of the Donovan Building, but physical review of the structure for environmental hazards is under way. A substantial asbestos-abatement effort will be a key first step.

e-mail: slinstedt@buffnews.com

Halovet

Nov 4, 2006, 12:38 PM

Ok, now maybe it's just me, but here we have The State AG's office moving to Main Place Tower, from an Issa owned building. What message would this send to Mr. Issa who is looking for tennents for The proposed City Tower? A State government agency no less. Is it that the state is not in support of the proposel? Conventional wisdom says no, but hey, we are talking Buffalo. Other State offices are moving all over downtown. Why is the state not negotiating space in the new tower? Could it be that the state is afraid Issa's people might ask for some sort of funding?:shrug: or perhaps it's just my well entrenched paranoia?:ahhh:

westcoastperspective

Nov 4, 2006, 1:52 PM

First Amherst is moving forward with plans for a residential complex on the 700 block of Main- they'll tear down the Vernor and build a mix of 100 condos and apartments. Would start work next year.

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/2199/dsc0103mv4.jpg

Halovet- you're over-thinking the AG move. The State is out for the best deal- not what could be the most expensive space in downtown and needs space before 2010. You missed this part:

The decision to leave the Statler was made before the building was sold to British developer Bashar Issa, who plans an $80 million makeover of the former hotel to a mix of office, residential and hotel uses.

The Statler hasn't been maintained very well, or at least, the former owners won't upgrading it. The AG decided to move on and expand. Good news- this opens space on the lower floors that other Statler tenants could move into. Issa had planned to keep offices on lower floors with rooms and residential on top. Anyone that would have been forced to move for the conversion now has an in-Statler option.

The sun is still shining! :D

Downtown Bolivar

Nov 4, 2006, 5:51 PM

The more tennants who move out voluntarily before construction the better. I know this building isn't going to be as drastically made over as the Dulski, but this is still going to be a major renovation and the inside is most likely going to look like a construction zone. In other words it's probaly not the best place for offices until it's finished.

Too bad about the Vernor, but at least now we're getting a building and not a parking lot as was planned before. Another feather in the hat of downtown. Besides, the renovation would have been very expensive--this building was neglected for way too long.

buffaLOVE

Nov 4, 2006, 10:29 PM

westcoastperspective

Nov 5, 2006, 2:43 AM

Do you know the size of what they are goin to build like height and square feet or are the plans not out yet

Too early yet.

Halovet

Nov 5, 2006, 6:33 AM

Thanks westcoastperspective and Downtown Bolivar. Guess I just paniced. Come to think of it, I didn't take my prozac, LOL! Guess Im just one of those old Buffalo skeptics, done in by all the crooks and incompitent leadership of the past. Im not alone. It's going to take a while for people to trust again. Hell, I haven't trusted these "guyz" sense the 60s, but with all the great news, Im willing to give Brown and his new friends (Issa and Hamberger) a shot. Hey, where's Giambra hideing these days?

STERNyc

Nov 5, 2006, 10:47 AM

The 950,000-square-foot Main Street complex, which includes the Main Place Tower, Main Place Mall and Liberty Building, has a combined vacancy rate approaching 50 percent.

I find that statistic quite alarming. I also take the news of a state enterprise taking space in this building with a grain of salt. Buffalo has too many public sector jobs, its seems like most of the space occupied in downtown Buffalo with out the name M&T or HSBC plastered on the facade are state jobs which are adding to the high tax burden. I think it would be better if Buffalo greatly shrunk the public sector in both jobs and services, in turn lower taxes and attract private sector jobs and residents who will in turn create a larger tax base and then Buffalo should sensibly return public sector jobs and services.

sullymon54

Nov 5, 2006, 2:14 PM

You're right stern, however i think the abundance of jobs has been caused by the same reason the region has too much infrastructure. All the systems we built when the city had twice the population and when many municipalities had projected populations far greater than they ever achieved. Can anyone say right sizing.

Sulley

Nov 5, 2006, 6:53 PM

I agree 150% with Stern.

Rue B

Nov 6, 2006, 3:47 AM

Heres a few new photos I took last weekend

HealthNow HQs under construction
http://img432.imageshack.us/img432/9062/dscf1045jg0.jpg
http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/5122/dscf1074ig7.jpg
http://img93.imageshack.us/img93/5271/dscf1072kw2.jpg
http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/5067/dscf1065ib9.jpg
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/8083/dscf1050ve1.jpg
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/6598/dscf1061be7.jpg
http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/7916/dscf1081at0.jpg
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/4563/dscf1088sn3.jpg

Infill next to the Ellicott Lofts (http://www.ellicottlofts.com/)
http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/5069/dscf1021ws8.jpg
http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/2966/dscf1034pc9.jpg
http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/5535/dscf1030wa1.jpg

Uniland building on Delaware
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/3023/dscf1017hb5.jpg
http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/6290/dscf1019cw1.jpg

kznyc2k

Nov 6, 2006, 4:58 AM

http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/5067/dscf1065ib9.jpg

Suburbancrap-tacular!

(I know I know.. beggars can't be choosers)

westcoastperspective

Nov 6, 2006, 5:16 AM

Sweet Jesus- How big is that parking ramp for HealthNow? :koko:
And the offices look more and more like something from UB Amherst. :yuck:

Cool pics Rue...glad you didn't get killed getting the one from the I190.

CBBC

Nov 6, 2006, 5:21 AM

hello...lol

westcoastperspective

Nov 6, 2006, 5:28 AM

hello...lol

what are you doing here? ;)

steel

Nov 6, 2006, 5:36 AM

As long as he stays on his meds they allow him to play over here

kznyc2k

Nov 6, 2006, 5:44 AM

And the offices look more and more like something from UB Amherst. :yuck:

HEY NOW! As someone who attended UB for two years (and lived both of them in "Lego Land" Ellicott), I personally take a lack of offense to that! UB North would have sheathed it in a life-stifling dark brown brick and picked even more mundane of windows than were chosen. Plus, it would have been built on a marshy site that can't support big trees to block the winds so office riots and protests couldn't happen. Therefore puh-leez leave UB North out of this.. they do bad architecture THE BADDEST IN THE WORLD YEAH!!!! GO UB FOOTBALL!!!!!

westcoastperspective

Nov 6, 2006, 5:48 AM

Halovet

Nov 6, 2006, 10:18 AM

What's with the windows on Ellicott Commons- cool that they're going to be arched, but they look out of scale to the two 'buildings' to the right that are also new construction. It looks like the model apartment profiled on BRising is on the second floor above 'Technologies Inc.)

http://www.buffalorising.com/city/archives/2006/10/key_to_the_city.php
Wow! Black granite counter tops and stainless steel cabinets. All that stuff sounds right up my ally. I'd kill to live in a loft like that. Bet they go like hookers at the Republican Convention.:D

Rue B

Nov 7, 2006, 7:46 PM

Construction activity on the Artspace project on Main St. (between Northampton & Coe) Site preparation was underway for the townhouses behind this building but thanks to the battery dying on my camera, I don't have pics of it yet.
http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/8881/asfrontisfooterwr4.jpg
http://img484.imageshack.us/img484/7241/dscf1131uw1.jpg
http://img361.imageshack.us/img361/2511/dscf1162ri1.jpg
http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/2415/dscf1160ms9.jpg
The Artspace project is a featured site for HGTV's Restore America (http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/rm_restoration_homes_areas/article/0,,HGTV_3787_4640981,00.html) campaign
http://img71.imageshack.us/img71/6519/dscf1142ai7.jpg
http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/5154/dscf1135fd8.jpg

Renovations at Main & Dodge (1 block from Artspace). Anyone recall what the plans are for this?
http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/2451/dscf1120wq5.jpg
http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/579/dscf1125ih4.jpg

mrussell83

Nov 7, 2006, 10:50 PM

Main St is looking good!

mrussell83

Nov 8, 2006, 12:32 AM

Info about 50 Court St:

November 7, 2006

Mark Russell
73 Wendel Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14223

Re: 50 Court

Dear Mark:

Please find enclosed information on 50 Court Street. This building will be ideally positioned to service the general business community. The building will be constructed on the south side of Court Street between Pearl Street and Franklin Street within easy walking distance of County Hall and all of the federal, state and local court facilities.

The building will include approximately 290,000 square feet of Class A office space and 155 indoor executive parking spaces. Additional parking may be available in the Fernbach Ramp, which is located immediately adjacent to the building, and the Main Place Ramp, which is located immediately across the street from the building.

The exterior of the building will be primarily a glass curtain wall design with a 3-story stone façade along Court Street. A dark stone band along the bottom of the building will provide a strong clean base.

The building will offer large open floor plates ranging in size from 25,000 to 30,000 square feet. Column spacing will be 30 to 35 feet on center allowing for large areas of unobstructed space. The building’s large open floor plates, generous column spacing and curtain wall design will provide maximum efficiency in office layout and design.

The building’s main lobby will be consistent with a Class A office building. From its 18-foot high sculptured ceilings to its rich granite tile floors, the lobby will project a level of elegance and exceptional design.

A reception desk and building directory will be located near the center of the lobby. This reception desk will be staffed with a building attendant during all normal business hours. Just beyond the reception desk will be the building’s three high-speed passenger elevators, which will move tenants quickly and efficiently throughout the building. The building will also include a service elevator that will be located immediately off of the building’s shipping and receiving area.

The building’s state-of-the-art HVAC system and other modern building systems will ensure maximum comfort, control and indoor air quality. All of the entrances to the building will be monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by video surveillance cameras.

The building will include a private health and fitness facility. This health and fitness facility will be reserved exclusively for tenants in the building and will include the latest in cardiovascular and exercise equipment, televisions, locker rooms and showers. The building will include several other amenities, including a deli.

We plan to commence construction in the next spring with occupancy by the fall of 2008.

If you have any questions or would like any additional information on 50 Court, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Very truly yours,
ELLICOTT DEVELOPMENT COMPANY

SARAH L.COUCH
Vice President
Director of Leasing

More info

Floor Plans:
1st floor
http://mrussell.us/50court/floor1.jpg

2nd floor
http://mrussell.us/50court/floor2.jpg

4-11th floor
http://mrussell.us/50court/floor4-11.jpg

http://mrussell.us/50court/50%20Court%20Brochure%20FRONT_BACK%207-11-06.pdf

http://mrussell.us/50court/50%20Court%20Brochure%20INSIDE%207-11-06.pdf

steel

Nov 8, 2006, 4:08 AM

Now we all know where Mark lives.

thestip

Nov 8, 2006, 5:04 AM

I was really hoping that there would have been a solid retail component in this building, and now I am disappointed. Just the bank, woo hoo. I know, I should be happy about filling in that hole on Court, but I really would have liked to have a solid wall of retail along Court Street.

mrussell83

Nov 8, 2006, 2:45 PM

Come on over for a Beer anytime :)

I wonder what Bank they are going to get in there?

westcoastperspective

Nov 8, 2006, 3:20 PM

Come on over for a Beer anytime :)

I wonder what Bank they are going to get in there?

My Guess- Charter One or Greater Buffalo Savings...

Wigs

Nov 8, 2006, 4:29 PM

I'm thinking Greater Buffalo Savings

thestip

Nov 8, 2006, 9:42 PM

Here's a synopsis of the latest project that I have been working on for Black Rock and Riverside:

http://www.buffalorising.com/city/archives/2006/11/black_rock_canal_park.php

Any thoughts??

buffaLOVE

Nov 8, 2006, 11:37 PM

Any news on gates circle?

mrussell83

Nov 9, 2006, 12:07 AM

The blackrock canal park looks great. Something that area could use, no too far from Harrys Harbour Place too.
How about slowing down the 198? :) I'm all for that one as well!

westcoastperspective

Nov 10, 2006, 12:24 AM

Another office building announcement coming soon- three-stories near downtown. Details as soon as tomorrow.

:cheers:

Wigs

Nov 10, 2006, 12:33 AM

woooo 3 stories.
lol
hey i shouldn't joke, I'm happy with new development in/near Downtown.

wcp, do you think it's now a good time for another update of the development list?

westcoastperspective

Nov 10, 2006, 12:52 AM

Yeah, that's something I need to work on. I am planning to do a BRising post listing projects announced, started and completed in 2006 towards the end of December. But I can put something up earlier here- most of those folks don't venture over this way. :D

mrussell83

Nov 10, 2006, 1:42 AM

It would be nice to have current pictures of all projects Underway or Completed. I can help with this :)

westcoastperspective

Nov 10, 2006, 6:05 AM

It would be nice to have current pictures of all projects Underway or Completed. I can help with this :)

I can supply a list- you already have a good start.

mrussell83

Nov 10, 2006, 2:01 PM

Lets do it, I can get them done over the weekend.

westcoastperspective

Nov 10, 2006, 3:16 PM

CityView Development is planning a new office building: Mill Race Commons- 75,000 sq.ft., 3 stories planned at 725 Exchange Street, across from Larkin at Exchange Building.

Don't have a rendering yet, but I've been asking!

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/6931/larkinqr8.jpg

RED = Properties owned by CityView Development

http://www.buffalorising.com/city/archives/2006/11/larkin_district_grows.php

Rue B

Nov 10, 2006, 3:34 PM

New Exchange St. office building planned

By SHARON LINSTEDT
News Staff Reporter
11/10/2006

The development group that successfully converted a 600,000-square-foot warehouse on Exchange Street in Buffalo to a Class-A office building is planning a new-build project across the street.
CityView Properties, which took the commercial development community by surprise by filling all but 50,000 square feet of the sprawling Larkin at Exchange building in just less than four years, now plans a three-story, 75,000-square-foot office building at 725 Exchange St. The development team, led by Howard Zemsky, is seeking $8 million from the Erie County Industrial Development Agency to aid the $13.5 million project.

Zemsky could not be reached to comment.

Documents filed with the ECIDA describe Mill Race Commons as a Class A office building that will complement the much larger Larkin at Exchange located directly across the street. CityView anticipates the new building will create 10 to 20 new jobs, and attract some 300 to 500 workers to what Zemsky calls the "Larkin District."

CityView has not revealed whether they have a specific tenant planned for the new office building.

The investment group purchased the former Graphic Controls building, which started its life as a Larkin Soap Co. warehouse, in 2002 and converted it to state-of-the-art office space in a location better known for industrial space. Over the past four years, CityView has filled the off-the-beaten-track building with "A list" tenants, including insurance companies, law firms, government agencies and an advertising firm.

In addition to Larkin at Exchange, CityView's portfolio also includes: City Centre condominiums in the 600-block of Main Street, The Root Building on Chippewa Street, and a new-build office building at the corner of Main and Chippewa streets which debuted in 2005.

The development group has purchased nine properties in the Exchange Street/Van Rensselaer Street neighborhood over the past few years.

Zemsky is also involved in Upper Canada Hotels, a group of boutique inns located in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. He is also past chairman of the Darwin Martin House Restoration Corp.

http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20061110/1063214.asp

westcoastperspective

Nov 10, 2006, 6:12 PM

Proposed/UC/Recently Completed Downtown-Area Projects

Office
Buffalo City Tower PL
Cobblestone Lofts- Office Bldg. Done
Court Street Tower PL
Courtyard Mall Renovation UC
Delaware, 285 UC
Delaware, 591- Renovation UC
Delaware, 599- Renovation Done
Dulski Building PL
Electric Tower Reno. UC
HealthNow Headquarters UC
Mill Race Commons PL
New Era Center- Delaware Ave. Done
Roanoke Bldg. Expansion PL
Seneca Street, 100- Renovation UC
Swan Bldg., 731 Main Street Done
Uniland- N. Genesee Block PL
WNY MRI Center- expansion UC

Other
Auto Museum- Wright Gas Station PL
Bass Pro Shop (old Aud) PL
Bioinformatics Center Done
Casino PL
Children's Museum- 173 Elm Street PL
Church St. Streetscape- PL
City Centre Ramp Expansion PL
Donovan Building Parking Ramp PL
ECC Classroom Building, Oak Street PL
ECC Dorms, Oak Street PL
ECC Parking Ramp/Transit Center PL
Federal Courthouse PL
Inner Harbor Excavation UC
Main Street Re-Traffic PL
Roosevelt Historic Site Carr. House PL

Residential
AM&As Building Reno. (unknown) PL
ArtSpace (50 Units) UC
Birzon Building (10 Units) PL
Brownstone Condos (3-6 Units) PL
Buehl Block Bldg. Reno (5 Units) Done
Buffalo City Tower (80 units) PL
Cobblestone Lofts (36 Units) PL
Dulski Building (unknown) PL
ECC Lofts- Ellicott Street (16 Units) PL
Ellicott Commons II (36 Units) UC
Genesee St., 112 Reno. (unknown) PL
Granite Works (29 Units) Done
Greystone Hotel (34 Units) PL
Immaculate Conception Reno. (unknown) PL
IS Lofts (24 Units) Done
Main Street, 456- Baker Shoes (12 Units) PL
Main Street, 535 (3 units) PL
Packard Bldg. (40 Units) PL
Pierce Building, 651-3 Main (4 Units) UC
Saturn Rings Bldg. (25 Units) PL
Spa Lofts (3 units) PL
Statler Hotel (200+ units) PL
Vernor Site (approx. 100 units) PL
Virginia, 430 (10 Units) PL
WarehouseLofts (Seneca Paper (30 Units)) PL
Waterfront Village- Ellicott Dev. (63 Units) PL
Webb Building (32 Units) PL
YWCA North St- Sr. Apts. (65 Units) PL

Hotels
Bass Pro Complex Hotel PL
Buffalo City Tower PL
Dulski Building PL
ECC Boutique Hotel PL
Franklin, 204- Boutique Hotel PL
Statler Hotel PL

mrussell83

Nov 10, 2006, 10:09 PM

I get cracking. You don't happen to have locations for some of the more obsure ones do you?

westcoastperspective

Nov 10, 2006, 11:23 PM

I get cracking. You don't happen to have locations for some of the more obsure ones do you?

list the one's you're unsure of and I'll tell you where they are.

mrussell83

Nov 11, 2006, 1:06 AM

Just these :)

Office
Court Street Tower PL
Mill Race Commons PL
Roanoke Bldg. Expansion PL
WNY MRI Center- expansion UC

Other
Church St. Streetscape- PL
City Centre Ramp Expansion PL
ECC Classroom Building, Oak Street PL
ECC Dorms, Oak Street PL
ECC Parking Ramp/Transit Center PL

Residential
Birzon Building (10 Units) PL
Brownstone Condos (3-6 Units) PL
Buehl Block Bldg. Reno (5 Units) Done
Cobblestone Lofts (36 Units) PL
ECC Lofts- Ellicott Street (16 Units) PL
Greystone Hotel (34 Units) PL
Immaculate Conception Reno. (unknown) PL
Packard Bldg. (40 Units) PL
Saturn Rings Bldg. (25 Units) PL
Spa Lofts (3 units) PL
Vernor Site (approx. 100 units) PL
WarehouseLofts (Seneca Paper (30 Units)) PL
Waterfront Village- Ellicott Dev. (63 Units) PL
Webb Building (32 Units) PL
YWCA North St- Sr. Apts. (65 Units) PL

westcoastperspective

Nov 11, 2006, 1:23 AM

Court Street Tower- 50 Court Street, vacant lot behind Liberty Bldg.
Mill Race Commons- 725 Exchange- Exchange/Van Rensselaer
Roanoke Bldg. Expansion- S. Elmwood @ Chippewa
WNY MRI Center- expansion- Michigan/Genesee

Other
Church St. Streetscape- Landscaping- Church betwen Main and I190
City Centre Ramp Expansion- Chippewa/Pearl
ECC Classroom Building, Oak Street- Great Lakes Bldg. by bus station
ECC Dorms, Oak Street- Great Lakes Bldg.Parking lot (N. Division)
ECC Parking Ramp/Transit Center- between bus station and ECC City

Residential
Birzon Building (10 Units)- 686 Main Street (at light rail tunnel entrance)
Brownstone Condos (3-6 Units)- 504 Washington
Buehl Block Bldg. Reno (5 Units)- Broadway/Ellicott across from Library
Cobblestone Lofts (36 Units)- Mississippi Street at Perry Street
ECC Lofts- Ellicott Street (16 Units)- lot between bus station and Library- Ellicott Street
Greystone Hotel (34 Units)- S. Johnson Park near Delaware
Immaculate Conception Reno. (unknown)- Edward/S. Elmwood
Packard Bldg. (40 Units)- Main Street north of ArtSpace
Saturn Rings Bldg. (25 Units)- Pearl Street near Tupper
Spa Lofts (3 units)- 11 W. Genesee
Vernor Site (approx. 100 units)- 700 block of Main across from Sidway
WarehouseLofts (Seneca Paper (30 Units))- 210 Ellicott
Waterfront Village- Ellicott Dev. (63 Units)- vacant lot next to Admirals Walk condos
Webb Building (32 Units)- Pearl Street near Swan
YWCA North St- Sr. Apts. (65 Units)- North Street near Elmwood

buffaLOVE

Nov 11, 2006, 9:10 PM

Just woundering about gates circle, bass pro, and if there are any updates on the city tower.

Halovet

Nov 12, 2006, 2:40 AM

Just woundering about gates circle, bass pro, and if there are any updates on the city tower.
Just a guess, but I'd say it's a little to soon. City Tower was just anounced a few weeks back. Give that time to develope. I think we're still waiting on a Gates Circle rendering. That may come soon, but also perhaps after the first of the year.

homestar

Nov 12, 2006, 8:52 PM

Roanoke Bldg. Expansion- S. Elmwood @ Chippewa
Which building is this? I'm guessing on the west side of elmwood?

The court st lighting is slowly being completed. I don't know why it's taking so long, but there are some lights up now, although not turned on yet. They took out the old ones over the summer... but it doesn't seem like a project that should take 6 months to complete!

westcoastperspective

Nov 12, 2006, 9:41 PM

Which building is this? I'm guessing on the west side of elmwood?

The court st lighting is slowly being completed. I don't know why it's taking so long, but there are some lights up now, although not turned on yet. They took out the old ones over the summer... but it doesn't seem like a project that should take 6 months to complete!

Yes, southwest corner. Aids Community Services bought the bldg. and they are expanding it to the rear.

westcoastperspective

Nov 14, 2006, 8:54 PM

Thanks to TheStip for passing this along:

Krog only bidder for downtown site

Business First of Buffalo

A vacant downtown Buffalo parcel is being eyed by a prominent local developer as the site for a new, multi-tenant, Class A office building.

The Krog Corp. is the apparent winning bidder for a pie-shaped parcel along Church Street that cuts behind the Adam's Mark Hotel and just opposite the new headquarters for HealthNow New York Inc. Krog was the sole bidder during an RFP process the Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency conducted this summer.

The Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency is expected to name Krog designated developer at its meeting on Thursday morning, although because of a scheduling conflict, Peter Krog said he may ask the city for a two-week extension.

Krog, one of the region's most active developers, is proposing to construct between a four-story and six-story building that will have anywhere from 78,000-square-feet to 133,000-square-feet, depending on the tenant roster.

The project is expected to cost between $11 million and $17 million to complete, depending on its size and tenant roster, Krog said.

Krog confirmed he is negotiating with a local law firm that is seeking as much as 50,000 square feet in the building with the potential for future expansion.

Krog said he is also negotiating with a major engineering firm, who is considering opening a 30,000-square-foot office.

Krog declined to identify the firms.

chevy064

Nov 14, 2006, 9:41 PM

Is there any reason why developers in Buffalo are afraid of height?

4-6 story buildings going up all over the place.

homestar

Nov 15, 2006, 1:32 AM

Is there any reason why developers in Buffalo are afraid of height?

4-6 story buildings going up all over the place.
Agreed. Nothing downtown should be less than 8-10 floors at a minimum! Wishful thinking around here.

But that goes to show how much things have improved. Before we were desperate to get all these vacant lots developed. Now they're finally getting proposals and we can nitpik about height.
:D

westcoastperspective

Nov 15, 2006, 2:16 AM

This is really a fringe location- I'm surprised anyone would want this lot actually. If there's going to be a large office building- closer to Main Street would be ideal- so this Krog project I could live with. Still makes you wonder if Paladino has any pre-leasing for 50 Court. :shrug:

Halovet

Nov 15, 2006, 12:05 PM

Downtown Bolivar

Nov 15, 2006, 2:25 PM

To me I would rather have density than height at this point. There are still too many bare spots downtown right now. I have a conference every year at the Adams Mark and the one thing that always strikes me is how isolated it feels from the rest of downtown despite it only being about a 5-10 minute walk to the Pearl Street Brewpub and not too much further to the waterfront. Are there any ideas out there for making walking under the 190 a better vibe for pedestrians? Anyway my point is that by developing this parking lot--even if it's only 4 stories, provides a connection bridge between areas of Buffalo's downtown for pedestrians.

BANKofMANHATTAN

Nov 15, 2006, 4:45 PM

I don't necessarily think everything has to be close to Main St. I also would like to see some density (at different heights, would be nice too - not 20 5-6 story buildings). I wish they'knock down that stupid Adam's Mark monstrosity and use that whole area for something new & interesting.

I definitely want to see some height, but we have to have people and businesses interested enough to start a "buzz". We're not Dubai by any means, so i think we'll have to earn our height and take it when we can.

I guess it's kind of pre-infilling: taking care of some perimeter lots and unused
spaces suitable for businesses w/ smaller capacities & needs...then hopefully we can get some larger buildings when they are called for.

I hate waiting, myself, but i think that's what Buffalo may have to do more or less. We're lucky there are businesses showing interest at this point. I think Buffalo deserves a chance to re-build itself via renovating, new construction, landscaping/terraforming, and making use of that huge friggin body of water in front of it.

:yes:

westcoastperspective

Nov 16, 2006, 12:18 AM

Work started on "The Warehouse Lofts @ 210 Ellicott Street." The $7.5 million project will transform the former Seneca Paper warehouse, located between Eagle and Clinton streets, into 30 upscale loft apartments.

http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/9414/seneca1kk0.jpg

Plans call six units per floor on floors three through seven encompassing 20 two-bedroom and 10 one- bedroom units. Apartment sizes range from 1,080 to 1,525 sq.ft. and will be priced from $1,160/month plus gas and electric. Every unit will have a walk-in laundry room, substantial closet space, a large soaking tub, fully equipped stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors, exposed structural concrete loft ceilings, fireplaces, solid-surface counter tops and maple cabinets. Two bedroom units will have two full bathrooms. There will be a total of 60 gated parking spaces, 15 of which will be covered. 8,000 sq.ft. of office space will be available on the second floor.

:cheers1:

dland

Nov 16, 2006, 2:09 AM

^Awesome! I hope this is even more motivation for the owners of the Lafayette Hotel.

westcoastperspective

Nov 16, 2006, 3:18 PM

Roger Trettel and an unknown other developer are under contract to buy the Genesee Block. Roger renovated the Buehl Bldg. at Broadway and Ellicott across from the library. He's taking the Charlie Baker Bldg- it is the one with the two-story 'atrium' at the top.

http://www.buffalorising.com/city/archives/2006/11/potential_genesee_block_d.php

Downtown Bolivar

Nov 16, 2006, 5:09 PM

Good Stuff--There's a lot of activity on Genesee or near Genesee--I would definitely like to see this street take off. It's a gateway and should look good for people coming from the airport to downtown on the 33.

mrussell83

Nov 16, 2006, 6:00 PM

Started another Buffalo Photo thread: http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=120158

These pics will be used for a new website, announcement coming soon :daz:

buffaLOVE

Nov 16, 2006, 6:51 PM

Are there any renderings of what the loft project will look like after it is done?

mrussell83

Nov 16, 2006, 11:56 PM

Great news!

Art center foes fail to bar museum project
By MATT GRYTA
News Staff Reporter
11/15/2006

Opponents of the new Burchfield-Penney Art Center failed Monday in their attempt to halt work on the new museum, on the grounds of the historic H.H. Richardson Complex.
State Supreme Court Justice Patrick H. NeMoyer refused a request by Campaign for Buffalo History, Architecture & Culture for a temporary restraining order that would have halted work on Buffalo State College's $32 million museum. Construction began in September.

Following a two-hour hearing, NeMoyer ruled against the organization's efforts to halt construction under provisions of state environmental law.

State attorneys argued that the college had taken the required "hard look" under state environmental law before declaring the project not harmful.

The museum is being built at Elmwood Avenue and Rockwell Road, across from Albright-Knox Art Gallery. It is targeted to open in 2008.

westcoastperspective

Nov 17, 2006, 3:53 AM

R.I.P

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/8569/elmwoodhotelmarch2006du3.jpg

:tantrum:

mrussell83

Nov 17, 2006, 4:12 AM

b u m m e r
I really wanted to see this one happen.

sullymon54

Nov 17, 2006, 5:05 AM

wait it's officially done?

chevy064

Nov 17, 2006, 2:38 PM

So all those people that fought it are happier with a block of run down houses - rather than this nice new cornerstone of development?

:shrug: I will never understand some people.....

Rue B

Nov 17, 2006, 3:59 PM

So all those people that fought it are happier with a block of run down houses - rather than this nice new cornerstone of development?

:shrug: I will never understand some people.....

"All those people" are like what?... 2 dozen NIMBY's at the most, who beat this project into submission with legal challenges they took up just to stall and frustrate the developer even if their chance of getting the courts to stop the project was small. Uniland might as well cancel their Park Lane condo tower right now as well, since the non-supporters of that project have already got petitions and threatened lawsuits before any renderings for that building have even been released. The stupid people win again. :hell: :koko: