BUFFALO | New Tallest Building | 615 FT / 187 M | 40 FLOORS

[STERNyc]

This development has been discussed in the Buffalo Development Thread, but seeing as this is one of the tallest if not the tallest buildings to ever be proposed in the city, I think it deserves its own thread.

Buffalo News:

Tallest city building proposed

By SHARON LINSTEDT
10/25/2006


The British developer who recently bought the faded Statler Towers wants to construct what would be Buffalo's tallest, most expensive building.

Bashar Issa, of Manchester, England, confirmed Tuesday he wants to build a 40-story, 1.2-million-square-foot skyscraper at the corner of South Elmwood Avenue and West Mohawk Street, one block north of City Hall.

At 600 feet tall, the $361 million, ultra-contemporary glass and steel office, hotel and condo tower would eclipse the HSBC Center in height by 33 feet and would rank among the tallest buildings between New York City and Chicago.

"It will give new hope to Buffalo. It will be a symbol of rebirth for those who live and work here and to those outside the region that this is a city on the rise," Issa said.

The developer, who has just embarked on an $80 million makeover of the historic Statler building, said he's not banking on any public funds for the most expensive building ever proposed for Buffalo.

"We plan to privately finance it. I believe projects should work without public money, and if it comes, that's a bonus," Issa said.

While Buffalo has a long history of dramatic development projects that have never seen the light of day, those connected with Issa's proposal say he has the resources to get the building constructed.

The building, designed by Grand Island-based Cannon Design, would include 500,000 square feet of office space spread over 20 floors, topped by a 10-story, 300-room luxury hotel. The top 10 floors would house about 80 condominiums priced at $500,000 and up. The tower also incorporates interior parking space for more than 800 vehicles.

Cannon's Harry L. Warren, the project's lead architect, said he drew his inspiration for the translucent tower from winter scenes at Niagara Falls.

"It's evocative of a frozen waterfall. It's crystalline and faceted," Warren said. "Because you'll be able to see through it, it will be light and airy, touching lightly on the landscape."

Another unusual design feature is metal lattice work that will cover three sides of the glass facade, working to deflect glare both outside and inside the building.

"It is rather like a bride's veil. You can see her face, but you also see the diaphanous screen. It's very intriguing," Warren said.

The decidedly contemporary design received positive reviews from a group of local architects who were briefed on the project earlier this week. John Laping, of Kideney Architects, who also serves as chairman of the Buffalo Preservation Board, said Buffalo is the perfect location for the distinctive structure.

"We didn't have anything like the Guaranty Building when it was built. The Darwin Martin house design was a one-of-kind," Laping said. "Those are architectural icons we've learned to love. I don't know why we can't love a beautiful glass tower, too."

The new building, to be located on what is now a surface parking lot, would be built to the rear of the new federal courthouse. That planned 10-story, semi-elliptical building also relies heavily on glass and light in its modernistic design.

At $361 million, the mixed-use tower surpasses the price tag of all other downtown buildings. By comparison, the HSBC Center, built in 1972, sold last year for $85 million and currently is back on the market at $121 million.

Cannon, whose portfolio has buildings across Western New York and around the world, was thrilled to take on Issa's challenge to design a signature skyscraper for downtown Buffalo.

"This is very special for us, professionally and personally. Not only is it the tallest building we've ever done, it's for our own community," Warren said.

Issa said he hopes to start construction by the end of 2008, with the first tenants in place in 2010.

"The starting time will depend on how long it takes to get through the design process and preleasing. We'd like to have it at least 40 percent leased when we begin," he said.

Cannon has signaled interest in moving its headquarters from Grand Island to the new building, which would bring about 200 workers downtown.

George Hamberger, from RealtyUSA, who is representing Issa in his Buffalo projects, said he will be focusing on luring businesses from New York and Toronto to build a tenant base for the signature building.

"I see it as a carrot to bring some new blood to the market. For so long we were robbing from Peter to pay Paul to fill space downtown, but we're now attracting new businesses, and this will aid that cause," Hamberger said.

Mayor Byron W. Brown also sees the proposed tower as a symbol of changing economic times for the city.

"Over the past year, we've seen tremendous investment citywide, and particularly in downtown. These types of proposals reinforce the value and benefit of investing in Buffalo," Brown said, calling the design "bold and exciting."

Issa's project also has captured the interest of competing Buffalo developers, like Amherst's Uniland Development Co., with two nearby projects. "It's encouraging to see out-of-town interest in a project that would further the progress already under way in building a vital downtown core," said Uniland's Michael Montante.

http://www.buffalonews.com/graphics/2006/10/25/actualsize/1025a1issa.jpg

More images from Buffalo Rising:

http://www.buffalorising.com/city/archives/upload/2006/10/issa2.jpg

http://www.buffalorising.com/city/archives/upload/2006/10/issa3.jpg

http://www.buffalorising.com/city/archives/upload/2006/10/issa1.jpg

http://www.buffalorising.com/city/archives/upload/2006/10/issa4.jpg

[CGII]

Wow. That's very classy.

[JACKinBeantown]

I spent an afternoon in the outskirts of Buffalo a few weeks ago (in a town/suburb called Clarence). I liked it. Clarence has a cool leftover-from-the-fifties feel.

[NYguy]

And now Buffalo joins the ranks of cities with new tallests planned...

At 600 feet tall, the $361 million, ultra-contemporary glass and steel office, hotel and condo tower would eclipse the HSBC Center in height by 33 feet and would rank among the tallest buildings between New York City and Chicago.

"It will give new hope to Buffalo. It will be a symbol of rebirth for those who live and work here and to those outside the region that this is a city on the rise," Issa said.

If only everyone felt that way about skyscrapers...


http://www.buffalorising.com/city/archives/upload/2006/10/issa1.jpg

Maybe Trump will come along a put a 700 ft residential in there, and finally the skyline will have a feel to it...

[NYC2ATX]

I'm thrilled to hear of this. Buffalo needs a bit of an image makeover.

[Antares41]

I am cautiously optimistic. Downtown Buffalo certainly needs the boost. The big job is finding tenants. Buffalo is still a tough sell to most companies even with the new impressive airport. Yet! you do get a sense that whether its the waterfront or Main Street corridor there is some re-newed interest in developing DT Buffalo.

[mrussell83]

Here is a link to the Cannon Design PDF

http://mrussell.us/CannonDesign_BSC-City-Tower_press_rev.pdf

Hope you don't mind me uploading it.

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

Great to see you guys finally getting some proposals. And I think this building will be one of those that actually looks better in person then in a diagram.

[mrussell83]

Please right click and "save as"

Press Release MP3:
http://mrussell.us/pressrelease.mp3

Cannon Slide Show:
http://mrussell.us/bcs_present.swf

[realcity]

awesome design. Way to go B-Lo. I'm drawing this, for the diagram.

[BANKofMANHATTAN]

Here's a little comp of some of these future projects together from the Niagara Street viewpoint looking southeast. Sorry for the overcastness. :)


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

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

It's a great design but...........

George Hamberger, from
RealtyUSA, who is representing Issa in his Buffalo projects, said he will be focusing on luring businesses from New York and Toronto to build a tenant base for the signature building.


Good luck with that.

[Pandemonious]

It kind of reminds me of a glassier abstract version of Embarcadero Center in SF. I like it :)

[chevy064]

It's a great design but...........




Good luck with that.

Why do you make that sound like it is not possible? Do you know the cost savings companies can land by locating in Buffalo? Class A office space ata fraction of the cost in a signature tower.

Not everyone will bite - but there is a market.

I read yesterday that 100,000 sq of the 600,000 sq. ft. of available office space is already spoken for.

[buffaLOVE]

If this fills up fast, it would cause some other major developers to take a closer look at Buffalo. Also, I think that the condos will sell very fast as there are not many in the area and non with these great views. If i had the money, i would have been on the phone the second i heard about the project.

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

Why do you make that sound like it is not possible?

Companies aren’t about to up and relocate to another city just to save money on high lease rates. The reason why cities like Toronto and New York attract and keep business has a lot to do with the talent pools they have not to mention it’s good to be next door to your competition. If a company was to move from New York or Toronto it would have to relocate all its employees if possible. Not to mention those moving from Toronto would have the added hassle of immigration procedures. So unless they are suggesting companies are just going shut up shop in Toronto and re-hire an all American staff just so they can be in a landmark building in Buffalo, I can’t see it happening. Buffalo itself suffers from a serious Brain Drain problem http://http://www.regional-institute so the only way a company would be able to fill the positions would be to woo people to the city. The developer is going to need to target home grown companies because trying to make Buffalo look like an attractive lifestyle to someone living in a much larger, vibrant, and multi-cultural city such as New York or Toronto is going to be next to impossible.


I hope they do get this tower, I just don't agree that a nice building is reason enough to shuffle off to Buffalo.

[Sulley]

I agree completely.

[Downtown Bolivar]

It's a great design but...........




Good luck with that.

The fact is that Buffalo developers would do well to look outside of the area for tenants. For too long local developers have focused on businesses around Erie County. Buffalo deserves a fresh look--it's right on the border, an hour and a half from Canada's largest and richest business center, and midway between Chicago and NYC. It has a great airport as well as excellent freight rail connections. It also has excellent interstate connections, low commute times, light rail, inexpensive costs, etc. Why this isn't promoted more is beyond me but Bashar Issa is bringing some fresh air to a city that too often is too parochial for its own good.

On another note, according to Buffalo Snooze columnist Don Esmonde, Bashar means "bringer of good news" in Arabic. I though that was a pretty cool aside.

[Downtown Bolivar]

I agree completely.

What a surprise-Mr. Negative chimes in to take a crap on things!

[chevy064]

Companies aren’t about to up and relocate to another city just to save money on high lease rates. The reason why cities like Toronto and New York attract and keep business has a lot to do with the talent pools they have not to mention it’s good to be next door to your competition. If a company was to move from New York or Toronto it would have to relocate all its employees if possible. Not to mention those moving from Toronto would have the added hassle of immigration procedures. So unless they are suggesting companies are just going shut up shop in Toronto and re-hire an all American staff just so they can be in a landmark building in Buffalo, I can’t see it happening. Buffalo itself suffers from a serious Brain Drain problem http://http://www.regional-institute so the only way a company would be able to fill the positions would be to woo people to the city. The developer is going to need to target home grown companies because trying to make Buffalo look like an attractive lifestyle to someone living in a much larger, vibrant, and multi-cultural city such as New York or Toronto is going to be next to impossible.


I hope they do get this tower, I just don't agree that a nice building is reason enough to shuffle off to Buffalo.

I see your point - but I don't think that it is meant that some huge NYC conglomerate is gonna move to the Buff. I am thinking what they are trying to do is lure some back office work from major corporations - like CitiBank(example) and other major companies data centers, call centers...you know stuff like that.

You may be able to entice an upstart company or 2 to relocate - but I would imagine the focus is on branch offices.

Imagine the convenience to some of these execs to be able to live in a condo 20 floors above where they work and to have a world class hotel in the same building in which clients can stay when visiting.

[YOWflier]

Companies aren’t about to up and relocate to another city just to save money on high lease rates. The reason why cities like Toronto and New York attract and keep business has a lot to do with the talent pools they have not to mention it’s good to be next door to your competition. If a company was to move from New York or Toronto it would have to relocate all its employees if possible. Not to mention those moving from Toronto would have the added hassle of immigration procedures. So unless they are suggesting companies are just going shut up shop in Toronto and re-hire an all American staff just so they can be in a landmark building in Buffalo, I can’t see it happening. Buffalo itself suffers from a serious Brain Drain problem http://http://www.regional-institute so the only way a company would be able to fill the positions would be to woo people to the city. The developer is going to need to target home grown companies because trying to make Buffalo look like an attractive lifestyle to someone living in a much larger, vibrant, and multi-cultural city such as New York or Toronto is going to be next to impossible.


I hope they do get this tower, I just don't agree that a nice building is reason enough to shuffle off to Buffalo.
You obviously don't remember the Rae Days. He didn't get the name "Buffalo Bob" for no good reason.

Never say never.

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

Downtown Bolivar, I agree with everything you say but I think Buffalo has slid too far of the face of the corporate world. It needs to think long term. What can be done to encourage Buffalo’s youth to stay and help build a better city. Band-aid solutions like Casino’s and fancy mixed use towers aren’t going to make people want to move to or back to the region. I’m sure most people would rather spend a few hours a day in traffic and live in a city that is alive. Also, how many international flights does the Buffalo airport get? Both NYC and Toronto have airports with direct flights to all the world’s major markets. Toronto has 1 (great) major airport and two regional airports.


http://static.flickr.com/10/13016500_860dc14252.jpg?v=0

[chevy064]

Downtown Bolivar, I agree with everything you say but I think Buffalo has slid too far of the face of the corporate world. It needs to think long term. What can be done to encourage Buffalo’s youth to stay and help build a better city. Band-aid solutions like Casino’s and fancy mixed use towers aren’t going to make people want to move to or back to the region. I’m sure most people would rather spend a few hours a day in traffic and live in a city that is alive. Also, how many international flights does the Buffalo airport get? Both NYC and Toronto have airports with direct flights to all the world’s major markets. Toronto has 1 (great) major airport and to regional airports.

http://static.flickr.com/67/213498152_2f38ec862c_o.jpg
http://static.flickr.com/10/13016500_860dc14252.jpg?v=0

Whistler....

Let me ask - was Toronto always the city that it is today? It was a lesser city at one time - and one project led to another and another - and it has grown into a world class city, surpassing Montreal as Canada's most vibrant center.

I am not saying Buffalo will ever reach Toronto's status - but as an example, Buffalo can be more than it is today. With all the infill projects goin on downtown, residential conversions, federal courthouse, Dulski building renovation, Health Now, Bass Pro, the waterfront proposal, casino, New Era headquarters....etc.......and now the Issa tower - things are looking up for the Buff!

Give Buffalo a chance. The new airport has been picking up new carriers and flights steadily since it opened. The more comapnies and buisiness that is in Buffalo will increase that number even more as demand increases.

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

Whistler....

Let me ask - was Toronto always the city that it is today? It was a lesser city at one time - and one project led to another and another - and it has grown into a world class city, surpassing Montreal as Canada's most vibrant center.


-Actually it was one major shift caused by fears of seperation in Quebec.
-Bass Pro is not a good thing nor is a casino
-Buffalo can and should be more than it is today
-I hope this tower does happen

[Dale]

100,000 out of 600,000 already spoken for, and the developer is aiming for 40%. Sounds eminently doable.

[Fabb]

Another unusual design feature is metal lattice work that will cover three sides of the glass facade, working to deflect glare both outside and inside the building.

"It is rather like a bride's veil. You can see her face, but you also see the diaphanous screen. It's very intriguing," Warren said.


We're not talking about a skin à la NY Times, are we ?
Because, plenty of people would be pissed.

No me, though.

[buffaLOVE]

Does anyone know who are in the 100,000.

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

Maybe the hotel?

[canucklehead2]

What happened to the proposal for a waterfront Convention Centre with a sail-like skyscraper? To me that would have done wonders for the city!

[Rue B]

Is this building, tentatively known as the Buffalo City Tower going to have a small antenna/spire on top of it? All of the news reports I've seen for this building have the height listed at 600' not 615' as the thread title suggests.

[Sgt. Sabre]

Maybe the hotel?
The 100k is out of the 600k in offices (roughly lower 1/3 of the tower, the fattest part hence 50% floor space), total building is 1.2 or 1.3 million I believe. I am slightly curious to know about the hotel, however, and if the hotel (approx. 25%) counts towards the 40% or if that's just offices. Otherwise, they've already claimed 20% in the initial press conference (?), then the hotel would seem to instantly vault it over the top irrespective of condos. I personally see the condos as the biggest sticking point, sure the loft conversions are being eaten up faster than they can be made available, but is there a market for $500k condos? Maybe there is, but I'm not sure.

As for height, I've seen 593, 600, and 615 feet. The official BSC press release *.pdf (with diagram) says 615, so I'd tend to want to believe that is the correct number, seeing as it has come directly from the source.

I think it's a great idea to market the tower outside the region, Lord only knows the local government isn't doing jack squat (though at least the beds tax money has been re-released, that's good too). I can see appeal for some NYC businesses with respect towards expansion to the Toronto market whilst remaining in the US; thusly for any Toronto entities with a desire for a stepping stone to break into the US market. Don't forget, 'brain drain' notwithstanding, the Buffalo-Niagara region generally still earns high marks in the department of having a skilled and loyal workforce; in most mentions I've heard anyways. Plus several more places are suffering brain drains than they'd like to let on.

Add to that our airports (yes, plural - Niagara Falls Int'l is a massive asset just to have), while underutilized at the moment are ripe for service expansion (which is already happening anyways). Just because they're not hubs now doesn't mean they can't be in the future, though geographically speaking I think Buffalo makes a better rail hub than an airline hub, it's too close to Toronto and it's out of the way for intra-US flights.

It's gotta start somewhere sometime, might just as well be here and now.

Finally, I'm getting sick of hearing about the casino as if it's a project the city wants. Read up and you'll find it was foisted upon the region in a backdoor Albany agreement with no local input (the only way things get done in NYS). Things would be different if it was actually brought to a vote in the first place.

[buffaLOVE]

The condos could sell very fast(similar price of the gates circle and waterfront and get the best of both). These condos have the best view, location, and who would not want to live in the signature tower of a city( they get both the view of the lake and the land). If i was done with college i would take one in a second. I just hope that this happens soon and by the time i am out of school they are building more towers with condos so i can move in.(Also remember that UB is expanding and that could bring in many more Companys as UB is one of the best school in the nation) I do not go to school in Buffalo but i will be moveing back no matter how long it takes me to get a job. If you are not from buffalo you do not know how much the people from this city love the place, and when i hear about this great project i feel a great sence of pride and love for my "great" city. I just hope people can see what I see in the city, and Issa seems like someone who does. This could give me a change to be able to raise my family in buffalo, which i would do anything to have happen. I just wish Issa the best of luck and i hope that Buffalo get everthing it should get.

[STERNyc]

Is this building, tentatively known as the Buffalo City Tower going to have a small antenna/spire on top of it? All of the news reports I've seen for this building have the height listed at 600' not 615' as the thread title suggests.

As Sgt. Sabre already replied, 615 feet is the figure given in the pdf of the latest released elevation. It is my guess that the buildings heighest occupied ceiling is at 600 feet and the building tops out at 615 feet.

[canucklehead2]

Does anyone from Buffalo have the rendering of the Inner Harbour Waterfront Conference Centre Skyscraper? What ever happened to that plan? Anyone know what I am talking about?

[JManc]

this is fantastic news but with any good news dealng with upstate NY, i am keeping my fingers crossed.

[Halovet]

Why do you make that sound like it is not possible? Do you know the cost savings companies can land by locating in Buffalo? Class A office space ata fraction of the cost in a signature tower.

Not everyone will bite - but there is a market.

I read yesterday that 100,000 sq of the 600,000 sq. ft. of available office space is already spoken for.You took the words right out of my mouth chevyo64. Hey, there is no bigger B-lo pessimist than me. I go all the way back to The Mayor Cowall Days in the 50s, and remember broken promisses from when most of you were not even born. I had said that I would take a wait and see approuch to this until I saw a rendering. Now that I have, IM SO EXCITED I COULD SCREAM!:upload_71700: Somehow, something inside me tells me this is ment to be. I can just feel it. I haven't felt this way sense Marine Midland Tower's rendering in what? 1968?
Every developer wants 40% sales before building, thats nothing new, and this project will generate so much excitment, that will go fairly quickly. Issa wanted to find a market he could pretty much stand out in, and Buffalo is perfect. Now, I got to see how Dulski is going to look. :banana:

[Halovet]

100,000 out of 600,000 already spoken for, and the developer is aiming for 40%. Sounds eminently doable.A lot more than doable. Sounds like it's dam near done, when you consider the marketing to reach that 40% is going to go on for at least a year. Besides, Im sure The Gov, Hillary, and Chuck Shumer will be doing they're best to bring the business community on board especially in New York State. Nobody has even mentioned that yet. A few offices branch out from Albany and "the City", and there you go. Hey, somebody is filling those new towers in Yonkers and New Roshell. Relocation from Gothem is moving at a steady pace. You will find that NYS politicians have played a big part in these things if you do your home work. Im sure Issa is a bright guy. He didn't become a Billionaire by not doing his homework. In fact, Im willing to bet, he wanted to build a taller tower, then scalled it down after doing research . He already knows he's going to fill the tower. Wait and see.:yes:

[Halovet]

Does anyone from Buffalo have the rendering of the Inner Harbour Waterfront Conference Centre Skyscraper? What ever happened to that plan? Anyone know what I am talking about?Yes, but I dont think anybody wants to talk about it anymore, not with all this great news. If it's the one I think, lets just say those crooks are in jail, and leave it at that.:goodnight:

[Wheelingman04]

That tower looks awesome in the renderings. I really hope it happens. No city in the country deserves it more than Buffalo. I hope this can start a residential and business boom downtown.

[Sgt. Sabre]

Here's a little comp of some of these future projects together from the Niagara Street viewpoint looking southeast. Sorry for the overcastness. :)


http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/5983/bufnewsm06rt8.jpg
Actually, I think the clouds add some good character to the picture. Maybe because it's nice to see a rendering without a bright blue sky for once!

Though did you notice the traffic light just above the green "I-190 Thruway/Next Right" sign, how the Federal Courthouse is in front of the leftmost signal head? hmmmm :???: Nice to see that gas prices will be fairly stable over the next 4 years as well. :) I thought when you did renderings you had to be careful of these things...

[buffaLOVE]

Does anyone know about the funding for the Courthouse?

[Downtown Bolivar]

Funding for the courthouse should be in place for a 2008 construction start. It has been approved in the Senate, but is still awaiting approval in the House as far as I know. The 100,000 sq ft of space already spoken for in the BSC tower may be Cannon Design who would move their offices from Grand Island. They have expressed interest in it (and they are also the architects).

[Rue B]

Here's what the site of the proposed Buffalo City Tower looks like today. The Statler Tower building in the right background is being turned into condos by the same developer
http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/5395/dscf0975bi1.jpg
The short granite building to the right of the billboards is undergoing a conversion as we speak in the New Era Cap HQs. The tall white building is turning into mixed use office/condos and will be reskinned with a glass facade
http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/4051/dscf0994km3.jpg
http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/7662/dscf1003lf5.jpg
http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/7797/dscf1007of0.jpg

[Derek]

new era is in buffalo!?

[buffaLOVE]

Funding for the courthouse should be in place for a 2008 construction start.

So the two project could go up at the same time, that could be a very exciting time. Looking foward to the next several years!!

[Sgt. Sabre]

Here's what the site of the proposed Buffalo City Tower looks like today.
They really need to do something about those billboards, it really cheapens the whole area. Of course it doesn't look 1/100th as bad as the rides along NY5 or I-190.

Otherwise, I'd say those two blocks may very well change completely in just a few years' space. Not bad, not bad at all.

[Halovet]

new era is in buffalo!?Yes, The HQ has always been here. they moved some jobs to Alabama about 10 years ago, but the bulk of the operation is in West Seneca, soon to relocate to the afor mentioned site.:tup:

[Sgt. Sabre]

West Seneca? I thought they were predominantly in Derby?

[Halovet]

West Seneca? I thought they were predominantly in Derby?Burbs anyway. What can I say, Im an old timer.:)

[BANKofMANHATTAN]

Actually, I think the clouds add some good character to the picture. Maybe because it's nice to see a rendering without a bright blue sky for once!

Though did you notice the traffic light just above the green "I-190 Thruway/Next Right" sign, how the Federal Courthouse is in front of the leftmost signal head? hmmmm :???: Nice to see that gas prices will be fairly stable over the next 4 years as well. :) I thought when you did renderings you had to be careful of these things...


I did this all in photoshop, it's not part of the company's 3D renderings. I caught the first light post in the foreground but missed the one you pointed out. I'll have to fix it sometime...

good eyes! :haha:

[Sgt. Sabre]

Ahh, I didn't know it wasn't official. Though I suppose the Dulski renovation being on there should have tipped me off. The Courthouse, they've shown that on everything else so naturally I expected it.

That being said, you seem to have rendered the new building better (in terms of rotation) than Cannon has done in theirs'. How did you manage that?

Good job though.

[BuffaloBill]

If this building ends up at 615 feet tall, it would be 86 feet taller than the HSBC Tower. For some reason news feeds have said 33 feet.

[Calgarian]

Nice Building, the massing kind of reminds me of 2 projects in Calgary right now.

[buffaLOVE]

Do you think that they will give updates when they get to a certain % of the building called for?

[Halovet]

I did this all in photoshop, it's not part of the company's 3D renderings. I caught the first light post in the foreground but missed the one you pointed out. I'll have to fix it sometime...

good eyes! :haha:
Im dieing to see what it may look like at night. Anyone have ideals how the building might be illuminated at night? Some of the fine experts we are blessed to have on this thread?!:hmmm:

[BANKofMANHATTAN]

Im dieing to see what it may look like at night. Anyone have ideals how the building might be illuminated at night? Some of the fine experts we are blessed to have on this thread?!:hmmm:

Perhaps i could snap some night shots and see what i can do. :)

[Witty Nickname]

http://www.buffalonews.com/graphics/2006/10/25/actualsize/1025a1issa.jpg

http://www.buffalorising.com/city/archives/upload/2006/10/issa2.jpg

http://www.buffalorising.com/city/archives/upload/2006/10/issa4.jpg

It's kinda similar to the Penny Lane project in Calgary

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/joshwhit/development/pennylanetowers2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/joshwhit/development/pennylanetowers.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/joshwhit/development/pennylane1.jpg

[STERNyc]

Also Renaissance Plaza in White Plains.

http://www.cappelli-inc.com/developments/images/rensquare3.jpg

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2006/01/08/realestate/08wczo.jpg

http://www.sotawall.com/proj_detail/USA_221M_01_lg.jpg

[Halovet]

Similar indeed., but isn't The Renaissance Plaza a good deal shorter that The Buffalo Proposal?

[STERNyc]

Similar indeed., but isn't The Renaissance Plaza a good deal shorter that The Buffalo Proposal?

Its a little more than 100 feet shorter. As it should be. Its sad that a city with only 50,000 people is benefitting from development on a massive scale while the second largest city in the state of New York has just about been forgotten. On a positive note, once the first large-scale development in many years and at a previously unseen scale was completed in White Plains (City Center) development skyrocketed with numerous amounts of skyscrapers planned and underconstruction, even Trump got in the act.

[Halovet]

Its a little more than 100 feet shorter. As it should be. Its sad that a city with only 50,000 people is benefitting from development on a massive scale while the second largest city in the state of New York has just about been forgotten. On a positive note, once the first large-scale development in many years and at a previously unseen scale was completed in White Plains (City Center) development skyrocketed with numerous amounts of skyscrapers planned and underconstruction, even Trump got in the act.


and it all probably started for White Plains and New Rochelle by young urban developers with vision much like Issa who wanted to brake out of the NYC confines. Just as Issa said in his press conference, he wondered what New York's 2nd city was like. Expect others to become curious and check out WNY as well in the near future. Hey, who says Hamburger wont pull Trump's coat tail himself. All it takes is some initiativeand a blank check book. From the sound of things, all the pieces are in place to see the office tower boom go state wide, and I think, that's exactly what's about to happen.:yes:

[Halovet]

anybody (besides me) think Palidino's been...like...real quite!

[Sulley]

Buffalo needs to get rid of those disco era street lights if we get this thing. They're so unfabulous!

[neilioo]

Great news for Buffalo, i feel this building would have a much better chance of getting built if they trimmed it down abit though, keep the same height but give it a smaller floor plate, it seems to bulky. Anyway, Buffalo deserves this. Good luck!

[Halovet]

Buffalo needs to get rid of those disco era street lights if we get this thing. They're so unfabulous!Buffalo was the first city with Street lights. Those lights hold heavy significance. Also, dont hate on the Disco Era. Those were great times.
http://www.mobango.com/view/displayimage.php?fileid=aHzUhtzL6aw=&ext=gif&width=280&height=215

[Sulley]

I think everyone in Buffalo would agree with that ;)

[canucklehead2]

I hate to ask again, but what happened with the Inner Harbour skyscraper and the developers being crooks? I totally missed all of that... ANyone have the rendering btw?

[Downtown Bolivar]

^^^All that information w/ renderings is available in the old Buffalo projects thread.

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

It's kinda similar to the Penny Lane project in Calgary


You better hope not, that's some bad 1990 style hack architecture.

[Halovet]

I hate to ask again, but what happened with the Inner Harbour skyscraper and the developers being crooks? I totally missed all of that... ANyone have the rendering btw?


Oh Alright Dammit! I hope you know you're probably Jinxing the new project.:gaah:

The Rigas Family, Heads of Adelphia Corp and former NHL Buffalo Sabres owners drove The company, and The Sabres into Bankroptcy with shitty inside trader deals. They are all in Jail, and needless to say, the project went in the toilet also. Now if The Sabres start losing, Im coming for you.:twoguns:

Adelphia Tower

Statis: Never Built

architect: Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum

Facts: The Adelphia building was planned for the Webster Block across from the HSBC Arena at Washington and Scott streets.
The project size and scope was altered several times (40 floors, 38 floors, 22 floors, and finally 15 floors).

http://www.emporis.com/files/transfer/6/2004/08/288812.jpg

[Sgt. Sabre]

<see below>

[Sgt. Sabre]

Disco sucks. I detest the BeeGees.

And the streetlights do need to go. But at least we've gotten rid of them on the Skyway, 33, and one side of the road on lower Elmwood/Terrace.

[Halovet]

Disco sucks. I detest the BeeGees.

And the streetlights do need to go. But at least we've gotten rid of them on the Skyway, 33, and one side of the road on lower Elmwood/Terrace.Oh stop your dam whining. You probably arn't old enough to remember much anyway. As for the lights, if they have changed some of them, it only stands to reason they will continue that course of action at some point. Might be a good ideal to move any additional "Disco" discussion to the Discussion forum. Otherwise, drop it.:offtopic:

[BANKofMANHATTAN]

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

[Halovet]

I can only imagine what the new tower would look like from here. Chevy064 took this pic. Isn't it grand?:tup:
http://img435.imageshack.us/img435/5595/skyline339gr.jpg

[BANKofMANHATTAN]

I can only imagine what the new tower would look like from here. Chevy064 took this pic. Isn't it grand?:tup:



I may have to try it out, also, the night shot would be nice too! :)

[Halovet]

BANKofMANHATTEN you've outdone yourself again!

[Halovet]

BANKofMANHATTEN you've outdone yourself again!

[BANKofMANHATTAN]

:cheers:

For Halovet:

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

[StevenW]

This is AWESOME news! :yes:
Buffalo deserves this. :)
It's a great looking building, IMO. :yes:

:)

[chevy064]

I can only imagine what the new tower would look like from here. Chevy064 took this pic. Isn't it grand?:tup:
http://img435.imageshack.us/img435/5595/skyline339gr.jpg

Just for the record - i didn't take the picture. i found it online. It is my favorite view of Buffalo!

I just don't want credit being taken from someone else!

:tup:

[wanderer34]

Tis about time Buffalo gets a new building. Good looking, too!!!

[wanderer34]

Tis about time Buffalo gets a new building. Good looking, too!!!

[Evergrey]

Tis about time Buffalo gets a new building. Good looking, too!!!

Indeed. :cheers:

[Halovet]

Just for the record - i didn't take the picture. i found it online. It is my favorite view of Buffalo!

I just don't want credit being taken from someone else!

:tup:My Bad! Its got to be my favorate as well.:banana:

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

OK, I'm going to model this thing for you guys, the renderings so far are doing it no justice. In fact I think they make it look bad.

[Halovet]

OK, I'm going to model this thing for you guys, the renderings so far are doing it no justice. In fact I think they make it look bad.Well. lets see what you got, but go vote first (:D democrat this time).

[BANKofMANHATTAN]

^^ It wasn't my fault - it was the one-armed Cannon!

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

Well. lets see what you got, but go vote first (:D democrat this time).


Well I'm Canadian so I couldn't vote sorry. If I could though it would be democrat, republican is such a redneck backward party that the rest of the worl hates.

[Halovet]

100,000 out of 600,000 already spoken for, and the developer is aiming for 40%. Sounds eminently doable.They might be even farther along by now. The canvasing for the project is somewhat international. Hey, Is someone Drawing this tower up for the Diagrams section? Anyone requested it yet?:shrug:

[Benhamin]

Wow, this is great news for Buffalo if it happens. I'm surprised I didn't see this thread earlier.

[Halovet]

Wow, this is great news for Buffalo if it happens. I'm surprised I didn't see this thread earlier.Sure it will happen Pal, things are well under way. A great marketing team for a great project. Hard to believe it's happening in B-lo, but it is. A few more residential Highrises, one 20 stories, tons of Lofts being planned or underconstruction downtown, new leadership, yep, things are finally looking up. WAY UP!:dancing:

[gregduh]

This building would look great among the old brick buildings there, and would symbolise that this city has turned a corner. Maybe one day I can afford to live there. Cheektowaga is nice, but I would never turn down an opportunity to have one of those condos. At least I will be able to see it everyday on my commute down the 90 to UB north campus, assuming it is finished by 2010.

[Halovet]

This building would look great among the old brick buildings there, and would symbolise that this city has turned a corner. Maybe one day I can afford to live there. Cheektowaga is nice, but I would never turn down an opportunity to have one of those condos. At least I will be able to see it everyday on my commute down the 90 to UB north campus, assuming it is finished by 2010.Well, they are off to a good start. I'd say 2010 we top things off.:skyscraper: :banana:

[Halovet]

Any new News on this project? Or The Statler Towers renovation?

[BANKofMANHATTAN]

OK, I'm going to model this thing for you guys, the renderings so far are doing it no justice. In fact I think they make it look bad.

Well, where's the rendering? :haha:

[Halovet]

Well I'm Canadian so I couldn't vote sorry. If I could though it would be democrat, republican is such a redneck backward party that the rest of the worl hates.Well, with Sen. Johnson apparently in critical condition, Looks like those RedNecks will be able to make trouble again. :( Anyway, like Bank said, looking forward to that rendering.

[Wheelingman04]

I really hope this gets built.

[buffaLOVE]

Any news about the 40 percent they want to be pre leased before they begin. Any possible hotels or is it to early

[Halovet]

I really hope this gets built.Saw Mayor Brown on CNN's Lou Dobbs Special last week, He said, "Every Proposel on the table MUST become reality, We have no choice". I like the sound of that. I'm thinking THIS project is tops on that list.