Under Construction
- Architectural firm: Carmina Wood Morris, P.C.
- Developer: Signature Development
- Building Use: Mixed
- Project Type: Rehabilitation
- Floors: 5
- Cost: $11 Million
- Description of Project: The Three connected buildings will be converted into commercial space and 48 loft apartments.
- Developer: Mark Croce
- Building Use: Hotel
- Project Type: Rehabilitation
- Floors: 6 / Varied
- Cost: $19 million
- Est. Completion Date: Late 2010
- Description of Project: From Buffalonews:
He already owns the venerable Curtiss building at 204 and 210 Franklin, and intends to incorporate all four properties into a single project that will preserve the historic terra cotta facade while opening a mod-ern luxury hotel inside.
“What we’re doing is developing plans for a model ultra-chic, high-end hotel inside a historic building,” said the owner of the Buffalo Chop House restaurant, comparing the new project to the high-end, five-star Hazelton Hotel in Toronto. “It’s going to be something that’s very unique to Buffalo.”
The 60,000-square foot project will include a full-service “urban boutique” hotel with about 57 rooms and a three-meal restaurant. Croce said it will also have some retail space and commercial “amenities” tied to the hotel, but will not have commercial space available for general leasing. He declined to elaborate. Croce already controls about 300 parking spaces nearby on Delaware Avenue, “more than enough” to support the hotel project, so the current surface lot will not be used for parking. The Continental property will be used to support the hotel, possibly for drop-off and the entranceway, he said.
Construction started on September 25, 2009, project information has been updated.
- Architectural firm: Jake Schneider
- Developer: Jake Schneider
- Building Use: Residential
- Project Type: Rehabilitation
- Floors: 5
- Cost: $15 Million
- Est. Completion Date: 2010
- Description of Project: The project would turn the six-story, circa-1910 industrial building into a mix of studio, one-and two-bedroom units with room for 287 residents. Monthly rents would range from $500 per resident for apartments accommodating up to four students, while the cost of a one-person studio would be $685 per month
***UPDATE 05/09/09***
Earlier this month, Jake Schneider’s AC Lofts LLC purchased the former Alling & Cory paper storage facility at 136 North Division St. for $1.85 million from AC Eagle LLC. Schneider is leading a group of five other investors who intend to spend $15 million to convert the six-story historic building into residences for nearly 300 students.
The proposal already won approval from the city Planning Board in March, and received $554,000 in tax incentives from the Erie County Industrial Development Agency last month. The group plans to begin interior demolition at the end of this month, and construction in June. R&P Oak Hill is the construction manager.
Schneider is hoping to complete work on the historic red brick and concrete building within 12 months, so it can receive the first student residents by the fall of 2010 — in time for the building’s 100th anniversary.
- Architectural firm: Clinton Brown Company Architecture
- Developer: Ben Obletz
- Building Use: Mixed
- Project Type: Rehabilitation
- Floors: 4
- Description of Project: The Cooperage project is the rehabilitation of the historic former E & B Holmes Machinery Co. barrel-making machinery complex on the Buffalo River waterfront in downtown Buffalo, NY into genuine residential lofts and commercial spaces. The location is on Buffalo's downtown waterfront that is rapidly transforming from industrial to recreation, hospitality, and culture uses.
- Developer: FJF Development LLC
- Building Use: Mixed
- Project Type: New Build
- Floors: 3
- Cost: $3.4 million
- Est. Completion Date: Fall 2009
- Description of Project: “Prime medical/professional office/ commercial retail” complex, with nearly 7,600-square-feet of Class A space available on the second and third floors.
Prime Retail/Commercial/Medical/Professional Office building in heart of Elmwood Village. Planned occupancy December, 2009. Anchored by upscale Toronto-based Coffee Culture Cafe. Owner will build to suit.
Elmwood Village named “Top 10 Great Neighborhood” in America by the American Planning Association for its vibrant mix of world-class residential and institutional architecture, broad spectrum of cultural and social assets, prosperous commercial district of over 200 shops and restaurants, four large colleges and universities and high community standards.
** UPDATE:** 2/17/09
FJF Development LLC has purchased the former KFC for $425,000.
** UPDATE:** 1/20/1010
Construction has started, photos coming soon. (I’m out of town this week)
-Thanks John 
- Architectural firm: Cannon Design
- Developer: Kaleida Health
- Building Use: Other
- Project Type: New Build
- Floors: 10
- Cost: $268 Million
- Est. Completion Date: 2011
- Description of Project: Construction on what’s being called the global vascular institute is expected to start in March, next to Buffalo General Hospital at Goodrich and Ellicott streets. The opening would be in 2011.
The project consists of two related multimillion-dollar pieces, according to details unveiled this week by hospital officials:
Kaleida’s $150 million center to bring together its heart, vascular and neurosurgery services in one location, as well as to provide a new, expanded emergency department, replacing the one at Buffalo General and allowing for the closure and reuse of the hospital system’s Millard Fillmore Hospital at Gates Circle.
UB’s $118 million research facility.
Great news!
Groundbreaking took place on 08/03/2009, changed to “Under Construction”.
- Architectural firm: Benderson Development
- Developer: Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp.
- Building Use: Mixed
- Project Type: New Build
- Floors: Varied - See photos
- Cost: 325 Million
- Est. Completion Date: Market Driven
- Description of Project: Proposes more than 700,000 square feet of new retail, entertainment, residential and office space across more than 20 acres of the downtown waterfront.
- Architectural firm: Flynn Battaglia Architects
- Developer: Genesee Gateway LLC
- Building Use: Office
- Project Type: New Build
- Floors: Varied - See rendering
- Cost: 11 Million
- Description of Project: The game plan is to fill all 18,000 square feet of the first floor with restaurants and retailers. The upper three floors likely will be office space.
On a side note: Eddie Brady’s, the popular downtown bar that sits between the two projects, will remain as is.
- Architectural firm: Kohn Pederson Fox
- Developer: GSA
- Building Use: Other
- Project Type: New Build
- Floors: 10
- Cost: $123.3 million
- Est. Completion Date: 2010
- Description of Project: U.S. District Court with five courtrooms and six chambers, the Magistrates with four courtrooms and chambers, a Court of Appeals chamber, and a satellite library, along with necessary facilities for preparatory space for the U.S. Attorney and Federal Public Defender.
The building will also feature a work by artist Robert Mangold, who was raised in Buffalo. Mangold’s piece will consist of large-scale translucent colored glass panels which will be located in the entry pavilion. It is currently anticipated that this courthouse will achieve a LEED-Silver rating and will provide secure indoor parking for 54 vehicles.
