Real Estate November 13, 2009 11:22 PM

Construction Watch: Croce's Boutique Hotel

Buffalonian4life 24

Mark Croce's redevelopment of the vacant Curtiss Building into downtown Buffalo's largest boutique hotel is underway. Interior asbestos removal and gutting is taking place, while a giant hole sits where the beloved Continental once stood. Demolition of the former nightclub was recently completed.

The prominent building on the corner of Huron and Franklin streets will see new life as a 59-room hotel with a day spa, full service three-meal restaurant, and extensive banquet facilites. The redevelopment will use the latest in sustainable design and green technology. A new penthouse level will be added to the building.

A drop-off area is planned where the Continental once stood, topped by two-levels of banquet space.

Interior gutting can be seen in the 204 Franklin Street building:

The $19 million renovation will add to the emerging Huron Street corridor, and will contribute to the mounting effort to make downtown a 24/7 neighborhood.

Updated Photos: Nathan Mroz (Buffalonian4life)

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Comments

24 Comments Leave a comment

STEEL

November 14, 2009 12:04 AM

Really wish they would put the cornice back

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dblplusgood

November 14, 2009 7:44 AM

Your respectful comments and informed observations are really appreciated here. Thanks.

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Mokum

November 14, 2009 10:50 AM

I'm having Déja Vu...

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northbuff

November 14, 2009 9:29 AM

If Croce applies for historic tax credits would he not be required to replicate it? The cost would be a major factor but availability should not because there are more and more companies making terra cotta for the restoration market now a days. I would like to really see the Hertz building incorporated with the Continental gone, half the west side of the building is accessible. Oh well, maybe someday; Croce does own it.

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Christine

November 14, 2009 12:22 AM

Yes...I wonder if they saved the cornice or if they can duplicate it....and speaking of cornices probably the most prominent building in Buffalo missing its cornice is the DUNN!

Looking at the CURTISS BUILDING, one cannot help but mourn the loss of the VICTOR FURNITURE COMPANY for the HYATT and mourn the more recently demolished VERNOR and SCHMIDT Buildings.

Today their white terra cotta would be prized for redevelopment in the Life Sciences district...even if they only saved the facades...they still would have made a valuable contribution to the streetscape than the current weeds or whatever gets built on the shovel ready sites.

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onestarmartin

November 14, 2009 12:52 PM

Get off your behind and actually go to the Hyatt. The Hyatt IS the Victor Furniture Company...intact. The front entrance is the lobby of the hotel. This looks like a pretty cool project here, that corner will be amazing when finished.

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MrGreenJeans

November 14, 2009 1:17 PM

No. Victor's was completely demolished before the hotel was started. Here's a photo of the destruction: http://www.buffaloah.com/a/fountain/hist/source/5.html

I'm old enough to have watched some of it, in person.

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Jonathan

November 16, 2009 12:19 PM

Not even close Christine. The old Victor furniture building was demolished to make way for the Hyatt 25-30 years ago.

I happen to know this, because a good friend of mine who still lives in Buffalo is the Victor Furniture heiress, and I have discussed the old building with her at length, and she has several photographs of the original building in her possession.

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Jonathan

November 16, 2009 12:21 PM

Sorry Christine... that comment should have been directed at onestarmartin.

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Chris

November 16, 2009 1:05 PM

No, the most prominent building in Buffalo missing it's cornice is not the Dunn, it's Ellicott Square. It's my favorite Buffalo building but I cringe so when I see it that I just can't bear to look.

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Christine

November 14, 2009 12:24 AM

Oh one last thing...reminiscent of memories of white terra cotta...the most iconic white Terra Cotta building was art nuveau HOTEL BUFFALO, the first flagship designed by STATLER formerly located right about where the baseball stadium now stands....the model for all modern hotel rooms.

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PaulBuffalo

November 14, 2009 8:05 AM

Applause to Nathan for not being thrifty with the photos on his BRO articles.

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smicha

November 14, 2009 9:29 AM

Where can I find a list off all of the current construction/rehab projects in the downtown area, projects completed in the last year, as well as how much each project cost?

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Buffalonian4life

November 14, 2009 10:37 AM

At the end of each year, BRO puts together a complete list and detailed post of diagrams and renderings to show all of the development in the city within the past year. This takes place around New Years, so expect details then.

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jstraubinger

November 14, 2009 11:01 AM

In the recent past, the City of Buffalo had a projects list available as an excel file on its website. I just tried finding a link to it but was unsuccessful. Here is a link to a website that does have Buffalo projects information on it:

http://projectbuffalo.com/

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Lego1981

November 14, 2009 10:17 AM

Glad to see work finally started on this building. It's been in the talks for a few years now. Can't wait to it when it's finished.

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Larkin[g Lot]

November 14, 2009 11:55 AM

Any pictures of the building when it had the cornice?

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grad94

November 14, 2009 12:04 PM

am i the only person who wonders if all the new hotels will just cannibalize each other? if tourism numbers are that high, why are we still subsidizing the hyatt?

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jstraubinger

November 14, 2009 12:29 PM

Because Paul Snyder has a magical hold over WNY's politicians. However, Chrisine, aka Queen City, aka Lou, will soon be leading an army of bulldozers to destroy the Hyant and its atrium and return Genessee St to its right place as a connector to the Waterfront.

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sonyactivision

November 14, 2009 1:37 PM

For a city its size, Buffalo doesn't have that many hotel rooms. getting more new product downtown will help Buffalo draw more visitors by offering more choices. But until a new Convention center is built, there is little reason for any major hotels.

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nick

November 14, 2009 3:03 PM

With the historic tax credit, you do not have to replicate anything and can keep the exterior of the building in its current condition. The reviewers only have purview over proposed changes. The building has not yet recieved National Park Service approval for the planned rehabiliation.

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onestarmartin

November 14, 2009 5:03 PM

My bad, apologies all around, musta still been in anger mode from Brian Davis.

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