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November 13, 2009 12:01 AM
Comments: 21
Ellicott Development is dusting off renovation plans for the vacant Greystone hotel. Reuse proposals for the Greystone at 24 Johnson Park have come and gone in recent years, but according to Ellicott Development CEO Carl Paladino, he is now moving forward with a residential conversion project.
"Greystone schematics are almost done," said Paladino in an email. He said the firm "will go into working drawings in the next 60 days" and then expects to obtain a building permit within 30 days of application to the City. Paladino said the project to take six months to complete.
The future of the Greystone, a designated landmark in the West Village, has been a sore spot for neighborhood residents and many Buffalo Rising readers for years. Opened in 1897, the former Berkeley Hotel was designed by Carlton Strong. The distinctive building is an early example of reinforced concrete construction.
Ellicott Development purchased the property in March 2002 with plans to convert the complex into a market-rate, 30-unit apartment building. Work came to a halt after a worker fell through an upper floor while gutting the building. Ellicott later declared the structure could not be economically renovated.
As the downtown housing market heated up in early 2006, Ellicott revived plans to convert the building into residences albeit with smaller units than earlier planned. A few months later Rocco Termini and Signature Development announced their intentions to buy the property and take on the conversion project. Signature later decided against proceeding with the development and the building's future turned cloudy.
The large hole in the roof (below) has not been repaired since the accident in 2003. While the building has been in and out of housing court in recent years, Paladino insisted that he would renovate the building. It appears as though the Greystone's time is here.
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November 13, 2009 6:42 AM
exciting but we have been here before. I will be excited when there isn't a self induced hole in the roof.
November 13, 2009 7:39 AM
Bullsh*t...everytime Paladino wants to get a new project rolling, he coincides that plan with either plans for the greystone or his freezer queen property...neither have had any work done, nor will they, but some lucky part of the west side will have a new rite-aid or family dollar this time next year.
November 13, 2009 8:44 AM
I think you mean Fairmont Creamery, not Freezer Queen which has been seeing some activity lately as I rent space in the building next door to it. Speaking of which what is up with Frezzer Queen? I see they've rented to Olson Bros Marine. Anyone know?
November 13, 2009 8:07 AM
damn that's a big hole.
I hope this time it moves forward or at least equates to shoring up the structure.
November 13, 2009 8:12 AM
Paladino is not involved with the Freezer Queen property (Queen's City Landing), the developer is Gerald Buchheit
November 13, 2009 8:42 AM
Sorry...I meant the freezer rich building just off the 190, near the Casino site.
November 13, 2009 8:54 AM
Well, here's my take after working to pressure this guy...
.
"Put up or shut up."
.
How many times have we been shown no results?
.
"Put up or shut up."
November 13, 2009 10:36 AM
I'll believe it when I see it. Been through this before.
November 13, 2009 9:21 AM
i've had the pleasure of working with carl before (sarcasm) but we have all seen what he's about just by living in buffalo. he buys properties cheap or gets them from the city (he gives alot of $$ to the politicians) he doesn't develop them until the politicians give him $$ or tax breaks. or, he sells them to an actual developer for more $$ because they have a plan. the greystone will sit long enuff until the political pressure is so big that our government will give him $$.......
why hasn't his @ss been dragged into housing court???? like years ago????? hmmmmm....
November 13, 2009 9:45 AM
Scottwf, this property is in Housing Court and it was mentioned on the news when the case was on but *someone* literally had a gag order placed on the Housing Court Liaison at that time. Cute, huh? Talk about abuse of power/connections. HELLO?!?!?!?!
November 13, 2009 1:08 PM
Brown's admin at its best. Stuff only gets done if you know the right people. I wonder what Steve Casey has to say about this property...
November 13, 2009 2:37 PM
Sean, it wasn't the city admin with the gag order - it was placed by a judge in the State Court system. Just sayin' - it's all who ya know, ya know?
November 14, 2009 8:32 PM
MRodgers... Imagine if you were our, the people's, connection in City Hall? You should offer your name as Ellicot District Council Member.
November 13, 2009 9:23 AM
"Schematics"??? Carl must have his crayon box out.
November 13, 2009 10:18 AM
It would be worth it for the city or some agency to get Paladino some money and stipulate that it go towards replacing the roof before any additional work. It's so doable and worth it to the community to secure this asset. If Carl goes well beyond that and renovates the entire structure, that would be so awesome. I can understand the grumbling about the help he got with the Pasquale, but this is different.
November 13, 2009 10:21 AM
Mr Paladino suffers from property hoarding syndrome, a condition that compels one to acquire all available corner lots, vacant buildings, sites that may one day be in the footprint or proximity of a casino or Empire Zone, or ideal for a Dollar Store, Rite-Aide or Valero gas station.
This malady has no known cure, and seems to be manifested outwardly by bursts of dictatorial beneficence, populist pleadings and a plethora of political candidate donations.
Inwardly, there may be pronounced deafness to community, shrinking of essential body parts, and overwrought sense of self-importance. He may have to come up with a $100 donation to Extreme Home Make-over to finally address these issues.
November 13, 2009 8:45 PM
Roy, I have no idea who you are, but you are Money! I had to read your diagnosis to a friend whose computer had recently crashed. She is still laughing. Good work!
November 13, 2009 10:41 AM
oh and by the way, if no free $ to make the big pay, demo on a Saturday !!
November 13, 2009 7:47 PM
I doubt the interior of the greystone is historic and it doesnt look like the rear or side facades are historic either.
The interior of the walls and the rear and side are all concrete which makes it difficult to redevelop.
Thus, with that much concrete the roof collapsed, the interior is just useless and a waste of money to redevelop.
There is really only one solution for the Graystone that would be a satisfactory compromise to the city, a developer and the preservationists: keep the facade and demolish everything else, then rebuild the interior could even have underground parking in the basement for lucky tenants with this plan.
This works in other cities that have historic buildings that whose interiors are to badly damaged, cost prohibitive or the land is so valuable that it can support a 10+ story building where a historical 1-5 story building exists. Keep the facade, gut the interior historical elements for re-use, rebuild the interior...and if a high rise...put a reasonable setback.
This works everywhere...why must the solution in Buffalo always be...to demolish the whole thing.
November 14, 2009 12:16 AM
One other thing about the Graystone, Palladino should emulate Croce's Boutique Hotel and add a few penthouse suites on the roof...which would be easy to do if he demolished everything except the facade.
December 15, 2009 12:50 PM
donna
my husband and I spent our honeymoon at the greystone hotel in March of 1955. at that time it was a very pleasant place to stay. we enjoyed going to the nightclubs and eateries. I remember there being a place where you could buy freshly made snacks. seem to remember them as being something like a pork rinds. they were really good. only have fond memories of this hotel. hope restoration can be made to this grand old building.