Rooms for Rent, Space for Lease

This is the perfect picture to showcase both the terrible obstruction that the Atrium and the Convention Center do to our downtown.

I suppose its good news anytime office or retail can be filled but this 3 story building is no great contribution to Huron or Buffalo.

It does however provide yet another opportunity to remind Buffalonians of a higher calling for our city.

Could'nt the owner, FINALLY Re-Do this section to make more sidewalk space available? Especially if and when Main Street is re-vamped for traffic again. Now that space is empty, this would be the perfect time to RE-DO this.

gotta love progress:

http://buffaloah.com/a/fountain/hist/source/6.html

and look, GENESEE STREET!

http://buffaloah.com/a/fountain/hist/source/1.html

I think you mean 1985.

The biggest legacy problem with Buffalo is that it has been way too 'progressive'

I hope something can fill the space but unfortunately the building itself is NOT retail friendly. Even if there was a business in here it would look and feel empty and outdated. Few people will notice. As you can see the facade along Huron is hidden under the overhang making it look dark and permanently closed.

The Main Street side blocks people from getting to the business because of the pit and stairs. While in some places it works you still need strong simple, access to the ground level floor. Think Newbury street in Boston. You can go down to the lower level retail... but you can also just walk straight into the shops like any other street.

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/30134623

Any reason to keep this? Knock it down.

Okay, we all agree that the Hyatt's design was at the cost of some really nice buildings in it's block and Genesee Street. Let's remember that the original plan was to tear all the buildings down and start with new construction (and still close Genesee). It was built and now the question is to make the best use of what is there now. Retail in this corner was always a bit awkward being kind of split-level with the street. This may want to be altered. Once Main Street is reopened, I think this could be an important and valuable corner for retail again. It's recently shown it's value as a movie set (across the street).

While we're at it, could we start wishing the Bank of America building across Huron add some street-level retail at Main?

Knock it down for what? A suface lot? Whats going to replace it? The convenion center ramp was knocked down years ago and a surface lot sits there to this day blowing a huge hole in the urban fabric along Huron. Not that the Convention Center ramp was of any value at all but either way what replaced it? Buffalo and WNY has a population and demand problem.

How about a tree-lined linear park? I'd take the corresponding section of the next surface lot to the west in the picture. This opens to the East onto Roosevelt square and the Electric Tower.

The building exterior is so hideous and incongruent, removing it would be an improvement. And I say that as someone who patronized the salon in the basement for more than a decade. The inside of which is not dated, btw. They moved to the Avant.

They could also re-open Genesee St. and MOVE the Atrium (the dinning inside it) to the other side (Huron @ Pearl St.) And have the original Genesee Street Entrance as a MAIN Entrance to the Hyatt as it was the Original entrance to this building before it became the Hyatt. This way, it's updated and we don't have to look at that Rainbow Mall Looking 1985 Red lined glass crap anymore PLUS we get to re-open a street again. It'll be a win win.

The old buildings were wonderful, and losing them obviously knocked us a peg lower on the architectural, retail, and urban scales.

But it's time for us to stop reminiscing and wanting. It's time for us to start liking what we've got.

The current three story building is far more in scale with Buffalo's current financial and population reality, and retail demand. It is far more "renovate-able" than the old building would have been. Sean Brodfuehrer gave a great description of the awful exterior; this building MUST have a relationship with the street, and MUST be renovated to establish that relationship, ESPECIALLY to support retail.

Does this building do what it's supposed to do? Yes. Can it do it more successfully? Yes.

I wasn't making a practical suggestion. Featuring this property on this site, albeit to let the community know of its availability, invites such gut reactions.

We all seem to agree that the tacky red-trimmed glass should go, no matter which building it is on. I'd be happy to swing the first hammer or throw the first stone. Join me?

And thanks to Sean B. who I believe has previously provided citations on the low level of parkland per person in the Buff.

Still, I would like both Genessee St. restored, and a linear park starting at Roosevelt Square and running all the way to Delaware Ave. That would be a pretty picture.

Was looking at this addition with Steel over the weekend. While we owe Mr. Snyder (and all of us taxpayers who pitched in) a debt of thanks for the preservation of E.B. Green's Genesee Building, the best description I've found for this corner appendage is "Moonbase Alpha" architecture.

I agree with my pal Dagner that this corner could stand a drastic reconfigure in the context of a streetscape plan for Huron which could be a spectacular link between some significant places and neighborhoods downtown. Significant funding and leadership would be required.

While I agree a streetscape plan for Huron would be nice I disagree with putting any type of park here. How would that add anything to the lack of infill we already have in our city center? I also agree this building is hideous but it is doable if the surrounding area picks up with retail. I bet this spot wouldn't looks so bad then (in terms of usage not aesthetics). I just disagree with the whole attitude of putting in parks on every parcel whether or not there's a better use there. That won't add to the density we are already lacking, especially at the most center core of our city. A renovation of the facade to make it more consumer friendly would be the best adjustment for this corner, not any type of park, that's why we already have parks in the areas we do, lets fill those with people before we add more. Besides, I would think Main st will be a lot greener once they overhaul it for traffic and bring back proper sidewalks with trees and such.

How about a business training center.
I have some great ideas about how businesses in Buffalo can SURVIVE THE DOWNTURN through some simple six sigma / lean methodologies.

If SnyderCorp would consider this an opportunity to sponsor a "community service" presentation, we could do a weekly one hour presentation. FREE?

I'm willing to provide the content if they provide the room / coffee.

To learn more, contact Mike Weekes at 941 356 9434.

I just returned to Buffalo and want to help US return to a place we can all be proud of, even more than now.