The ornate Calumet building at the corner of Chippewa and Franklin streets may soon have a new owner. After nearly a year since the property went on the market, and one price cut, the Calumet is reportedly under contract to a law firm that will move its offices to the building's upper floors.
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Business First has the details:
The law firm of Kenney Shelton Liptak Nowak LLP, in partnership with Amherst developer Angelo Natale, has put the three-story, 104-year-old building under contract. Firm founder Patrick Kenney confirmed that an offer was made to the current owners, restaurateur Mark Goldman and Buffalo attorney Arthur Ziller.
"We're doing our due diligence and looking to see if it makes sense," Kenney said. Terms were not disclosed.
The 24,000-square-foot building is at the corner of Chippewa and Franklin streets. It was listed for $775,000 with commercial real estate broker Alan Hastings of Hastings Cohn Real Estate. The law firm, meanwhile, is working with Anthony D'Auria of Waterbourne Real Estate Advisors LLC.
Kenney said his firm will occupy the building's two upper floors, or roughly 16,000 square feet. Three businesses -- Bacchus Wine Bar & Restaurant, La Luna night club and the Third Room, a tavern -- will remain as tenants on the first floor.
The law firm would increase its office space by 33 percent with the move. Kenney Shelton currently leases 12,000 square feet in the Rand Building.
The upper floors have been vacant for decades. Goldman opened the Calumet Cafe in the historic building in the late 1980's spurring the transformation of the Chippewa Street corridor.
Downtown sources say the prospective new owners plan to construct an elevator and stairway addition onto the rear of the building. An atrium is also said to be under consideration.
The sale could be a sign that the corridor is maturing and evolving. The popular entertainment district has constricted in recent years as several nightclubs, particularly on Delaware Avenue and Franklin Street, have folded and others have new ownership and names.
This is great news! Nice to see those upper floors used again and lit up at night. As for the Rest of Chippewa St. I would luv to see the two surface lots filled in and a few retailers to fill in some spots that may help make this a 24/7 Destination instead of just Friday and Saturday nites.