The Rebirth of a Signature House on Niagara Street

Wonderful individual effort. And yes, this is exactly the type of story I expect from BR. What does Mr. Gulick intend to do with the home, once restored?

amazing! we need 1000 more John's in the city.

I was interested in purchasing this house last year, but the realtor never called back to set up an appointment. The building needed substantial work, but was defintely a gem. We peered in the side windows and saw absolutely amazing floor to ceiling wood shutters.

Also, when we were looking, the former Cristiano's bakery was included in the sale.

Good luck, Mr. Gulick. I can honestly say i'm a bit envious

Here's a great video about John and his work.
http://www.preservationbuffaloniagara.org/page/events-education/

Is the current plan known for 1273 Niagara, the 3400 sq ft house below Auburn that Harvey Garrett attempted to sell "free" a couple years ago? That plan apparently failed because of 'unforgivable' water liens.

It has finally been purchased by Wm Breezer at the Oct tax sale for $7.5K, deed filed 3/18/10. (It had previously sold for $78,690 in May 2005)

Interestingly Breezer also owns 1242, 1245, 1246, 1255, 1270, as well as 1273 Niagara.

What's up?

Richard Kern

"as it did at the turn of the century (if that is indeed how old it is)" ...

It appeared on the 1894 City Atlas. Based on its style, I'd say it was built between 1886 and 1892.

Aside from the Larkin District bounded by I-190 and the Masten/Fruit Belt District bounded by the Kensington there is not really much hope for much of the eastside of Buffalo.

That may change if the city were rethought:
-redirecting traffic from Elm-Oak Arteriole to say Jefferson by limiting downtown access ramps further away from the city core
-extending light rail to the airport would be huge for downtown and the eastside
-yes yes yes...eliminating the barriers that the convention center, Olympic Towers, Hyatt Atrium, etc represent, as well as downgrading the Elm-Oak Arteriole would all help integrate the eastside with downtown on par with the integration of downtown and the westside.

Right now, the historical district is a pie shaped wedge between Main Street and Niagara Street. The positive effects upon the importance of the seemless integration between downtown and the westside is obvious. It creates more livable communities, higher valued properties and thus less abandoned properties, more traffic and more business and more rentals and more home ownership.

Niagara Street is a powerful conduit for the city if it could build it as an international gateway entrance from the Peace Bridge to the city.

Sadly, the property owners understand the possibilities but the city does not.

Buffalo is mired is the incompetent vanity of "Im the mayor, look at me."

Buffalo government is rife with patronage, political party machinations, unions and the incompetence that the aforementioned breeds.

It is amazing, knowing this, that there are missionaries like John who come to the city and resurrect a dream that we can all share. We Buffalonians thank you.

I go one step further...I thank every Buffalonian either through love or civic responsibility make the city a better place for everyone: planting a tree, fixing a sidewalk, sweeping a curb, using their plow to plow the street before the days it takes the city, painting, roofing, cleaning gutters, planting flowers, etc.

You inspire us by setting an example and we are grateful.

Great effort, these are the kind of projects that were rare a few years ago but now are starting to pop up all over the city. The great old houses and buildings that have been overlooked for so long are finally being recognized and appreciated. Lets hope we don't continue to demolish our best asset that will attract people back to the city.

Thanks for all the positive comments neighbors. We all can be a part of putting this once great city back on the map as one of the greatest places to reside. Between our existing historic building/housing stock, our wonderful "city of good neighbors" and our great weather, well what else could one ask for?
In my opinion, to get us back on the map it will require a major effort from all levels of government and I am not confident we are receiving that currently.
thanks again

What a great thing to see.

I KNOW PERSONALLY how hard it is to rehab a home - I've been doing it off and on for over 4 years now here(and friends wonder why I didn't do this sooner!).

At least you have comfy weather to do the outside work now - we have now officially reached our "hundreds" here in Vegas.

Now, since it took about a couple years to re-do my roof (with structural corrections), I'm "lucky" it doesn't rain much, either.

Good luck to John on his rehab - that's not an easy thing to do...

Ive had the pleasure to have done business with John in the past. He's a craftsman who not only knows his trade, but is truly affable willing to explain some of the subtle details of his work.

I know any work he does will be completed to his very exacting standards. It will be a stunning gem when he is done - I cant wait to see it!