Real Estate August 27, 2010 2:00 PM

TVGA's 50 Employees to Fill 620 Main Street

TVGA’s 50 Employees to Fill 620 Main Street
WCPerspective
WCPerspective 12

The neoclassical beauty at 620 Main Street in the Theater District is getting a new tenant.  TVGA Consultants, an engineering, land surveying, mapping and environmental firm, is relocating its corporate headquarters and 50 local employees from Maple Road in Elma.  Business First broke the news this morning.  The 18,250 sq.ft. property was last occupied in 2008.

Constructed in 1919, the building once housed the city's oldest jewelry store, E.B. Dickinson & Co. It was designed by architecture firm Esenwein & Johnson whose local portfolio includes the Calumet Building, Electric Tower, Lafayette High School, and the Buffalo Museum of Science.

TVGA.bmp620 Main was extensively renovated in the early 1980's. Advertising agency Levy King & White occupied the building until the firm merged with Eric Mower Associates in 1990. In 1991, the Buffalo Enterprise Development Corp. foreclosed on the property and occupied the building until 1999 when it was sold to internet firm Rights Exchange (which later became Softbank Net Solutions and then Reciprocal Inc.).

Current owner Larkin Development Group purchased the building in 2003.  Appraisal.com moved in one year later. The promising real estate appraisal and software company was negatively impacted by the nationwide housing market slowdown and had shrunk its local workforce in recent months. Appraisal.com's assets were acquired by Zaio Corporation in February and the business was relocated to West Seneca.

The new location will be open for business January 3, 2011.  TVGA also has offices in Jamestown, Syracuse and Saratoga.

Get Connected:  TVGA, 716.655.8842; Larkin Development Group, 716.362.2677

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12 Comments Leave a comment
derby98
August 27, 2010 1:10 PM
derby98

Sweet

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Jesse
August 27, 2010 1:19 PM
Jesse

Tough luck for Elma, and all the people who have jobs out there who live close to that building for a reason... A short commute changing to 20 miles is quite a difference.

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Chris
August 27, 2010 1:19 PM
Chris

Good jobs, great location!

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phrank
August 27, 2010 2:08 PM
phrank

Taking route 400 from Elma to downtown is a surprisingly quick commute. And with the commitment to relocate the headquarters downtown, employees should be encouraged to move in the city as well. Great move.

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sho'nuff
August 27, 2010 3:27 PM
sho'nuff

Except for those employees with children in daycare or school age who would have to move their children to the Buffalo Public Schools if they relocate to the city. That is one liability that we have yet to sufficiently address.

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replied to phrank
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shakeman
August 27, 2010 3:12 PM
shakeman

It is indeed a short commute, no more than 20 minutes from the center of Elma to Elm Street exit.

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Lego1981
August 27, 2010 4:19 PM
Lego1981

The last company definitely created some vibrancy on this end of the Theater District. I hope this new one does the same. The more people downtown, the more 'ALIVE' it is.

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The Kettle
August 27, 2010 4:40 PM
The Kettle

You guys picking at this because of the commute are just looking for issues.

If you are genuinely concerned about commute times or vehicle miles traveled, take comfort in knowing that now this business is in a higher density setting. Because of that more of their employees will have the option to walk, bike, or take the bus-train. Those who use cars will appreciate that downtown is geographically closer and easier to access from the region at large than Elma.

So stop with the drama. It is a company that, for whatever reason, chose downtown over their current location. That is a very good thing.

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Andrew
August 27, 2010 5:32 PM
Andrew

Even better news! This might be one of my favorite buildings in the city. Awesome that the firm is coming from the suburbs. More and more life on Main st. Love it!

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Dagner
August 28, 2010 8:27 AM
Dagner

Working in a central location provides more flexibility for the household. They can live in any direction, because that wage-earner can get to the central location from anywhere.

With public transportation or ride-sharing more likely, the household might rid itself of a budget-draining vehicle.

Entrepreneurs might see the increasing downtown density as a opportunity to offer day-care centers or other services nearby.

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Patrick
August 28, 2010 9:07 PM
Patrick

I'm hoping that part of their decision to move downtown was based on the plans that this part of Main St. would soon be open to vehicular traffic. It's also time to get rid of the giant trees in front of the building, as well as other buildings on Main! OMG! Who's idea was it to plant trees that grow so high?

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orlanmon
August 29, 2010 7:11 PM
orlanmon

I live ten minutes from their current headquarters and I am actually excited they are moving downtown!

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