Niagara Street, between Virginia and Carolina, is finally getting a much-needed injection of investment that is coming in the form of an ideally located, multi-use green rehab. Three years ago Fred LoFaso (Sienna Realty) purchased the Turner Bros building (originally built as a sarsaparilla, gingers and bitters manufacturer in 1852) and the adjoining taller building to the north (built as a storage facility in the 1920s. The two buildings boast 55,000 sq.' of space. While the taller of the buildings would remain as storage over the years, the Turner Bros building housed various companies, producing such products as children's carriages, fittings and ultimately bike peddles. Ironically, much of the details that can be seen on the Turner Bros building can also be seen in a similar building recently featured (and in peril) on BRO.
Talking to Fred about the upcoming renovation is like talking to a wide-eyed kid about the circus coming to town. Fred's passion for this kind of thing is contagious. In recent years the buildings have been used as storage facilities - not the most exciting use, but at the same time the roofs were kept from leaking since it was occupied. Today Fred is in the process of designing a multi-use interior with 21 reasonably priced residential lofts (1000 sq.' each under $1000), architecturally respectful office spaces, and retail on the first floor. On top of that, the building will have numerous green components ranging from geothermal heating (additional savings for the residents), a living rooftop patio, and possible solar and/or wind components. As an added bonus, residents will have the ability to share an electric car that will be housed in one of the interior parking bays.
Fred is looking to up the ante for what it means to live an urban lifestyle here in Buffalo. He hopes that his tenants will respect the green nature of the project while taking in all of the assets that are already found in the neighborhood. The building will be bike-friendly mainly due to the ever-increasing bike lanes that are popping up thanks to the Complete Streets initiative (Niagara Street will hopefully be coming online in 2012). Proximity to the thruway is key, as is the waterfront and the Peace Bridge. As for the work, "Brad Wales R.A. has come up with some very exiting elements," Fred told me. "The plans are still a work in progress and I'm still studying what type /style the apartments should be. I envision a true Loft which Buffalo's inventory is lacking. Maybe a hybrid Loft combining traditional elements while maintain the open feeling of a true Loft? That might be a good question to ask your readers, what would they rent? One thing that is extremely important to me is maintaining as much of the original elements of the building (expose original store front, hardwood floors, columns, beams, etc.) while incorporating modern green efficiencies into the mechanics of the buildings. All of this is truly a balancing act.
"This project offers great architecture (circa 1855 antebellum Italianate), ideal site with parking, proximity to downtown, easy access to the I190 and the neighborhood - the neighborhood is truly a gem. Unlike many other new housing developments downtown there are many conveniences right out your front door Tops, Rite Aid, ethnic bakeries, restaurants, dry cleaners, City Hall, waterfront, bike paths, etc. The homes directly behind are some of the oldest and most beautiful brick structures in the city. The neighborhood is extremely ethnically diverse including Italian, African, Puerto Rican, African American, Caucasian. The social economic fabric ranges from yuppie to below the poverty level. It's a real neighborhood that is represented by all. I'm talking with a potential tenant for the ground floor which would fit perfectly into the overall concept of the building. I look forward to sharing that with you and your readers first in the coming weeks."
^ It is the hope of Fred LoFaso that by restoring the facade back to its original appeal, that this project might spur additional private investment on Niagara Street as well as warranted street infrastructure improvements by The City.
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Talking to Fred about the upcoming renovation is like talking to a wide-eyed kid about the circus coming to town. Fred's passion for this kind of thing is contagious. In recent years the buildings have been used as storage facilities - not the most exciting use, but at the same time the roofs were kept from leaking since it was occupied. Today Fred is in the process of designing a multi-use interior with 21 reasonably priced residential lofts (1000 sq.' each under $1000), architecturally respectful office spaces, and retail on the first floor. On top of that, the building will have numerous green components ranging from geothermal heating (additional savings for the residents), a living rooftop patio, and possible solar and/or wind components. As an added bonus, residents will have the ability to share an electric car that will be housed in one of the interior parking bays.
Fred is looking to up the ante for what it means to live an urban lifestyle here in Buffalo. He hopes that his tenants will respect the green nature of the project while taking in all of the assets that are already found in the neighborhood. The building will be bike-friendly mainly due to the ever-increasing bike lanes that are popping up thanks to the Complete Streets initiative (Niagara Street will hopefully be coming online in 2012). Proximity to the thruway is key, as is the waterfront and the Peace Bridge. As for the work, "Brad Wales R.A. has come up with some very exiting elements," Fred told me. "The plans are still a work in progress and I'm still studying what type /style the apartments should be. I envision a true Loft which Buffalo's inventory is lacking. Maybe a hybrid Loft combining traditional elements while maintain the open feeling of a true Loft? That might be a good question to ask your readers, what would they rent? One thing that is extremely important to me is maintaining as much of the original elements of the building (expose original store front, hardwood floors, columns, beams, etc.) while incorporating modern green efficiencies into the mechanics of the buildings. All of this is truly a balancing act."This project offers great architecture (circa 1855 antebellum Italianate), ideal site with parking, proximity to downtown, easy access to the I190 and the neighborhood - the neighborhood is truly a gem. Unlike many other new housing developments downtown there are many conveniences right out your front door Tops, Rite Aid, ethnic bakeries, restaurants, dry cleaners, City Hall, waterfront, bike paths, etc. The homes directly behind are some of the oldest and most beautiful brick structures in the city. The neighborhood is extremely ethnically diverse including Italian, African, Puerto Rican, African American, Caucasian. The social economic fabric ranges from yuppie to below the poverty level. It's a real neighborhood that is represented by all. I'm talking with a potential tenant for the ground floor which would fit perfectly into the overall concept of the building. I look forward to sharing that with you and your readers first in the coming weeks."
^ It is the hope of Fred LoFaso that by restoring the facade back to its original appeal, that this project might spur additional private investment on Niagara Street as well as warranted street infrastructure improvements by The City.
I figured this building would've been turned into a parking lot by now. I'm so glad to read news of more lofts.