Real Estate March 16, 2011 12:03 AM

ZeptoMetrix Moves into Main Street Mansion

WCPerspective 26

"We're finally in 878 Main Street," says James Hengst, Ph.D., President and CEO of ZeptoMetrix Corporation. "The place is really stellar."

Yes it is.

It's taken four years, but the biotechnology firm has moved into its new corporate offices in Allentown at the edge of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus.

Before and After: 878 Main Street

ZeptoMetrix was selected by the City to redevelop the then vacant, circa-1890 mansion in 2006. The company purchased the property in December 2007 and quickly went to work gutting and restoring the three-story, 5,010 sq.ft. structure under plans prepared by Silvestri Architects.

Before and After: Reception area.

Bloch Industries, a high end woodworking/milling company based in Rochester owned by a ZeptoMetrix partner County Executive Chris Collins, produced the stunning interior woodwork. All of their work utilizes solid woods such as maple, oak, cherry, and mahogany. Bloch used dark stained cherry for the interior of 878 Main.

Main Street Entryway and Main Hallway

The project also included a renovation of the firm's next-door facility at 872 Main Street. The building's facade has been returned to its original look when it was built in the 1920's for retail and commercial use.

878 Main joins other recent investment on the high profile Allentown block including The Granite Works project to the south, Eights Bistro at 888 Main and Hospice's renovated building at 892 Main. Closer to Allen Street, a plan to restore both 916 and 918 Main Street for commercial and residential space is moving forward.

"This project not only cost more than anticipated but took longer than anyone would have thought at the outset," says Hengst.

The results speak for themselves.

New stairs built to match the originals that could not be saved.

First Floor Employee Kitchen

ZeptoMetrix is a privately held company formed in 1999 to serve the diagnostic and pharmaceutical research products industries. In 2003, the company acquired the BioClinical Partners division of Impath Corporation and a highly complementary and successful partnership was formed.

Entry Image: First floor conference room.

Get Connected: ZeptoMetrix, 716.882.0920

View image

Comments

26 Comments Leave a comment

pampiniform

March 15, 2011 11:17 PM

They did a great job on the place. The cherry is a nice touch. Is that before picture from 2006?

[ Reply ]

Score: 1 ( 1 votes )

WCPerspective

March 15, 2011 11:25 PM

August 2006 (exterior) and November 2008 (interior/gutted).

[ Reply ]

replied to pampiniform

Score: 1 ( 3 votes )

whatever

March 15, 2011 11:37 PM

This proves that the man who founded and owns ZeptoMetrix hates the city.

Oh wait, no, I guess it doesn't.

Well still, it's obvious that he must hate the city because.... ummm... can somebody help remind me?

[ Reply ]

Score: 2 ( 10 votes )

qbert

March 16, 2011 5:30 AM

Who founded Zeptometrix????

[ Reply ]

replied to whatever

Score: -1 ( 1 votes )

Mike Duff

March 16, 2011 6:56 AM

He is referring to County Executive Chris Collins, he owns ZeptoMetrix. He bought this mansion and was instrumental in getting it restored.

[ Reply ]

replied to qbert

Score: 1 ( 5 votes )

STEEL

March 16, 2011 12:05 AM

Now we need to work on the next one north of this.

[ Reply ]

Score: 2 ( 4 votes )

burbsarenotbuffalo

March 16, 2011 9:10 AM

yes, I'm also unclear why Roxy's is allowed to look the way that it does. The planters out front are falling apart, some of the windows are covered with either wallpaper or some sort of fabric, and the exterior is just a mess.

[ Reply ]

replied to STEEL

Score: 3 ( 3 votes )

grad94

March 16, 2011 6:09 AM

i remember back in the 90s when this place had a gaping hole in the roof. i think it was owned by the city and they didn't give a sh-t.

so: good job, zepto.

the authentic 2-over-2 windows look especially good.

[ Reply ]

Score: 3 ( 3 votes )

Travelrrr

March 16, 2011 6:09 AM

Nice work. Next one north is Roxy's, right? What's wrong with it?

[ Reply ]

Score: -1 ( 5 votes )

Buffalotom

March 16, 2011 10:21 AM

Oh come on! Roxy's has aways been an eyesore, now standing next to this outstanding reno it looks even worse. Unfortunately, the bars at this end of Allen have a history of taking and not giving, so do not expect to see any changes there at all.

[ Reply ]

replied to Travelrrr

Score: 2 ( 2 votes )

hamp

March 16, 2011 7:37 AM

And he collects pottery, and I see it on the mantle.

Great job.

[ Reply ]

Score: 1 ( 1 votes )

jpp

March 16, 2011 10:17 AM

That is a fine collection of Buffalo Pottery Deldare ware and Emerald deldare. Its acquistion came as a result of Collins' purchase of Buffalo China, which is now Niagara Ceramics. It was somewhat of an "instant" collection, but has been very likely expanded, as this Buffalo product is highly collectable, valuable and sought-after. I'm not certain if it is still on display, but the collection was showing at the Burchfield Penney.

[ Reply ]

replied to hamp

Score: 2 ( 2 votes )

RaChaCha

March 16, 2011 8:02 AM

Outstanding! Congrats and kudos to all involved. Preservation award for Zeptometrix and/or Bloch--?

[ Reply ]

Score: 4 ( 4 votes )

fill

March 16, 2011 8:19 AM

This is spectacular. I worked for Social Services years ago and had a client who lived in this building when it was a rooming house. I was amazed at how intact the interior details were at that time. Obviously, much was lost during the period when it was empty.

[ Reply ]

Score: 1 ( 1 votes )

john.straubinger

March 16, 2011 8:36 AM

What about the concrete fortress to the left of the beautiful rehab that is the other part of Zeppo? Before the rehab, it was Zeppo's main facility and architecturally, a fine example of the 1960's school of cinder-block-garage-door architecture. It's been rehabbed too. For ex-pats like myself who can't drive by until my next visit, I'm curious to know how its makeover looks.

[ Reply ]

Score: 2 ( 2 votes )

March 16, 2011 9:20 AM

http://www.buffalorising.com/2010/11/zeptometrix-mansion-nears-completion.html

BROs last article on this has a recent pic and some more info.

[ Reply ]

replied to john.straubinger

Score: 2 ( 2 votes )

skarnath

March 16, 2011 10:12 AM

Bravo! Dr. Orson Hoyt must be looking down and smiling at his reborn mansion. Dr. James Hengst should take a bow. Well done!

[ Reply ]

Score: 1 ( 1 votes )

Jas

March 16, 2011 10:25 AM

I believe their original plan was to tear this down for parking. Thank you preservationists (obstructionists) for saving this building!

[ Reply ]

Score: 4 ( 10 votes )

timvanman

March 16, 2011 1:23 PM

I wouldn't call Chris Collins a preservationist....

[ Reply ]

replied to Jas

Score: 3 ( 5 votes )

benfranklin

March 16, 2011 1:47 PM

The evidence here would state otherwise. Then again, most 'preservationists' are probably more bluster than action, so, maybe you're right.

[ Reply ]

replied to timvanman

Score: 1 ( 5 votes )

Travelrrr

March 16, 2011 1:50 PM

nor a friend of the arts, just because he collects pottery.

[ Reply ]

replied to timvanman

Score: 1 ( 5 votes )

charger

March 16, 2011 9:54 PM

Yes, JAS, you are 100% correct. Dr. Hengst and Mr. Collins did indeed make a proposal to demolish this building to create parking for their employees and visitors. Preservationists, and others who might not identify themselves as such, didn't let that happen and ZeptoMetrixs subsequently did an about face and restored the building. They are to be congratulated for that, but it is well to remember that were it not for "obstructionists" this would now be a parking lot, not the ZeptoMetrixs world headquarters.

[ Reply ]

replied to Jas

Score: 3 ( 3 votes )

Larry Sellers

March 16, 2011 11:25 AM

This looks great, and the surrounding neighborhood continues to gain momentum.

Now we just need to pressure the DOT to continue the work on Main Street/Rt. 5 that started at UB South and stopped (for whatever reason) at the Scajaquada.

[ Reply ]

Score: 2 ( 2 votes )

buffalouprising

March 16, 2011 8:22 PM

Not sure I trust King Kollins to deal safely with biohazards like anthrax, bird flu, HIV, etc . Sounds like Buffalo's Fukushima to me. Don't worry all precautions are being taken ... oops

[ Reply ]

Score: 1 ( 3 votes )

Eizil

March 17, 2011 11:38 AM

I think people may have the wrong idea about Chris Collins's role at Zepto. When I worked there he would show up for an hour or so every week do discuss finances and shake hands with big investors. He was certainly in no way affiliated with the labs, nor did he have any say in how the labs were run.

Also, there was no bird flu - that never came.

And...bleach is how you kill everything, in addition to a short spin in the autoclave.

[ Reply ]

replied to buffalouprising

Score: 1 ( 1 votes )