Conversion of the Robertson Cataract Building at S. Elmwood Avenue and W. Mohawk Streets is in full-swing. Vacant for a number of years, the revamped building will include a mix of residential and commercial space. Developer 100 S. Elmwood LLC paid $500,000 for the site in March 2010. The building is at the epicenter of significant recent downtown development including the new Federal Courthouse, Avant, New Era headquarters and the upcoming renovation of the Statler.
Few exterior changes are planned for the circa-1916 building according to Michael R. Bray, RA, an associate with project architect Carmina Wood Morris.
"It's a great structure with very little to modify," says Bray. "The brick and terra cotta is in incredible shape. It will be cleaned and repaired as needed."
Windows installed in the 1970s have been removed and will be replaced with single-hung aluminum windows according to Bray. The framing for the new windows is now in place. Crews are finishing interior demolition work and have started framing the residential units on the third and fourth floors.
5,800 sq.ft. of commercial space will be located on the building's first floor along W. Mohawk Street.
Parking for fifteen cars is being created in the building's basement. The development team is exploring various options that would provide additional dedicated parking for building tenants.
Twenty-six loft apartments are planned for the building. The residential lobby will be located off S. Elmwood Avenue. Apartment will be evenly split between one-bedroom and two-bedroom units.
Nineteen different floorplans will be available. One-bedroom apartments range in size from 724 to 945 sq.ft. Two one-bedroom with den apartments are planned, one of which will be two levels with 1,200 sq.ft. of living space and an outdoor patio.
The five, two-bedroom, one-level units range in size from 1,129 to 1,298 sq.ft. There are eight, two-bedroom units with two levels ranging in size from 1,137 sq.ft. to 1,702 sq.ft.
Eight units will have outdoor patios. Two will be located on the roof of a two-story section of the building facing Niagara Street. The other six will be off the recessed fifth floor not visible from street level (see photo below).
Rents have not been set but are expected to be slightly over $1/sq.ft./month. The building will be ready for occupancy at the end of August.
(Edited by WCP at 7:30 PM to clarify parking information)
Always GREAT to see a building in Buffalo in construction or renovation mode. I never before noticed the Deco brickwork - very nice.