One of downtown’s biggest boosters will soon be calling it ‘home.’ Architect Steve Carmina, a principal at architecture, engineering and design firm Carmina Wood Morris, is purchasing a commercial building on Roosevelt Square to convert it into commercial space and his residence.
Steve and his wife Brenda are ditching their suburban home for something he is deeply involved in- repurposing an historic building. Carmina has 9 Genesee Street under contract and received Buffalo Planning Board and Preservation Board approvals for his redevelopment plan. The 4,000 sq.ft. building is the oldest building in the Main-Genesee Historic District (circa-1845).
“We are excited about what is happening on Main Street,” says Steve. “We are not the pioneers though. Credit is due to Don Warfe and his partner John Volpe for getting this whole thing started. They did a wonderful job repurposing the former Stuart and Benson Building.”
“Paul and Sandra Wilkins are undertaking the biggest project with the restoration and re-use of the former Grevers Florists by bringing another restaurant to the 500 Block as well as their primary residence,” he says. “We are trying to figure out how to bridge the 35 feet from their rear terrace to ours.”
The first floor space is getting a new storefront (the entrance will be relocated to the center as shown in historic photo) and Carmina is already talking to a strong tenant for the 500 sq.ft. space.
The second floor (photo above) will contain a secondary bedroom with full bath and an open kitchen/living/dining area overlooking Roosevelt Square.
Previous owners that had planned a mixed-use conversion (see here and here) gutted the building but a historic staircase between the second and third floors will be restored and the exposed brick walls will be retained.
The third floor (above) will contain a game room/wet bar and the master bedroom with a walk-in closet and ensuite. Access to a rooftop patio is planned from the third floor. A studio/office will be created on the fourth level that will have a day bed for guests.
Restoration plans call for all new windows, masonry cleaning/repointing and a new roof. The currently grey façade will be repainted a ‘brick’ color. Parking will be located outside the front door once the Main Street retraffic project is completed along the 500 Block/Fountain Plaza section of Main Street.
Steve will be moving one block away from his office. Carmina Wood Morris purchased the six-story former McDonald’s Townehouse building at 487 Main, corner of Mohawk, in 2004. After a top-to-bottom renovation, the firm moved into the top two floors of the 91-year old building that also houses E-Café, a law office and the temporary offices for The Martin Group.
Carmina’s firm has been involved in a number of downtown projects including Webb Lofts, The Lafayette, 100 South, West Huron Lofts, The Martin Group’s new headquarters, and the conversion of the Tishman Building.
Work at 9 Genesee is expected to begin this summer with completion by the end of the year.