The vacant lot at the corner of Grant and Potomac is showing signs of progress with the plans of a three-story residential/commercial property staked on the premises. HES Properties, owned by brothers Chris and Matt Siano, purchased the lot at 363 Grant Street from the City and, as previously reported by Buffalo Rising, has plans for the second and third floors to be devoted to five apartments per floor with one apartment on the ground floor as well as a 2,500 ft. commercial space yet to be leased.
According to site architect John Wingfelder, plans were just finalized to install a geo-thermal heating and cooling system which could potentially translate into no heating or cooling bills for the property. Wingfelder notes that the developers’ commitment to the project will result in a, “building design that takes a lot of cues from the older traditional buildings in the city, but will be done in a clean and modern way.” From the beginning they have seen this as an infill project in a rough neighborhood that seems to be poised for a resurgence.
Chris and Matt Siano have also purchased the building across the street at 368 Grant, where renovations have already begun, and where Public Espresso + Coffee will soon find its new home. Chris Siano says the brothers are, “always looking to buy more property on Grant.” They see the potential on Grant as the next Elmwood Avenue and consider their efforts on the street to be long-term commitments. With rent costs at an all-time high on the Elmwood Strip, Grant Street presents a huge potential for business owners to enter the Grant Street neighborhood at a time when the property values are less than half of similarly sized properties on Elmwood.
Chris Siano recognizes the worth of the neighborhood in its proximity to the popular Elmwood strip while being situated close to Buffalo State College, the I-190 and New York 198 as well as the well-traversed Richmond Avenue. He recognizes that development on the West Side of Buffalo has the capability to push strongly from Richmond west to the Niagara River. Grant Street certainly seems the conduit to accomplish that vision. He and his brother look forward to doing what they can in the neighborhood by wisely, “biting off enough to chew but not too much.”
The corner where this project is located has some already established businesses including Gypsy Parlor, kitty-corner to 363 and African Market Center and Deli located next door. Deli manager Bahir Ahmed sees the neighbor changing significantly over the last five years with a large refugee community establishing roots. He sees the renovation and building that is taking place as, “a good sign that Buffalo is growing and changing for the better.” Ahmed states, “It is good for our community that more shops and businesses are moving in.”
On an unseasonably warm Sunday afternoon in December this neighborhood was bustling with foot traffic. Buffalo State is within walking distance with the Burchfield Penney Art Center, the Albright-Knox Art Gallery and the Richardson Complex all nearby, and the beginning of the Elmwood Strip at Elmwood and Forest easily within reach.
More to come on this exciting project, to be sure. We will also be keeping an eye on the opening of Public Espresso + Coffee, as well as further commercial developments arising within the Siano buildings. A couple of new businesses at this corner could be a real game changer for the community. It would bring crucial infill and density to a street that is in need of another vibrant corner similar to Lafayette and Grant where a cluster of businesses are located. The new infill building at 363 Grant Street will go a long way towards establishing a solid business community that can help to further establish this corner (Grant and Potomac) as a buzzing destination on the West Side. It also goes to show what a couple of brothers can do to affect change on a street, by recognizing the importance of preserving this city’s historic building stock while designing quality infill that is complementary to its surroundings.
Get in touch with Chris if you have an interest in the apartments or commercial space, email info@hesproperties.com.