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• Commented on Big Deal: Ellicott Development Buys Two Development Sites
  Ellicott Development linked the story above to their website. See the last paragraph in the post above. :)...
• Posted Plans Submitted for 'Freight House Landing' Along Buffalo River to Buffalo Rising
  Freight House Landing 441 Ohio Street, LLC, a development partnership made up of contractor/developer Sam Savarino and FFZ Holdings has submitted revised plans to construct a mixed-use building on the site of the Erie Freight House along the Buffalo River. Savarino Companies has been retained to develop, finance, construct and manage the project.  This past Friday Savarino submitted an application to the City of Buffalo for Planning Approval which will begin the process of getting the project reviewed and approved by the both the Planning Board and the City Preservation Board. Freight House Landing will be a mixed use facility...
• Posted Big Deal: Ellicott Development Buys Two Development Sites to Buffalo Rising
  Ellicott Development bought two city properties last Friday.  A gas station at 1395 Delaware Avenue and a vacant building at 173 Elm Street were purchased for $1.025 million and $325,000 respectively.  Both are located in areas that are seeing significant developer interest and investment.  ...
• Posted On the Market: K-Mart at 998 Broadway to Buffalo Rising
  A big box store located at one of Buffalo's most famous addresses is heading to the auction block.  The former K-Mart at store 998 Broadway will be auctioned on June 29th at Noon.  Cash Realty & Auctions is conducting the sale.  The 90,000 sq.ft. K-Mart building was built in 1991 and vacated in 2002.  A Sattler's store on the site was torn down in the late-1980s.  Recent proposals to use the structure as an alternative school and later a church went nowhere.  The building sits on 5.25 acres of land and has parking for 360 vehicles.  Potential uses mentioned in the auction...
• Posted Construction Watch: Cynthia Gardens to Buffalo Rising
  Cynthia Gardens is nearing completion.  Heart of the City Neighborhoods is constructing two buildings consisting of eight units of green, affordable housing on the city's Lower West Side. The project is being constructed at 294-302 Hudson Street between Plymouth and West avenues.The two townhouse-style buildings designed by Stieglitz Snyder Architecture reflect the neighborhood's historic character and will contain four apartments each. Four 2-bedroom, 900 sq.ft. apartments and four 3-bedroom 1,100 sq.ft. apartments will be available to households with incomes at or below 60 percent of the area median income. Parking for eight cars will be located at the rear of...
• Posted Done Deal: Dun Building Changes Hands to Buffalo Rising
  Downtown's first 'high rise' has a new owner.  The historic Dun Building was purchased on Friday for $1.325 million.  The buyer, 110 Pearl LLC, is an affiliate of Priam Enterprises headed by Paul Kolkmeyer and Greg Suffoletto. The 33,000 sq.ft. property was listed for sale late last year with a $1.58 million asking price.  CBRE Buffalo Partner Robert Roller and Sales Associate Adam Koehn represented the seller along with CBRE Pittsburgh....
• Posted 916-18 Main Street Project on Track for Completion Next Spring to Buffalo Rising
  Stabilization and interior demolition work on the historic Bosche Building located at 918 Main Street is scheduled to be finished by the end of August.  The City-owned building had a growing hole in its roof for several years leading many to fear for the building's future. A $1.2 million ReStoreNY grant was obtained to shore up the building and prepare it for reuse.  The four-story, Richardsonian Romanesque masonry building is located in the Allentown Historic Preservation District south of Allen Street. It is a former carriage factory built in 1891 and designed by Cyrus K. Porter, a well-known Buffalo architect. ...
• Commented on On The Market: Two Acres in Allentown/Med Campus
  Remember there may be public or quasi-public entities that might covet that land....
• Posted On The Market: Two Acres in Allentown/Med Campus to Buffalo Rising
  The Salvation Army has put the for sale sign on its four structures along Main Street in Allentown.  The properties at 954 to 984 Main are north of Allen Street across from the Coventus project that is currently under construction and the future University at Buffalo Medical School.  Gunner Tronolone and Dorothy Stahlnecker of MJ Peterson Commercial Real Estate have the listing.  The asking price is not disclosed as the Salvation Army is seeking a replacement facility as part as any deal. From the LoopNet ad: Headquarters of the Salvation Army 92,000 sq. ft. in four masonry structures on a...
• Posted Just Three Lots Remain in First Phase of Colvin Estates to Buffalo Rising
  You may be hard pressed to find a street in the region with more new homes under construction than Rachel Vincent Way in North Buffalo.  Colvin Estates, North Buffalo's first new residential subdivision in about ten years, is clearly a hit with homebuyers.  Just three of the 24 lots in the project's first phase remain unsold.  Models opened last May. There are half a dozen homes underway in the subdivision located off of Colvin Avenue between Taunton Place and St. Lawrence Avenue.  Buyers have moved into five additional residences, including the former model home at 4 Rachel Vincent that was sold...
• Posted Construction Watch: 716 Swan Street to Buffalo Rising
  A Larkin District redevelopment project is moving closer to completion.  Larkin Development Group is renovating the former Swan Lounge at Swan and Seneca streets into restaurant and residential space.  The two-story building was originally constructed as the Hydraulic Hotel but in recent years was a restaurant and bar.Larkin Development Group purchased the 7,900 sq.ft. building in September 2011 for $245,000.  Plans call for a gastropub on the first floor along with two upper floor apartments....
• Posted 500 Block's New Corporate Faces to Buffalo Rising
  Three commercial buildings in the 500 block of Main have attracted residential owner/occupants in the past couple of years (501 and 537 Main along with 9 Genesee).  A law firm and advertising agency have made or are soon to make similar moves.  Law firm Ricotta & Visco moved into 498 Main Street in December and The Martin Group is expected to move into its new headquarters at 477 Main Street next month.  ...
• Commented on Painting for Preservation E. Utica Street Event a Success; Heading to Trico Building Saturday
  Just you. That is not the point of this effort....
• Posted Painting for Preservation E. Utica Street Event a Success; Heading to Trico Building Saturday to Buffalo Rising
  Painting for Preservation is having an 'art-in' at the downtown Trico Building this Saturday, June 1, from 9:30 am until 12:30 pm.  Painting for Preservation (Facebook page) is a uniquely Buffalo art initiative that seeks to create a community of artists vested in the preservation of our urban landscape. Started in 2011 by artist Sara M. Zak, Painting for Preservation invites artists of all levels and community members to create art at historic buildings in any media (ie. paint, photography, paper, collage, cloth, video, etc.).  Artists of all skill level and media are welcome as are any interested observers and...
• Posted Uniland Plans Ellicott Street Office Project to Buffalo Rising
  Uniland Development Co. is planning a modern makeover for a nondescript downtown warehouse.  Uniland is under contract to purchase properties owned by Frey Heavy Duty on the east side of Ellicott Street south of E. Tupper Street.  A concrete block warehouse facility at 505 Ellicott Street would be remodeled and expanded to create office space attractive to firms in the tech, creative or medical industries....
• Posted Apartment Boom Continues with 10 Symphony Circle to Buffalo Rising
  It seems as though every underutilized building in a good location is a candidate for a residential conversion.  That's certainly the case on Symphony Circle where Ellicott Development has completed work on a dozen apartments in the former Grace Manor Nursing Home.   Ellicott Development purchased the former Grace Manor Nursing home located at 10 Symphony Circle in 2010 for $1.6 million.  It was purchased at auction after Grace Manor Health Care Facility, Inc. was placed in receivership by the state Department of Health in 2008.  The four-story complex contains 81,200 sq.ft. on 2.14 acres. Child and family service organization...
• Posted Construction Watch: Educational Opportunity Center Nears Opening to Buffalo Rising
  The new University at Buffalo Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) on Ellicott Street just south of  Goodell is nearly complete.  The $46 million, four-story building is scheduled to open on Friday, June 14.  The new EOC building will replace its current location at 465 Washington Street and allow the EOC to significantly expand its services, which include programming in remedial and academic preparation, as well as specific job training programs in allied health, life sciences, information technology and environmental industries.  Currently more than 2,000 people take part in UB's EOC services annually....
• Commented on Mixed-Use Project Planned for Historic C.W. Miller Livery Stable
  There's a public hearing in early June on the State funding. It will be tied to further investment in the building and will help fund exterior work....
• Posted Mixed-Use Project Planned for Historic C.W. Miller Livery Stable to Buffalo Rising
  One of downtown's most handsome buildings is getting a makeover.  Mark D. Croce and James F. Jerge are teaming up to convert the C.W. Miller Livery Stable (aka Hertz Parking Garage) at 73-77 W. Huron Street into a mix of retail, residential and possibly office space.  The project carries a $12 million price tag. McGuire Development Co. has been retained as an owner representative to coordinate the work.  Carmina Wood Morris is preparing design concepts for the project that is expected to utilize historic preservation tax credits. "Projects are getting larger and larger," says Croce.  "It makes sense to team up with McGuire...
• Posted The Iron Works to Bring Life to Illinois Street to Buffalo Rising
  Construction will soon be underway on The Iron Works, a live music club planned for Illinois Street.  The club and building is owned by a partnership that includes Trettel, developer Sam Savarino and Savarino's partners in Lagerhaus 95, Ed Plata and Dan Mania.  Building permits were pulled on Tuesday.  The goal is to have the club up and running for at least half of the summer season. The two-story property at 49 Illinois Street behind First Niagara Center will feature live music at least five nights a week and host local and national acts. The club will also be open on...
• Posted Leasing Begins as Bethune Lofts Nears Completion to Buffalo Rising
  The first residents at Bethune Lofts are expected in mid-July.  Ciminelli Real Estate Corporation is spending $15 million to convert an industrial turned educational complex at 2917 Main Street in to 87 market rate loft apartments. The building is adjacent to Bennett High School and one block from the LaSalle light rail station. With heavy construction completed, construction crews are busy putting the finishing touches on the building's common areas and unit finishes.  The building's façade, already vastly improved due to new windows, is being painted.  Due to historic preservation tax credits, all work being done meets State Historic Preservation...
• Posted Steve Carmina Plans 500 Block Move to Buffalo Rising
  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)....
• Posted Catholic Health Seeks Additional On-Site Parking to Buffalo Rising
  Uniland Development Company and Catholic Health officials will be at the June 4 Planning Board meeting seeking permission to add over 200 additional parking spaces at the health organization's administrative center under construction at Genesee and Oak streets.   Catholic Health is consolidating 700 employees into the new building that will be owned by Uniland and leased to Catholic Health.  Each office floor of the six-story building will have approximately 23,000 sq.ft. for an overall building total of approximately 140,000 sq.ft. Revised plans call for 840 parking spaces in a four-level pre-cast concrete parking deck and 84 parking spaces in surface...
• Posted Construction Watch: Houk Lofts to Buffalo Rising
  Developer Rocco Termini has started the first of a pair of adaptive reuse projects north of Buffalo State College.  Work is underway at 316 Grote Street to convert the former Houk Wire Wheel building into a mix of commercial and residential space.The $6.72 million Houk Lofts project will contain 22 one and two-bedroom apartments and commercial space.  A tattoo studio and hair salon are expected to be among the tenants in the 28,160 sq.ft. building.  ...
• Commented on Real Estate Rumor: Delaware North Moving to Delaware and Chippewa
  Yes- hit the report button and the comment will be reviewed...
• Posted Ellicott Proposes Fairmont Creamery Makeover to Buffalo Rising
  Redevelopment plans for a Scott Street building are becoming clearer.  Ellicott Development is moving forward with plans to put a mix of uses into the Fairmont Creamery at 199 Scott Street.  The eight-story building occupies a prominent site along the I-190 in the Cobblestone District.  Ellicott Development has owned the 120,000 sq.ft. property since 2001 and is one of the larger completely vacant buildings downtown. ...
• Posted Queen Takes a Haircut on Soldiers Circle to Buffalo Rising
  The Canadian government has been selling seven local residences after deciding to close the local Canadian Consulate office last August.  The largest, on Soldiers Circle, has a new owner.  Stephen and Elizabeth Hays purchased a century-old, 5,000 sq.ft., two-story residence at 196 Soldiers Place for $750,000 today.  The new owners got quite a deal.  The Canadian government paid $1.39 million for the property in 2009 and reportedly spent an additional $200,000 to upgrade the residence. ...
• Commented on Construction Watch: Catholic Health HQ
  It looks like it is 2/5ths the ultimate width- compare columns and bump-outs on second rendering and second pic....
• Commented on Construction Watch: 600 Block Re-Traffic
  The project needs to be bid by June 1. That would likely mean work starts in the fall....
• Posted Done Deal: 185 Niagara Street Sold to Buffalo Rising
  A church in the shadows of City Hall has a new owner today.  Mark Croce's Buffalo Development Corp. purchased the former St. Paul's & St. Mark's United Church of Christ at the corner of W. Huron and Niagara streets.  Croce paid $115,000 for the property that will be renovated for office use. "This was a natural acquisition for me," says Croce who has been investing in the Huron and Franklin street corridors for two decades.  It is a block away from Statler City and two blocks from Croce's planned boutique hotel at Huron and Franklin streets. Nearby blocks have seen...