Buffalorising has been redesigned.

Though, I should not openly admit this, I am totally ignorant as to whom Rocco Termini is but I am impressed with his commitment to the City of Buffalo. The IS lofts are truly unique in their design and adaptive (pardon the cliché) reuse.

As a designer, I first noticed this construction when I stopped into the Washington Street Market but was unaware as to what or who was responsible for the work and I am pleasantly surprised.

My ultimate career goal is to become proactive in this type of adaptive reuse, so please tell me how one introduces themselves to someone as-like Rocco Termini?

Mark:

I am glad that you are excited and identify the uniqueness of the design tha this adaptive-reuse project posesses! The IS Lofts present an aesthetic and type of environment all too common in major urban environments yet something Buffalo has not seen yet and is only the beginning. We are the designers who have had the fortune of working with a developer such as Rocco who can identify the fact that new innovative use of materials in creating a clear design identity for each of his projects is key to their success. We also have some preliminary flash slide shows as well on our website: www.mvmt.org. Check it out! We are witnessing everyday the amazing opportunities and potential Buffalo posesses for excited and forward thinking designers!!

I sure hope the fireplace area is unfinished...

Some of my fondest memories are of my first apartment on bidwell parkway after moving out of my parents in the burbs, I loved that big old drafty apartment. Now when i see such projects as these totaly trendy and well done lofts going up, i envey the new youth who have these other urban options at their disposal...

Slick! A nice addition to downtown and the west Theater District.

Mark- Rocco is the point-man for Signature Development, one of the most active developers downtown. They also developed Washington Market where stopped in, Oak School Lofts, and Ellicott Lofts. Future plans include another phase of Ellicott Commons (where WM is), the three-block expansion of ECC's downtown campus and conversion of the Webb Building.

QE- nice photos, I'm jealous!

I usually really like the look of the factory/warehouse converted to loft living space... but it always seemed to me that the point was the juxtaposition of "finished" materials [furniture, appliances, fabrics, etc] and raw materials [brick walls, cement floors, exposed ductworks]. The fiberboard plywood fireplace box (if it is left that way) is a step too far in my mind, and one that misses the point completely. Its not to see what you can build with unfinished structural materials and pass off as "chic," its how well you can balance the soft and hard features in the space.

Lets hope they slap some stucco over that firebox.

I think that's the 'finish' around the fireplace, otherwise why are they putting up the plasma and the faceplate on the switch? If so, it is a little 'too much' by being 'too little.'

West coast -

You're right, while they might have put the TV up for the photo op, they wouldn't put a switchplate on. I'm ecstatic about the loft movement downtown, couldn't be happier. I just think that that design element is poor taste. Does the developer read these pages? Its not too late to put up some brick or stucco!

Beautiful views though.

The first thing I would do upon moving in is renovate the firebox. I'm no out of touch geezer either... I'm in the 25-35 y/o demographic that they're probably aiming for.

I also think it would be damn hard to watch that nice television with all the business of the wood pattern around it.

Edward Street / West Coast Perspective -

Your comments about the fireplaces and their finish are well put. We had originally spec-ed the finish to be a brushed aluminum veneer to go along with the material palette that was established for the rest of the space. We agree with you wholy but ultimately the owner has the final say and not always the designer, we still however stand by the orignal idea and hope that there still is an opportunity for it to happen. Be aware that only one of the units is actually finished (95%). But there are more exciting things to come with the project as the exterior skin of the stairwells and walkways move forward!!!

I'm holding judgement on the fireplace. It's not quite "done". The plan is to coat it in poly so the finish matches the hyper gloss of the floors. Very cool idea. Whether or not it's to your taste, you gotta give the guy props for innovation.

I have a feeling these are going to fill up even fatser than his Oak Street lofts.

Figmo is correct in saying that the actual finish of the fireplaces will be a high-gloss epoxy finish similar to the floor but a clear coat. It is a cool idea in its own and we'll see how it looks once it is finished as mentioned above. They are filling up faster than Oak School Lofts..... so get in while the gettin' is good!...... even if there is a couple of months till project completition. We always give Rocco props for fun and interesting ideas for these projects...... he's one of the only developers in the area that has that open mind-set.... it is our job to pull all of the ideas and goals into a clear,cohesive, and unique identity for the space.

Movement,

Any chance we can see what those stair towers and out door walkways will look like. That is the one aaspect of the project that makes me a bit suspicious.

Movement, the contrast between finished spaces and those left just a little raw and the choice of finishes is really inspired. And the hyper-modern iPod finish floor. Brilliant.

All I've seen are these photos and the interiors (regardless of their price point which is a genuine design achievement) are badass.

I Second Figmo

I was seriously considering contacting them and moving into these - and I'm really impressed with the interiors. However, I was initially under the impression that you would enter from the other side of the unit, and each unit would have its own patio, not a common patio/entry. That means that everybody will have to keep their blinds shut unless they want their neighbors looking in as they walk by to get to their unit.

Steel / Figmo-

I am glad that you guys are as excited about the design as we are! In regards to the exterior (steel's question)...... while we'd love to show some images of the exterior, professionally, it is not our place to release such information to the public, that is Rocco's job and discression. However I can say that the quality will be an extension of what we are doing in the interiors.... melding a refined, clean, funcitional modern aesthetic with the industrial/historic character of the existing building. Somethings are good to be left as a pleasant suprise.... just like the positive response we are getting about the interiors. Mind you some of the original elevations and renderings from 2 years ago were a'la Hampton Inn, which we discarded (and were not responsible for designing)..... and trust me that the facades to come will be far from that banal image. Steel..... we believe this project definitely fits into the major points you made about "The Importance of Modernism" article you wrote and that the "IS" lofts will have an important place within the diverse range of building that is happening and will continue to happen Downtown and throughout the city.

I think the builder has good intensions, however lacks the professionalism of a finished product. Possibly a budget or time thing? Shoe molding to tighten the gap on the base, brush some plaster over the exposed concrete, or for god sakes put anything but waferboard on the fire place. The response of putting any type of stainless over this is the wrong way to do this. Plywood or particleboard is the best backer for any type of metal mica. Free standing stove? Why not a slide in? It would look much cleaner for $200 more. Lack of kitchen cabinets and no corner cabinet shows lack of kitchen layout and design. What kind of sound quality does this unfinished space have? Sauna spray on the ceilling or some type of finish would help. The thought process is if you put a plasma on something you will over look the cheapness? The frosted glass is a great concept, where did the retro glass block thing come into play? Left over from the previous job? The overall impresion of the space says I ran out of money and couldnt think of something else to do. Do you think people are easily sold on something modern done cheap? Overall the space looks good but dont get any more rent than you are! Our concept is when we are done, try to pick it apart, and only for a few thousand more.

Dave - I think that is the point. I don't believe the builders are building for the 'rent with the option to buy' crowd. These are for young urbanites, who aren't necessarily needing all the cabinet space and looking for the 'unfinished', hip look that an urban loft can offer. While the fireplace area didn't look finished (I hope they get it done soon!) - the rest of it looks great! If I was a lot younger and it was the first time out on my own, I'd love to live there.

Here in Chicago, lofts like this abound and people actually invest and buy them up, so this is a great step in the right direction for viable urban housing for young professionals. Nicole

Nicole, good point to the young professional. I guess Ive just been in the business too long to be in the competitive market of the fast track lane, and I am much too intimate on my design ideas. I personally have a great desire to do this type of work but at a different level wich alot of buffalonians can not appreciate. I am very critical of all work. I guess its because people want something cool, at a good price and when its completed, and you have to pay for it, it needs at that point to be perfect. The rental isnt bad for the money, and the average person.

Whos that handsome guy in the picture? What a hottie!

Movement

Happy to hear you are going modern. Buffalo desparately need to project a contemporary image in its new construction.

Now Id like to see the Womens & Childrens Hospital move over to the Life Sciences Corridor and that building converted to apartments.

or as I have laughingly heard it referred to as the "anything one but men" hospital. I never really though that the name womens and childrens hospital sent the right message for our city and I always thought it should be centrally located for all the citizens of Buffalo and not just the westside.

Get rid of that parking lot and put a nice 5 or 6 story condo/apartment with first floor retail....that would be great for that whole section of Elmwood.

Makes me want to come home from Boston and rent /buy something cool that I can actually afford.

Nice job, Rocco... keep up the good work.

I agree with nicole, yes, as a designer, that fireplace is god awful, but the over all design and sleekness is very cool, and as in Chicago, In Atlanta, condo's like this are the norm and getting snapped up before constuction begins for $200,000.00. They are geered toward the young, urban and hip crowd.

The apartment looks sleek, but am I the only person in the world who hates the TV over the fireplace combo? Regardless, this looks great, and I hope Rocco has great success.

Is there a bedroom? Do you sleep on the couch?

Marks,
There is a separate bedroom with a frosted glass door....also a LARGE bathroom.