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Savarino Construction Moves To Cobblestone

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Savarino Construction Services Corp. has relocated their offices from Williamsville to 26 Mississippi Street in the first phase of the Cobblestone Lofts development. Phase one involved renovation of a four-story mid-block building into 18,000 sq.ft. of loft-like office space where the firm will be occupying the first and second floors. Eva Hassett, VP of Savarino Construction Services Corp., proudly led Leadership Buffalo on a group tour of the building when these photos were taken.

Each floor, with a total of 4,500 square feet, enjoys an abundance of natural light and a flexible, open floor plan. Savarino, who also served as construction manager, is partnering with Avalon Development to convert the 1930’s-era BenLin Warehouse complex into a mixed-use office, retail and residential development.

Cobblestone Lofts is located at the corner of Perry and Mississippi Street behind HSBC Arena. The centerpiece of the project, the renovation of the five-story corner building into 36 condominiums, is expected to begin this Summer.

Get Connected: Cobblestone Lofts. 716.332.5959.





Edward Street April 14, 2006 09:37 AM

Now this is good news... a company moving from Williamsville to downtown, espcially to a "new" district, Cobblestone. I don't know whether they've created any jobs in this move, but as far as I'm concerned adding to the city's daytime density is a great first step. Awesome.

Dak April 14, 2006 10:06 AM

What a sexy project!

M April 14, 2006 10:24 AM

Great project for sure. Does anyone know of any updates on the progress of Savarino's Elmwood Village Hotel? Hopefully that hasn't been stalled.

Charger April 14, 2006 10:56 AM

Where are all the voices upset that this piece of Buffalo's rotten old industrial past wasn't demolished long ago to make way for the future?

Where are the voices that call in the wrecking ball for all those "rat-infested," "dilapidated," "eyesores" like the one this building used to be before someone with vision got ahold of it.

How many more projects like this is Buffalo going to have to see before the mind-set will change?

Thank you Savarino and Jacobs for showing everyone what's possible.

Pauldub April 14, 2006 11:02 AM

They're building in Buffalo, they're moving into Buffalo. We are starting to see some serious momentum here. I predict within the next 5 years business will be scrambling to get into Buffalo.

BCB April 14, 2006 11:43 AM

It's REAL...the tide is turning and it's all good for New Buffalo!

Gepetto April 14, 2006 12:06 PM

Savarino, "thank you" for making the numbers work, and delivering a spectacular complex to the Cobblestone District. Now morph and be pervasive. Competitors welcomed.

Cynthia Hammond April 14, 2006 12:30 PM

This is great news, but what I really hope to hear about are businesses (and residents) relocating here from Atlanta, Charlotte and NYC ... or even better, moving here and starting new enterprises. Buffalo has a nascent turnaround happening, but the ticket to long term success can't be focused on cannibalizing our own backyard.

L April 14, 2006 12:32 PM

Savarino....dig up the Ohio Basin under Father Connolly Park....give the Cobblestone and South Buffalo their Canal Teminus. Give the Cobblstone and SouthBuffalo their rightful place as the warehouse and true canal district of the Erie Canal. Bring back the Hamburg, the Ohio and the O&S Canals.

Then make the case to Buffalo and Erie County for our new Cobblestone Convention & Conference Center. This has got to be Buffalos next priority and major investment!

Pauldub April 14, 2006 12:38 PM

Savarino... I would be happy if you just pass the word to companies you work with about what a great place buffalo is, and convince them to move here too!

Kip April 14, 2006 01:36 PM

"This is great news, but" there's allways a "but"! ......Come on let them have there credit due..... in due time my lady, in due time!

Kip April 14, 2006 01:39 PM

cannibalizing our own backyard" you also want to eat the people that are already here? How about we try to 1st "stop the bleeding" of people and business leaving then work on the next step!

Pauldub April 14, 2006 02:22 PM

"Want to eat the people that are already here" Kip is always thinking about food. Must be lunch time. At least he ain't doing the caps lock thing. As for "but" I don't think it is a down type but. I think it is a fervent wish but. So I will allow it

KIP April 14, 2006 02:32 PM

Hey she said it "cannibalizing our own backyard" I hear what she saying, However we cant have it all at once, however it would be nice. I think both of us agree "its a coming"! Actully my Lunch sucked today!

Pauldub April 14, 2006 02:53 PM

Too bad. I went with Jambalaya and chorizo. Mmmmm. Spicy goodness.

KIP April 14, 2006 04:00 PM

Jambalaya's The Bomb!

ForumEconomics April 14, 2006 04:01 PM

re 'cannibalizing our own back yard': using incentives to attract suburban business to downtown buffalo is not a zero sum game. It produces net benefits that are the mirror image of the net loss resulting from the opposite; i.e., incentives to attract business out of the city. In an area experiencing population loss, suburban sprawl and the fixed costs that go along with it produce a permanent, long-term burden that cannot be spread over a growing population. Moving business from sprawl areas into neighborhoods with underutilzed infrastructure (the city) promotes new development without increasing fixed costs. That is a net economic gain, to say nothing of the cultural benefits that go along with it. Bravo Savarino.

hamp April 14, 2006 04:37 PM


Agreed. Focusing development downtown is not "cannibalizing" anything.

It's smart growth, and it's good for everyone. This type of development can make great changes, and is realistic.

And there are plenty of other, more productive things to do than trying to get companies to move from out of town.

Pauldub April 14, 2006 08:46 PM

Although we won't do anything to discourage them..
In my own simple mind I think of this as filling the holes in the center. This can only strengthen the whole. The city must be healthy in order for the outlying structure to survive

shasta April 15, 2006 10:51 PM

It is a corporation (singular), so it has moved ITS offices, not THEIR offices. This is an example of why traditional news media (equipped with copy editors) trumps web logs in terms of quality.

noslots April 16, 2006 08:51 AM

go ahead, beat me up...
it is great to see something in this building, but from the pictures it looks like they power washed the inside of an old factory and put some new desks inside..
this is considered class A ? what the hell is class C, a tent ?

queenseyes April 16, 2006 10:56 AM

I've been inside and you are right noslots. It is understated, but it is cool. The views onto the Cobblestone District are beautiful. The open rooms are industrial and bright. It is up to the tenants to stylize the interior. The photo above? I have always been one for leaving the structural elements of an old building exposed when it comes to a rehab project. Not everybody sees it that way of course. This is the type of space I would prefer to work with. Unfinished and understated. I even love the floors. Give me rough-hewn over wall-to-wall carpet any day. Go see the space in its setting and then go visit Roy and Sionen at Light Makers, Michael at Coo Coo U, Rick Smith at Rigidized Metals, Scott Pitek or Brad Wales (design consultants) and BAM!

Steven Carmina April 26, 2006 03:02 PM

Once again, I have to take a moment to ring our own bell (Since no one else did). Carmina & Wood, PC is the Architecture, Engineering and Interior Design firm responsible for this project. We are very proud to be a part of the Cobblestone District resurection.

Steven Carmina April 26, 2006 03:41 PM

Once again we are stuck ringing our own bell. (Because no one else did) Carmina & Wood, PC is the Architect, Engineer and Interior Design Consultant for the Cobblestone Project which will also include a 36 unit condominium component. We are proud to be a city firm and part of the Cobblestone District resurrection.

Artfive April 26, 2006 04:04 PM

Because this website is obsessed with development, not design. Unless there is a huge outrage, the architect's name rarely gets into a story.

terry paulus June 4, 2006 02:34 PM

Yeah I will definetely be purchasing one of these- Anyone have any predictions on when units will be for sale?