Based on the renderings, the proposed Gates Circle tower looks very much in scale with the rest of the buildings. It's flanked on both sides by massive, mid-rise buildings so the slender form contrats well with them, but is not so tall as to dwarf them. It looks to be maybe 2-3 times as tall, and not nearly as massive, so it presents an overall good composition.

It is rather disappointing to see such negativity towards what looks like a very well thought out project. The design is modern and distinctive for the Buffalo area without being gaudy. While you might find similar buildings in Toronto or other large cities, you won't find them in Buffalo, and that's what matters. This building would be a big plus for Buffalo, and should be built. It would be a major blow to the city if the obstructionists get their way.

Big improvement from whats there.... underground parking.... slim at the top thicker at the bottom so those weirdos can't complain about their "air flow"..internationally known landscaper... more Buffalo residents... I will however miss that chicken shack... too funny

Underground parking. Two thumbs up!

I love it.

The design is modern, beautiful, and just what this city needs more of. Anyone opposed to this specific project should relocate immediately.

Do you think I can file a law suit against Lippes and Co. for constantly pissing me off?

judge elfvin and other "prominent" buffalonians who live in the neighboring park lane don't like this project; so, who cares if the rest of us do?

"I think Buffalo's signature in the future will be a kind of old, historical , other- time essence that you also find in Savannah in a more pronounced way."

I could not disagree with this more. I think you are obsessed with an image. You've diminished cultural shifts as "trends" and "fads" while you continue to worship an image/dream of an "other-time" Buffalo. If we cannot live in the present and for the future, then we are not doing much of anything at all. Does your city of an "other-time" have people in it?--technology?Music?Art?Politics? a functioning economy? Philosophy? Scientific research? fashion?--or does all of this belong downtown in your innovation ghetto? I'm not going to live in a tourist destination of a neighborhood--i'm going to live in a vibrant place that attracts tourists because its a good city. If your "other-time" bias is only about architecture --than you ARE living in a postcard.

Wow beautiful! I think this will contrast the new and the old buildings in the Buffalo area nicely. How can't you love this project? Please no lawsuits!!!!!

All I can say is "wow"! Well thought out and truly beautiful looking.

Maybe "Buffalo Rising" should start an online petition to take to the city to prove that a majority of the city residents want to see such development and put the useless "old guard" who have done nothing for this city in 30 years in their place. Maybe 5-10 thousand names in favor will help. What has this Carol Collard or Judge Elfvin done to make progress in this city anyway? Maybe instead of spending time stopping development, they should try to do something useful with their lives like volunteer work at the childrens hospital.

If I was approached about a tower like this on the corner of my street [North Pearl] to replace Bills Deli or any of the slovenly bars or apartment houses, historic area or not.... I would be truly giddy

As Board Member Emeritus of 800 West Ferry Condo, I think it's cool. It even blocks the Park Lane's view of the east side.

On a side note - isn't Judge John Elfvin the one who cost federal taxpayers more than $450,000 by ripping his stenographer's (Edna Conlan Paczynski's) blouse or something? I thought he was dead.

EricOak,

did i say the project is "...the ticket to a rebirth of Buffalo"? it's a project making sense on many levels; unfortunate it doesn't pass your narrow architectural snobbery evaluation; please seek help at obstructionists anonymous

I made fun of the casino building so here is my penance: I love this tower!

23 floors of limestone and glass goodness. Thank You Uniland!

I too can't stop thinking about the comparisons between this and Pano's. Yea, it's a multi-million dollar project vs a greasy spoon's addition, yet scale is irrelevant when it comes to conscientious planning. For those that claim this looks out of place, you've got to be kidding. There's a monolithic mountain across the street & what about the Floridian blue condos down the street.

This project gets an A+. The designers have taken every step to keep the neighbors happy, but they're going to complain anyway because they don't want to lose their view. Unfortunately, this is one area where Buffalo needs to learn to be a "grown up city." People in Manhattan lose their views all the time when a new high rise tower is put in next door. It's not as though Uniland is building a behemoth here that is squeezing every last inch out of the parcel... there is plenty of room for air flow and sight lines around this this building. All the parking will be underground too. I mean, could you get any smarter? I really hope the NIMBYs lose this one. There should be broad citizen support for this project, one of the few home runs to be proposed in the "big project" category. Compare this to the "Waterfront Village" condo tower proposal. This is modern, urban-residential appropriate, doesn't need a sea of parking, and raises the profile of one of our city gems, an Olmstead Circle (again a feature where we can compete with Manhattan).

Also, I love this because it is going to extend the city skyline further north.

Build it now. Go Buffalo!!

There are some friggen idiots on this site... build the thing for the love of god!!! There is so much on the table right now on the verge of coming to reality in the city and stupid lawsuits are stopping them. This city could be so different in just 3 years if lawyers and judges refused these ridiculous cases.

Parking lot's 50 cars are not welcome traffic? How much traffic do you think 50 cars could possibly generate? This is crazy stuff. And I would take those 50 cars, given how much property values are going to SKYROCKET in the area. Why will they skyrocket? Because when people see that buyers are willng to pay $400,000 and up for a condo in the area, confidence in the area increases, demand rises, and prices go up!

Folks like EricOak want Buffalo to remain in a static Victorian timewarp for eternity. If only the entire city could look like your stodgy rich WASP enclave of mini-mansions otherwise known as Oakland Place.

I'd rather see Buffalo thrive as a living, breathing city than an interpretive history museum. This sexy new highrise will help breathe some new life into an otherwise yawnirific area.

As an ex-pat living in the south this is the type of develpment that is helping cities to grow. Good luck, I hope it goes through and not tied up in lawsuits like the hotel and the tower near main place mall.

EricOak's post can be summed up in one sentence:

"I'm all for new growth in this city, but Not In My Back Yard"

EricOak; I believe your opposition is mis-placed. I hear your concerns but there are other, simpler things u could do to improve the look of your neighborhood. for ex., if i were you, I would let the condo project be and focus your energies on trying to improve the corners down the street at Del. & Delavan (the bogus gas stations, rite aids, run down bldgs., etc. Same as the Elmwood Hotel proposal, seems nuts to me that there was so much opposition when 2 of the 4 corners @ Forest/Elmwood are either empty or a gas station. by the way, people shouldn't lump things together; for example; i think what Panos' did is very bad & will never go there again (only ate there once anyhow); at the same time, the proposed condo seems very good.

EricOak; I do not, nor, I believe, most people, want un-fettered growth. this proposed condo is not being plunked down in the middle of Chapin parkway, Lancaster, or any other street. It's proposed for a large traffic circle which already has problems. the location seems reasonable and this is coming from someone who has been accused of being a obstructionist. anyway, I stand by what i posted earlier: it seems nuts to me that you & others may be spending alot of time, energy & $ fighting this when there are many easier and, to me, more obvious things you could be doing to improve the "charm" of Buffalo; like trying to improve the corners @ Delaware & Delavan -- or, any of the street corners on Main Street from Lafayette to Allen. wait, the "east side" or main st. corridor is not in the "Elmwood village" so let's screw them or ignore them more....?

Daniel sack,

I think you would have to agree that a driveway on Lancaster is much better than the current driveway on the Circle. You and your neighbors should back down. This is a good project for the city.

Besides from what I understand Uniland could be filling in that big parking lot on Lancaster in the future with townhouses. That would be extra good. The city needs to unite against the greedy self interests and move into the 21st century.

Daniel Sack - How much of an impact does narrowing the street a bit actually have on your life? Do you agree or disagree that the construction and success of this tower will increase the value of the surrounding property including your own? Do you agree or disagree that projects like this need to happen to bring Buffalo up to par economically with other American cities? Why do you think you have right to "stop" Uniland or anyone else from building a clean, beautiful, well designed building on property that belongs to them and not you?? I could see your complaint if they were building a sewer treatment plant or something but come on man these renderings are incredible and this building can ONLY help. You point of view is selfish and it is people like you who bicker over trivial things like curb cutting that prevent anything good from happening in Buffalo.

Daniel Sack,

You are the reason people move out of Buffalo. Are you serious? You are filing a lawsuit against the city because of a curb cutting permit? I can't even express in coherent terms how much of a joke I think you and your lawsuit are. You want to stop a project that brings in jobs, money and people to the city because 50 extra cars might use your street? Clearly, your priorities for this city are misplaced. Its really cool to see that the existing building there is vacant and looks like crap. Oh but that's ok because 50 extra cars aren't Lancaster. If this thing is built I'll fly back to Buffalo just to drive around your neighborhood repeatedly for days at a time. I really want to rub this one in your face. Your lawsuit takes the cake for most asinine lawsuit in Buffalo history. It's even above the lawsuit filed by the Main Place group against 50 Court street.

I really want to live in a real city and projects like this help to push Buffalo forward and out of the 1980s. Unfortunately, its people like you who stop the progress and clog the legal system with frivolous lawsuits. Can you find something better to do with your time?

BTW I'm surprised no one has complained about the lack of first floor retail.

After Reading The Comments Here is the Final Vote:

Pro Development/Condo : 62 Against Development/Wieners: 3

That is All.

To all of you trying to stop development : Move

SNOBBERY AND ELITISM! I see no reason why a variety of scales, textures and materials and styles cannot coexist in this neighborhood (even though they already do). These folks (EricOak, Daniel Sack and al-alo) don't seem to care about "good" design. They only care about "fitting in" with the style that THEY have chosen as the official style.

Richard Lippes ESQ is on the job once again, taking any obstructionist job he can find. Anything to make the almighty dollar Lippes!!! Fight to block the waterfront, the casino, and now a condo. Please save us Richard!!!

BuffaloCook - You said it - only here would we be clamoring for no lawsuits to stop this. How can you possibly sue to preserve the "sunlight and breeze" you currently get in your apartment. This building would be a great thing for Buffalo. This area should be exclusive.

I think city residents should have the right to have development in their city. No time in Buffalo's recent past have so many projects been simultaneously in development.

Well said SLEEPL8 and DanielSack get a life man. No offense man but come on! It's people like you who constantly bring down this great city. It's a real shame!

First - I love the building. I live in a co-op a few blocks south and think it would ADD to my view. I find it ironic that some of the people in the Park Lane are complaining about views and air flow when they live in an 11 story building situated in a predominately 2-3 story single family home neighborhood.

And from what I can see given where the new building would be place, the only views obstructed would be of the hospital. Not exactly a huge loss.

Here's what I think (especially about the PL people): they're afraid of the new building because they've been the big kids on the block with the most desirable address (to some). This new building will take their crown, and open up playing field for those looking for a condo in the city. People looking won't have to settle for a pre-war classic six if their tastes run more modern.

Pretty sweet! Buffalo needs something that looks new and is not brown all the way through.

How can the local residents sign a petition complaining about the view??? Even if all you can see is this building out your window it looks better than 90% of Buffalo. It would be really cool if they built more buildings like this.

So the neighbors would like a more contextual building?.. okay, how about a 16,000 square foot floor plate to 10 stories with a foot print to the property line to match their building. I think they would change their mind when they see the view- a wall and no light.

this is a tower in a park, very le corbusier and very contextual. great project.

After seeing this its very fun to go back and look at the Pano's design. Its like an A student and a D student.

The only way the city will ever grow again is if there is new housing construction in the city. This is the right project in the right area, so far I just don't get the complaints. The architects and designers did a good job of pre-emptively dealing with all the NIMBYs arguments. It hurts so good that the NIMBYs really have no argument now.

Anyone who is opposed to this project is a flat-out idiot. And there is no legal right to a view. And what wonderful view are the opponents going to be losing anyway?

With respect to the prices, it is solely up to the developer to set them. And if they are too high he will be forced to reduce them. But no matter what the ultimate prices are, they will be much higher than any other complex. And this is GREAT for Buffalo, because it will prove that people with ample means are willing to invest in this area. Imagine this happening 15 years ago?

I'm surpirsed nobody has suggested setting aside 10% of the units for Section 8 housing.

No one means to offend. We all think we are right and enjoy and good argument.

THIS PROJECT WILL NEVER HAPPEN - too many retired hairy crotches with too much clout live in the park lane condos - in this town, they can tie up this project for an eternity- only place in the country where a small minority can prevent a project of this magnitude.

just another cool project in a long list - that we can all get excited about then depressed when it falls apart.

Living here is a mind f-ck

THIS CITY WOULD BE SOO COOL IF WE COULD GET JUST A LITTLE DEVELOPMENT

It look's BEAUTIFUL !!! I hope it gets built. And if Elfvin opposes it ..TOO BAD !!! He is old and will die soon. So don't put your "position" in the way of this. Do what is right for "BUFFALO" , not what is best for people living in an old building.

Mercy, folks, I'm not spending a dime on fighting this building. I fully expect it to be built--no petitions or lawsuits for me. I'm not that industrious. This is just one project that I think is wildly overrated...among many. DougK: I think the building is terrifically mediocre. I wish I didn't but my eyes tell me otherwise. And how this is the ticket to a rebirth of Buffalo I just don't understand. It will make a small ding while it deepens the bastardization of Delaware Ave, considered possibly the most beautiful street in the country not all that long ago. The Avenue is now littered with development blunders, building upon building that did little to help Buffalo's tax base or competitiveness in business or architectural tourism. This just makes what is still unique in Buffalo less unique.

Denizen: I believe Gates Circle used to be Chapin Place and I think it was indeed part of Olmsted's parkway design. It was renamed Gates Circle after its redesign by Green & Wicks in 1902. Maybe I am wrong. But it is still the entry to the oldest interconnected Olmsted Parkway system in the country and I think its vistas and textures are best enhanced by the grammar you see there now, minus the hospital and a few smaller mistakes. There are still two single family homes on Gates Circle. The glass tower looks vulgar to me in this overall context...that's just my taste, but if Buffalo wants to be a city known for its architectural and planning legacy while it strengthens its downtown, I think the glass tower at this curve is a mistake. People will come to Buffalo for its history and architecture; whether they will come for its hot business climate is a big if, and I'd rather bet on what makes Buffalo unique rather than on what makes it blend in with every other medium sized city.

HodgePodge--I don't follow how adding more height, traffic, and shadow to Gates Circle makes it more friendly to the pedestrian traffic and park use we're trying to rekindle.

David: I never said Buffalo is like Savannah in style. But I think Buffalo's signature in the future will be a kind of old, historical , other- time essence that you also find in Savannah in a more pronounced way. It should combine this with a thriving, modern downtown, which is always where Buffalo's architectural innovations and adventures took place. They didn't take place in the older residential areas, excpet for FLW's designs, which in scale complemented rather than challenged their neighbours. I think the MOOD of Buffalo has much more in common with older cities like Savannah than with the latest urban fads in Baltimore or Indianapolis or Columbus, and I see no reason why we shouldn't cultivate that essence while we develop the BUSINESS areas of downtown with more contemporary flavor. We could have a graciously complementary balance in Buffalo, but not when you think developers should build what they want anywhere in the city.

Also Denizen: I could not disagree more with your characterization of Buffalo as totally eclectic and random in its architecural lineage. Frank Lloyd Wright thought it the best planned city in the country, and the styles that evolved worked out a complex and soothing harmony up until about 1940. After that, a lot of bad chords came crashing in, and I think this design is just the latest.

And finally, Definite Assertions: thanks for articulating far better than I did how much more nuanced and precise our thinking about design should be in older cities. Yours was by far the best and most acute comment here; that's the kind of thought that will help us debate in a constructive way as we move the city forward.

Its still unbelievable to me that bufallo/wny actually has a market for something like this.

How many high end apt/condos have come onto the market over the past couple of years, and we are still planning for 100's more? Shocked.

But i love it......the fact that uniland and others believe so strongly in this market to invest the millions that they are....really tells you something about our market. what a big change from not to many years ago.

go buffalo.

bbvdm - Im sure Uniland has doen their market research. They wouldn't be spending the money to build these condos if there were no demand. In order for Buffalo to grow economically we will need outsiders with money (who can afford these condos) to come here to do business.

al-alo - Untwist your panties. We all disagree with you because you are wrong. That is all.

I love the design.

Martin - If you can get that petition going I will definitely get my name on it.

How many people who are not already in East Amherst, Getzville or Clarence with enough money to live in one of these places are going to move back into Buffalo? These condos/apartments are way over priced for this area. I love the fact that there are developers willing to invest in this great city, but high end condos? If there were resonably priced condos in the area, maybe that could make a better or greater impact? The look is something I am sure (p)reservationists will object to anyway.

Euclidian, My family, both sides, came from the East side and I worked in the heart of the East side through high school. I had relatives in the worst part of the East side until the mid eighties and friends there until the mid nineties. I know the area well and I also like many streets on the East side. Maybe you don't. Every city I know has scarred, poor neighborhoods, and I have seen far grimmer ones than those in Buffalo. Your sarcasm is a distraction. We're trying to debate the merits of this particular building at this particular site. It's more than possible to be in favor of new development but not support every single project at every site. I enthusiastically supported the hotel on Elmwood. I'm working along with many other folks to bring MORE development to Elmwood Ave (would love to see a modest high rise there). So, why don't we all stick to good argument and debate and leave the sarcasm, the reckless assertions, the character destruction to simpler minds.