Architect In Search Of 'Needy' Brick Structure
Every so often I receive an email from someone who requests information on moving to Buffalo. 'Where are the restaurants located? I'm looking for walkability. I want to be near live music.' Those sort of requests. Then there are times when a note pops up that is a bit more specific regarding details about the reasons for wanting to move to Buffalo... you know... a story. Well, here's one from an ex-Buffalonian whose name is Paul. He's heading back home and he wants to know if the BRO readers can help him find what something in particular. After I originally read the request I thought to myself, "There has to be a property on the West Side (certainly the East Side) that is in need of someone like Paul. If you can steer Paul in the right direction, please send an email and we'll make sure that it gets to him. Maybe we can help to save a struggling brick structure at the same time. Here's his request:
Hello,
I'm regularly enjoying a daily dose of Buffalo-related information from Buffalo Rising Online. In searching the archives, I came across an article dated June 16, 2005 in which you offered some input/assistance in finding housing for soon-to-be-Buffalonians.
I'm not sure if the offer still stands, but if it does I'll give you some particulars on my situation and what I'm looking for. My name is Paul and although I lived in East Aurora many years ago, I've been living in Santa Rosa, California for a number of years now. I have worked as a carpenter, contractor, and am a licensed Architect. I'm currently working as an architect for a County agency but am looking to take early retirement in January 2008 (although I had never set a goal to work in a bureaucratic setting, I find that my unintended tenure has now provided me with a reasonable retirement package – a not-too-common situation for most architects).
After a bit of soul-searching, and much disgust with the rampant uncontrolled growth out here, I've decided to relocate back to Western New York (I still have family in East Aurora and Buffalo. To this end, I'd like to find a property in Buffalo that I could put my architectural and building skills to work on. My ideal project would be a brick building (in reasonable structural repair but not needing to have much in the way of interior improvements) that could accommodate at least two housing units - perhaps additional room for rental unit/s, and definitely some warehouse-type open area's for a metal working/carpentry shop and music studio/performance space. Some adjacent land or vacant lot that could be part of the purchase for an urban garden would also be part of the ideal package.
I've never lived in Buffalo, but was back there in early September to visit the Massachusetts Ave. area on the West side and I'd like to concentrate my search somewhere in that general vicinity (a smaller version of the Griffis Studio building on Essex would be perfect). I don't need to be in a "gentrified" neighborhood but would like to be at least in an area that will likely improve and not decline. I may be a bit behind the curve relative to finding something to meet my various housing particulars but figure it's a good time to start looking.
Thanks in advance for any input that your readers might provide.
Best regards, Paul
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Vylit
I think there was a place that is around the Jersey/York area off of Richmond that has been for sale for some time. It looks like it was an older horse barn and storage garage. It is very close to Symphony Circle and I believe it is in pretty decent shape.
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comptart_lws
Vylit: that's the first think that came to my mind too! The building is on Jersey, the first one west of Richmond Ave and IS FOR SALE (or so the sign would indicate). I drive by it almost every day and will try to jot down the ph number and get it to Paul.
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Jefferson
204 High Street and 16 Harwood on the East Side. However, they were on last week's auction (of which I can find no coverage). Maybe someone else knows their current status.
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gardenwalker
That is a great building, an old livery stable. Problem is that it used to be a gas station and could have some serious environmental issues
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jroger
Unfortunately that building on Jersey Street has a bad roof and is rotten to the core. Roof trusses, floor decking, and joists all rotten.
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chrish
The Lynch Livery stable on Riley Street and Holland Place. The Joseph Denzel Tavern on Michigan Avenue and Riley Street.
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al-alo
Hey I cant believe it took me this long to think if a place. its right in the heart of the Hertel on Tacoma btwn Norwalk and North Park.
actually, i mean places. its two side by side twin former storefronts. dont think the traditional storefronts. they are seperated by an alley for access to a rear back yard/garage. one has its origianal slate roof, the other seems to have had it replaced. The buildings exteriors look to be in decent shape. No spalling/missing brick that i can recall. however, they are pretty much boarded up, and may have been gutted on the interior.
each blg could easily be 1 very large or 2 decent sized lofts w/ potential rear parking and or garden.
but i think it might meet you needs, although not exactly in the locale you sought. but i can give you a long list why north buffalo is a good time too.
if you like i could fwd some pics your way, and i could sneak around to the back alley. the city site is a little squirrely right now, but ill get you the owners name and see if i can dig up the contact info.
good luck.
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georgethomasapfel
An aerial view of the properties al-alo was referring to- 467 & 469 Tacoma
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al-alo
What the hell, georgethomasapfel!
do you have a hot air ballon on call? where and how did u find that pic so fast?
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sbrof
I know this isn't exactly the type of place he is looking for and probably much heavier of a lift but how about one or two of the buildings on Main Street are that in dire need or some love and creative reuse. The would offer him a lot of space, for units if he desired and the need to completed repair and re(think) the roof could provide him with a urban garden on the new roof :) See it could be unique to Buffalo and sustainable. And if we helped maybe he could even get them for free... lord knows the city isn't going to do anything good with them. Don't know he he has that kind of money or will power but what architect doesn't like:
1. A good challenge 2. An open slate (besides the facade) 3. To become an instant community hero... ;) (gotta play on the ego of people a little right?)
Another option would be any number of homes north of Allen on Franklin or N Pearl which really need some help and have over lived their usefulness and rooming houses.
Or at the corner of Main and North, the old Bryant and straton buildings could be a good fit for someone wanting a ton of space plus room for units. Look at what Frank F. Did with similar buildings on Main Street from a previous post.
There are just TONS of buildings to offer him. Ohh got another good one, maybe the structure on aprospect and Virginia? Probably more to his liking. Beautiful brick home, big enough for a couple units + what ever he wants. Close to downtown and in a stable part of the west village but still cheap enough to give him some extra loan money to do what he wants. I don't know about the condition of the inside though.
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Charger
If I'm not mistaken the livery stable on Jersey is part of the greater Freudenheim real estate empire. As such it will receive no maintenance, be priced to sell at a price vastly exceeding it's value, and only change hands through foreclosure. Very sad, but Paul should definitely look into it.
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icecreamsub
not having an exact piece of property in mind.........Main Street anywhere between Amherst/Edward should have some prospects......especially around where the old little Record Theatre was across from the former New Pink.....a little bit iffy hood but at least there's some good things happening again on Main
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georgethomasapfel
Just hopped into my personal hovercraft and .... OK, I'll fess up... I used Windows Live maps, select "birds eye view" then print screen and cropped it. Just as good as a hot air balloon!
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al-alo
i just learned the computer. so i have trouble with these things.
really thou, i guess i have to go and play with live maps. i just hope that it cant see into my bathroom window, it seems to be on the right angle.
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Vylit
Too bad that livery barn is rotting. That would be a great shell and the area is definately on the upswing. Although since it has been for sale for so long (2+ years, right guys?) maybe the owner would sell so cheaply that it would be worth Paul putting in some extra work. I think people that are refurbishing the homes in that area are definately going to make a profit in the next few years. Kicking myself for not buying there 1 year ago... :)
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Denizen
Hey now, the Freudenheims brought my grandma to Buffalo after she escaped Germany in the late 30s. If it wasn't for that family, I would have never been born.
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MRodgers
george and al-alo, I've been in these two structures when I was working for Housing Court and they are a freakin mess. One actually should have a demo inspection - just very unsafe and unstable. I think they still may be in court but unsure. The other had some work done in it, but has structural issues, as well.
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georgethomasapfel
Marilyn, sounds like they may only be suitable candidates for Buffalo ReUSE. It probably is too late now, but I noticed in the September 22 auction a number of old firehouses were up for grabs...there you would have plenty of space, masonry construction, and an added bonus of being able to slide down the pole!
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chris69
by the way what is happening with St Vincents Orphanage and the German Roman Catholic Orphange. Two very distinguished buildings in need of redevelopment.
any news on the graystone or that other building next to the redjacket that had its roof collapse?
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al-alo
Marilyn,
tell me about 'em! what is the deal with the owner? whats the structural issues? the from the outside, exterior walls look sound. are the structural failures the roof trusses? the floor joists? i can clearly see that the windows are pretty much all broken.
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NorthPark
George, al-alo & Marilyn - I've been in both the of the Tacoma Ave. buildings a few times and actually live in the direct neighborhood. The building with the slate roof is a cool building and in decent condition with no major structural issues. There has been renovation work that has started and stopped a few times since I've been there - no action recently. The other building was a major mess a few years ago, as Marilyn mentioned, but since has been stabilized with a new roof, new but unfinished bay window along the alley and some masonry work. The interior of this one is still a mess and would be a costly but not impossible rehab.
In talking w/ some older neighbors, these are both former Ma & Pop storefronts - one used to be a candy store and the other a deli/grocery. Cool and otherwise stable neighborhood - one block from Hertel. These properties could be pretty neat if someone with vision and know-how acquired them.
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queenseyes
Thanks to everyone that sent an email. Keep them coming. I sent everything to Paul along with all of your contact information. Oh, and I have not found out if Paul is single yet (that was very sweet).
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al-alo
Hey NP, im guessing we are neighbors. im over on the middle block o' norwalk.
ive heard the same thing about the origins of the building. i think one was an auto repair place there once. ive had the same thoughts about them. theyd make sweet condos, even if they were a gut job. in a lo t of ways that makes it easier to retrofit.
on that note, does anyone know who might have bought the former korean meth on the corner with colvin?
and for clarity's sake, it wasnt i who asked about pauls singlehood. not that there is anything wrong with that.
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beeler
I can’t thank all of you enough for your responses to my inquiry about finding a home/project in Buffalo. I’ve been a faithful Buffalo Rising reader since deciding that an eastward pilgrimage was in order and have enjoyed learning more and more about Buffalo and its inhabitants through this web site. I appreciate the passion that people feel about Buffalo and am looking forward to becoming part of the community before too long. I will follow up on all the great leads that you have generously provided me. Thanks again for your support and great suggestions.
Paul
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Frankster
There's a lovely, vacant brick Italianate with brick additions at High & Maple near the Bufalo Niagara Medical Campus.
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mycrows
Jefferson and Frankster mentioned the one that came to mind for me: 204 High St. Former doctor's office I've heard, which makes sense in its proximity to the hospital. It's on the verge of a shady neighborhood, and it's pretty far from Massachusetts Ave, but as far as potential for housing and workshop space you should definitely check it out. It was part of the city property auction on Sept 22, of which everything sold, but that doesn't meant that the person who bought it actually wants it.
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mycrows
As far as needy brick structures go, I think the price is right on the pictured building (St Vincent's Orphanage). You could probably pick it up for a dollar, literally.
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skarnath
frankster - i believe you are referring to 204 high st. i looked at it this morning. it was listed as one of the city-owned properties to be sold at auction on september 22nd. not sure if anyone bought it, and auctionsinternational.com website hasn't posted the auction results. jim pitts had expressed interest. there is a picture of the property on a previous BRO post that focused on 399 franklin - http://www.buffalorising.com/story/demo_planned_for_399_franklin there are pictures, slideshow & info on david torke's website: http://fixbuffalo.blogspot.com/2006/09/one-block-from-medical-corridor.html
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NBJOHN
does that firehouse at Jersey Street and Plymouth Avenue have any life left - Or the closed firehouse by in black rock on amherst, or the one arcoss from papa jakes?
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Denizen
I also recommend the old stable on Jersey. Sounds like this one is actually in the neighborhood he is interested in.
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Marti
Hi Paul -- love to have you back! You are exactly the kind of folk we are hoping will return -- sleeves rolled up, looking for ways to make a difference. Are you aware of the recent closure of 17 churches by the Catholic Diocese? We will soon be scrambling for ways to reuse and repurpose these glorious structures while preserving their architectural integrity and historical significance. How's that for an enticing architectural challenge?? We have several terrific examples of this already in Buffalo (Ani's Delaware Asbury Church (aka Babeville), condos at Richmond and Bryant, both Karpeles museums/libraries, etc...) -- as well as some very tragic examples of what happens when we fail to get creative and let these building rot (i.e., Transfiguration). And while you are conducting your searchand weighing the options, be sure to check out www.buffalobychoice.com, where those of us who are here by choice celebrate the city, and those who are not here but wish they were figure out how to get here. Sign up for the bi-weekly newsletter while there, and keep in touch with Buffalo while you figure how and where you will make your mark here.
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al-alo
hey i saw St. John the Baptist church up for grabs in Riverside:
http://freenet.buffalo.edu/bah/a/hertel/60/tc.html
i ve forgotten who listed it, and i cant seem t find it online. but as far as buildings go, this one is pretty sexy.
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georgethomasapfel
Paul, I see you've already discovered that Buffalo truly lives up to it's name as the "city of good neighbors." Just like you, I am escaping from the rampant uncontrolled growth of the West Coast (Las Vegas) to return home. Seeing the passion people like Marti have for our city reaffirms my decision to relocate back home.
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