Great Space: Genesee Gateway


This is not the first time the Wendt Foundation has been involved in a historic preservation project. In 1993, the foundation helped buy and restore East Aurora’s Roycroft Inn, an $8 million undertaking. Douglas G. Swift, president of the non-profit Roycroft Revitalization Corporation, is a also CityView Properties partner.
Genesee Gateway will feature 50,000 sq.ft. of renovated space plus 10,000 sq.ft. of new construction, primarily in a new four-story structure to be built mid-block on a vacant parcel. A landscaped rooftop terrace for tenants may be added.
CityView hopes to attract retailers and restaurants to the project's ground floor. A bar in the Werner Building (99-101 Genesee) appears to be drink-ready. According to a previous owner, the bar was obtained from a closed suburban Charlie Bubbles restaurant (photo above). One lucky tenant is going to be occupying the space behind the waterfall windows in the Werner in what will be one of downtown’s most unique offices (below).
“We believe that there will be significant interest in this project due in part to its highly visible location, and, like LCo, tenants will be interested in being a part of a development that represents a positive step in Buffalo’s growth,” says CityView partner Douglas G. Swift.
CityView, which purchased the properties last fall, has retained Flynn Battaglia Architects, PC to prepare the restoration plan. The firm has overseen a number of local preservation and reuse projects including restoration work at the Guaranty Building, Babeville, Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, and St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Flynn Battaglia takes a contextual design approach which benefits the surrounding environment. According to the firm, the property must not only be functional for users and occupants, but it must also be a pleasing experience to the general public.
“We focus on the places between the places,” says partner Ronald Battaglia, FAIA. “Our goal is to make the project a place people are interested at being at.”
Get Connected: CityView's Donna Kostrzewski at 716.856.8400 x109

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gaustad
Only took 30 years, but better late than never!
This is going to be very cool when it is finished......I think we can say that Buffalo has finally turned the corner.
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300miles
Great News! I didn't expect to see construction start this summer for this project.
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PaulBuffalo
This news made my day. Thank you, Wendt Foundation.
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Smashingt2312
Awesome news.
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Hoss
The Wendt Foundation, huh? First they help try to shut down the casino racket, now they are the backbone for restoring this most amazing and worthwhile property? Every time I pass this property, I hope, and dream, and wonder...
Fantastic!!! An outfit that really seems to care about actual progress in the city of no illusion.
Thank you, thank you, thank you...
Now if we can get them to help overhaul the local school system, we'll affect some real long term change for generations to come.
Where can I send a donation?
Really!!!
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kooksapalooza
they have any set plans for layouts or tenants yet? I hope it turns out great
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WCPerspective
Gaustad, is that really you?
Kooks- See the "genesee gateway" link in the third paragraph for floorplans.
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GDC
I'm excited and glad to hear about the infill over an empty lot. How rare to hear that. Can't wait to see it finished and hear who moves in.
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hamp
Great project. Thank you Wendt Foundation.
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sbrof
My friends and I have wanted to live behind that waterfall window for years! What a view and what a great project this is going to be for the region and city! But I guess it is too bad that we didn't take these eyesoars down for parking.. cause I mean, once something is vacant is always will be right?!?
Maybe it is beating a dead horse but the next time something falls into disrepair I hope we can collectively understand that securing and mothballing structures is a very viable way to protect safety, history and development opportunities. Notice how almost 0 new projects are done on shovel ready sites. The last one I can think of was the other CityView project on Chippewa and Main. We need our old building because they are the were development can afford to happen. New Construction is too expensive a justification for a city like Buffalo (for now)
Either way I REALLY hope they give tours of this place before renting it out. What a project! Today is a good day.
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bfloarchguy
Dam! As a kid when downtown I always loved the "waterfall" windows and thought one day I would live there. Maybe I could convince the wendt people to turn that place into a condo instead! In any event, looking forward to seeing this block nice and refurbished!
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mbhxam
bfloarchguy...money talks and everything can be had for the right price...i'm kidding (but not really)...what a great place to live...bradys down the block and billy o's golden swan not that far away...two of buffalo's finest drinking establishments!
oh yeah, a bit off topic...but...couldn't help but notice in this morning's buffalo news that the preservationists (?) are starting to make noise about the facade of the aud.......................
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stephenjames716
great news! I have always marveled at those windows and that block in general. this will be a great addition to that part of the city. it will be a showpiece for those taking the exit off the 33 into downtown. in time it would be nice to see the empty land across from the IS lofts turned into a park as well and really get that area going.
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bboozehound
Hey WCP,
Sorry to post off topic but awhile back you had a post about a penisula in the outer harbor that had been purchased. Your original post had the wrong penisula with a grain elevator on it. You corrected the post but said that you would have an update coming soon on the penisula with the grain elevator on it. Any news on that site?
As far as this post goes, great news!
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blackrocklifer
Great to see this moving forward. I took notice of this block back in the late 70's when Genesee St. was still pretty much intact heading out of downtown. Genesee east of Michigan Ave. contained many similar buildings that were in pretty good shape and presented a very nice streetscape. I remember thinking what great potential this street had but sadly one by one these interesting old buildings were demolished. A few remain today but do not give a sense of the density and variety that has been lost.
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DJB
I can't believe it! I thought this building was going to be torn down years ago and wondered if anyone would take the financial risk to attempt a rehab. I would be surprised if this space is available for long - it is such a great location (minutes from the 33 and 190) and would be an impressive headquarters for any business. Many thanks to the Wendt Foundation.
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blackrocklifer
Great to see this moving forward. I took notice of this block back in the late 70's when Genesee St. was still pretty much intact heading out of downtown. Genesee east of Michigan Ave. contained many similar buildings that were in pretty good shape and presented a very nice streetscape. I remember thinking what great potential this street had but sadly one by one these interesting old buildings were demolished. A few remain today but do not give a sense of the density and variety that has been lost.
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comptart_lws
still catching my breath on this news (ditto what sbrof said and, add my thanks to Wendt)
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wizardofza
Awesome news! Now let's hope the city does its share and kicks in a badly needed re-design of the roadway: extended sidewalks, planters, bike lanes, ect. would be great. In its current condition, Genesee is an obsolete relic of the DOT's "car uber alles" road design era.
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RFranke
If all our leadership exhibited the vision, conviction, pride and action showed routinely by the Wendt Foundation, this city would turn around rapidly and profoundly. Great project and many thanks to Wendt.
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buffaloweiner
Once this Genessee Gateway Project is completed,.....
Is there anyone who is going to stand up and ask for the Hyatt to get rid of the atrium and reopen Genessee Street?
Furthermore, isnt it really about time the Hyatt followed the Dulski and became mixed use office and residential instead of a hotel!
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Andrew
Great project but its such a shame that there isnt going to be any residental
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fill
The photos of the interior of the Werner building are fascinating indeed. The top floor with it's extraordinary north light seems as though it should be an artist's studio.
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MJWorthington
Long range planes need to put heavy consideration into removing the Hyatt Atrirum (if not the Hyatt itself since Delaware is becomeing the hotel hot spot - go residential), Convention Center, and Family Court Garage allowing Genesse to go straight through towards the water again. All future plans should be dirven to this goal. although it would take years to acomplish. Small steps will get us there.
This project is another of those smaller pieces that will add to our city and quality of life. Someday hopefully we'll see infill with hidden parking on the parking lot bewteen the Washington Market and The Market Arcade.
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fill
Oh, and that bar on the first floor of the Werner almost rivals the "Shining Light" bar formerly in Broadway and now in the Ellicottville Brewery.
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GDC
I remember attending a meeting held by the city and Buffalo Place (Cars sharing Main Street) at ECC City Campus with someone there at the meeting saying that part of the Main Street reconfiguring will include the Hyatt moving it's Atrium over to the other side (Pearl @ Huron St.) and allowing traffic on Genesse St. again......What Happend to that promise?
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tonyarmani
looks awesome - can't wait until the bar is working...let me know and ill be down there makin the best martinis you've ever had
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RonR
Does anyone know if there are plans for the parking lots and vacant buildings across the street from this site?
I know I am a dreamer but this area has a lot of potential because of the vacant lots. It could be the Buffalo version of 5 points.
I would love to see the 3 large parking lots eventually converted to something. Even the back corner of the Electric tower could have a parking deck with a condo/retail skin facing Ellicott and Genesee.
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GDC
I would LOVE to see more infills in this area and all over Downtown. How freakin great it would be to walk past a FILLED downtown instead of endless parking lots and cars.
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orlanmon
OMG more progress, incredible block of unique buildings, the Werner building is completely unique, maybe this can be Buffalo's version of King Street in downtown Toronto; quaint ecletic patio bars, cafes, and restaruants. Well at least we don't have to worry about any Federa District Judge ruling on this project before it can move forward.. or do we:)
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al-alo
i saw this on craigslist:
http://buffalo.craigslist.org/off/766309984.html
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vgs
How great would the large M&T lot be as a Public Park/Gardens with two levels of underground parking. The space could be a smaller version of Bryant Park in NYC with Kiosks (food, coffee and magazines), chess tables, movies, concerts and exhibits.
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carl
that has got to be one of the best under utilized buildings in all of buffalo...
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GDC
I woul luv to see a mix of buildings take over the M&T lots (BOTH Of Them) with residents, office, and first floor activity like another Movie Theater? Theme Restaurants? Unique Retail? and so on.
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RonR
I know it is not in the cards but maybe in 10 years for the very BIG M&T lot...
I say find a way for them to build a residential tower. Have M&T be serviced by 3-4 levels of below grade parking. Street level could be retail other things on the skin. Behind the skin and going 4 stories up would be parking for the tower. Floors would not start until the 5th floor and have one hell of a view.
Wachovia has a similar setup in Charlotte but it is an office tower not residential.
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GDC
I don't care if it's all office or all residential, BUILD SOMETHING over those Large a** lots.
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Colin
GDC --
Who are you asking to build something?
I mean, it's not just you -- people say similar things all the time on here -- but if something is going to be built, it's gonna be a developer. If one of these guys felt like he could make money building there, wouldn't it already be happening?
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livesintheburbsworksinthecity
Simple economics: something will be built on those lots when it is more profitable to have a building there than a parking lot. Until that time comes, they will remain parking lots.
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GDC
But I thought in this town, Parking is always more profitable.....?????
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GDC
And let's all watch and see which buildings near this project City View or other wants to knock down in order to provide parking for the tenents of this complex. We should all know by now that for every new development, a building or two comess down for parking.
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pgf1948
When you love a place and believe in a place, all is possible.
I am interested in the internal dynamics. What makes the movers and shakers of the Wendt Foundation so at ease with this particular investment?
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mybuffalo
first this side, THEN across the street.. this is a perfect end to chippewa i see this as a more laid back string of bars/cafes/patios like brady's to compliement chippewa
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sonyactivision
Well the Wendt Foundation certainly came up trumps with this redevelopment. Imagine what an extra $2 million could have done for those exteriors!
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