Buffalo Rising Online

Sep 30th 2007, 10:04am By queenseyes

For all of you who want to experience loft living in downtown Buffalo, but you have kids and feel a house is where you need to be for now... why not let your kids experience the downtown scene for you? The Webb Building's daycare center was expecting its Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) this past Friday, and the grand opening of the entire building is just around the corner. The last time I had seen the two-floor (and a rooftop) daycare space it was basically a blown-out shell. When I stepped into The Webb on Thursday I was quite taken with the kid-friendly transformation that had occurred in my absence.

Small sinks and tiny potties had been installed in preparation for the youngsters who would soon flood the place. A very contemporary feel has been added - brilliant red free-standing walls and lacquered black cubbies... shiny white poles, and pinpoint spot lighting... brick arches extending from various shaped walls and ceilings. There's even a short roadway that the kids can follow that leads around twists and bends before it ends up at a brilliantly placed mini-stage. A gallery has been added where grown-ups and children can display artwork while spiraling vinyl floors add a whimsical show underfoot. Vincennes Academy will be running the show (click here for details), at the fully restored downtown relic.

From a previous post by Anna Miller: "The daycare center will be a modern spectacle in a historic downtown building, as with most of Termini’s downtown development – including the current offices of Personal Care. But you can credit this “outrageous” design to Marybeth DeJohn, who said Termini embraced her ideas for the space. Termini called their partnership “the perfect marriage.” I’ve always had a very particular vision,” Marybeth said. “I want it to be very dynamic, exciting and respectful to children. They deserve to be in an elegant and luxurious and phenomenal space. I want it to look and feel special. The project is nice all the way around, especially to get the families that do reside outside the city comfortable with the city,” Marybeth said. “To let them know that there are wonderful, viable places in the city that they can be a part of.”

The daycare will accommodate 140 children, aged six weeks to five years. For further information on the Vincennes Academy, click here.