Buffalo Rising Online

i feel like the top picture is one of those "Can you find 12 things different between the two photos" games.

So far I only see the guy.....

jk

nascar- please recheck your information about the vacancy of the residential there....'most if not all'? You had the 'all' correct- 'all' of the units are leased. As is 'all' of the office space next door. And, there are two parties interested in the corner retail space. Who says? The owner.

@Wizard: "$2000+ a month??" Is that a question or are you saying the units here are priced over $2000/month. Because they are not. I love how all the sideliners pull numbers out of their arse to make a point. Follow your own advice: "Stick to simple facts."

@Nascar: "huge waste of money"- maybe you have that opinion because you don't have the money to actual 'do' and 'waste?'

Someone puts up his own money, does a top-notch job on a highly visible yet long ignored corner, and the whiners that complain nothing ever happens throw mud at the guy. Nice going.

nascar why would you think they are vacant? Sorry but you are wrong. And once those people have been there a while along with new development happening around it places like the pawn shop will have to follow their lost clients.

To answer the questions in the article: Unfortunately, No.

I believe the man in the top photo is actually of former QB legend Jim Kelly....he appears to be.killing some waiting for somebody but that is merely a guess.

platt4: "Someone puts up his own money, does a top-notch job on a highly visible yet long ignored corner, and the whiners that complain nothing ever happens throw mud at the guy. Nice going."

SO TRUE!

this could be a real classy block.

I thought I'd chime in here since I'm the owner. Yes, I took a chance on a great old building in a semi-sketchy part of town (although right on Lafayette Sq. and across from the Central Library really ain't so bad). But anyway, I put a ton of money into the building - my money, no handouts, no subsidies, etc. Some would say dumb, but I'm optimisitc about Buffalo and believe it is coming back - so I made the investment. It definitely took longer and cost more than originally anticipated, took longer to rent up, and the rents are lower than expected (people are correct about the market - it won't support the high rents needed for a major rehab project). Its almost fully rented up now and making a positive cash flow; certainly not getting rich on it, but I look at it as a long term investment. I also take some pride in saving an architectural gem. It will pay for itself, spin off a little income, and appreciate along with the market, and someday my kids will reap the benefits. Still working on filling the ground floor storefronts and have some interested parties for a cafe, coffehouse, deli. Never would have thought it would be so hard to get a coffehouse/cafe in that space - it is perfect for it - and in any other city Starbucks or similar would trip over themselves for it. I am confident that will happen in the coming months - but I've learned things move slowly in Buffalo, so we'll see. I'm still confident in the neighborhood/Buffalo and will likely invest in more properties in the area as they become available. My pawnshop neighbors are great and have never had a problem. So that's the story - thanks for all the positive words and constructive and not so constructive criticisms - good that people find it interesting enough to even comment on. All for now.

Roger Trettel

i think they should open a store on the street level and sell butter lambs

Martin do you work for the butter lamb company?

I kind of liked the Wines and Liquor painted sign in the top picture - very boho!

Great job Roger! Hopefully the market will allow you or someone else to begin filling in around your gem to make this a true neighborhood. One day perhaps the whole spine of Ellicott Street will be residential, from the Inner Harbor to the Medical District. I've seen it happen elsewhere.

Is that really an EG Tax office in the building or a clever Photoshop? They are everywhere---EG Tax in Western New York is like Starbucks in Manhattan, you can't go anywhere without seeing one!

I luv the restoration work, This building reallly stands out now as well as the building behind it (just seen the photo/story yesterday on BR). And did anyone else know that there are more Luxury Lofts just down the street on Broadway near Michigan St.? I just found out from browsing the BuffaloPlace.com website , who knew? So, it seems this end of Downtown actually is coming back to life. Great Job, Guys.

I really don't care about luxury lofts, I really think that we need additonal EG Tax outlets. Do you know that more than 75% of the population relies on others to help them with their taxes? This would be a huge benefit downtown if we had more places to help people do their taxes.

Way to Go Roger! Great optimism and a beautiful building! Pawn shops get a bad rap. On a dare, I worked in a friend's pawn shop one summer. I had a blast! It was not the stereotypical dark film noir environment we associate with them. They provide a service for those who might be considered disenfranchised in the context that they don't have banks or credit. Believe it or not, many middle class people (especially real estate sales people) frequent them for short term loans while they are waiting for an escrow to close. Most people do return and pick up their mechandise. It's an expensive way to do things, but in a pinch, they are a life line.

Nascar, out of curiosity, how many people do you think actually live downtown? My question is sincere. I would like to know what the predominant form of housing is. I also would like to know where downtown denizens shop for groceries, how you get around, where you park, and if you venture out at night?

The restoration looks great. Its good to see people taking chances in areas that may not be the best but can surely develop into something. We need more people like roger to undertake these projects in order to revitalize the city. Excellent work.

Roger, thank you for having brass balls. Sticking your neck out for an investment like this speaks volumes to the community and outside development. I have seen interior photos, the apts are beautiful.

It is too bad however, that you can not find a good commercial tenant for the first floor....one drawback of investing in downtown, I suppose.

I have not doubt you will make money long term.

What do you mean gaustad? I think that EG Tax is a great commercial tenant for the first floor. Did you know that most people need help with their taxes? What would you rather have, another Starbucks or maybe another restaurant that serves overpriced entrees?