Anyone who has walked by the Hotel Lafayette in recent weeks
has been sure to notice the massive improvements being made on the exterior.
New windows have been installed in the upper floors and the original windows of
the first floor have been restored. Gone is the big blue wall and covered
windows which once dominated the ground floor spaces. Beautiful, natural light
now floods the ballrooms, which look astounding after months of hard work.
Rocco Termini is still very much on schedule for his
official opening of the building later this year on May 1st. Although there have been some minor setbacks,
Termini is forging ahead to make the building the newest downtown gem. Thirty
eight of the one hundred and fifteen residential units have already been pre-leased.
Three floors of residential space have been totally finished, with some small
details being finalized now.
Many of the larger projects have been completed or well on
their way to being done. Much of the work now is focused on the detail work and
there is plenty of detail throughout the building. Plaster molds are still
being cast for the deteriorated elements which are being replaced by the master
craftsman. The small, square marble tiles which are present in many of the
first floor spaces are being replaced where necessary. It’s a labor-intensive
job because each tile needs to be individually laid by hand.
Every time I go to the building I am more and more amazed at
the incredible transformation which is underway. The restoration and reuse of
the iconic historic building is perfect example for why preservation matters,
how it generates jobs, and the impact of bringing a crucial building back from
the brink.
To see additional photos of the Hotel Lafayette, check out my Flickr, Views of Buffalo