Delaware Avenue downtown is sporting a brighter, fuller look as construction winds down on Uniland’s five-story 285 Delaware office building. The slick 116,818 sq.ft. structure was built on a long-time grassy lot next to WGRZ-TV north of Chippewa Street.
Buffalo architectural firm Hamilton Houston & Lownie designed the $12 million complex. The building features a glass and metal facade with sun shades, a stone base, and a decorative steel overhang. Thirty-four underground parking spaces will be available for tenants.
All four floors of office space have been pre-leased. M&T Bank is taking three floors or 68,000 sq.ft. of space. 250 to 300 bank workers will shortly be moving into the building. Environmental services firm Conestoga-Rovers & Associates will occupy the entire fifth floor in a move and expansion from Main Street.
Tenants have not been announced for any of the 19,330 sq.ft of space on the first floor. Ground floor space features projecting clear-glass storefront bays on both sides of the building’s main entrance. Wells along the street will soon be getting trees to create a pleasant pedestrian experience. At this stage however, there does not appear to be any doors into the commercial space except from the main lobby. Not a good sign.
The public’s perception of a building’s success or failure often is determined by the occupancy of ground level space. Unfortunately on many blocks, the market for downtown retail is questionable or plainly will not work. Downtown has a number of recently completed office and residential buildings that are fully-leased except the retail or commercial space on the first floor. With 285, we are about to find out if the 200 block of Delaware Avenue is a viable area for retail.
Nearby, Uniland is teaming with Acquest Development to purchase and renovate the Dulski Building into a mix of office, residential and hotel space at 200 Delaware Avenue. Preliminary work on that project is underway.
Get Connected: Uniland Development, 716.834.5000