Ciminelli Real Estate Corporation’s proposed medical office building on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus is being shifted west to Main Street. Previous plans called for a medical office tower at High and Ellicott streets on the site of the 50 High Street office building that was demolished in 2007. The new location on Main between High and Goodrich is currently occupied by surface parking and a one-story medical building that will be demolished. The eastern portion of the block is earmarked for future development.
Ciminelli officials say the building, which is still in the design stage, will serve as the ‘face’ of the north end of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. The proposal kicks-off plans for the campus’ north end and will help link the campus to the Allentown neighborhood. At least two floors of below ground parking are planned, with additional levels possible if soil conditions allow. The building will be from five to seven floors depending on demand and have a footprint of approximately 60,000 square feet. Ground floor retail space is planned.
“The building will be much more than a traditional medical office building,” explains Timothy Vaeth, Vice President of Development at Ciminelli. “Kaleida will locate an ambulatory surgical facility in the building as well as other patient services. We have had very strong interest to date from other doctor groups and institutions.”
“One of our biggest challenges is to ensure we develop a state-of-the-art, first-class medical facility while being mindful of our presence on Main Street,” he explains. “One of the reasons for our move to Main Street is to make connections with the existing infrastructure, including mass transit. We are exploring the possibilities that exist with our close proximity to the light rail as well as our new accessibility on Main Street.”
This integration with the light rail platform could provide a direct link between UB’s South Campus and medical campus buildings, and be in line with original goals for the transit system, which envisioned high-density new development around each of the stations.
Planners are exploring the possibility of linking the light rail platform to the building through an underground gateway. Talks are currently underway with the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority. Ciminelli is also planning an aboveground connection to nearby Buffalo General Hospital.
A possible LEED Gold status is another highlight of this project. A Gold level certification would surpass that of the Silver rating attained by the Burchfield Penney Art Center. The federal courthouse in Niagara Square is also anticipating a LEED Gold rating.
In July, a subsidiary Ciminelli Real Estate Corporation purchased the Langston Hughes Institute property at 33 High Street. Plans for that property have not been disclosed.
Get Connected: Ciminelli Real Estate Corporation, 716.631.8000