Historic preservation tax credits have been a critical component for a number of redevelopment projects in Buffalo. Their use is spreading to the suburbs. Tzetzo Companies is planning to restore the historic Kronenberg Building located at Main and Buffalo streets in the Village of Hamburg.
The long-vacant two-story building, which many feared would be demolished, was purchased by Tzetzo on March 14 for $250,000. It will join a number of newly built and rehabbed properties in the village which has benefited from a Route 62 makeover that added roundabouts, traffic-calming measures and streetscaping.
In 1848, Joseph Kronenberg settled in Hamburg from Switzerland and opened a tin shop on Main Street. His original home and shop (image below) along with several other structures were destroyed by fire in November 1883. A new brick building was erected on the property and was expanded two times during the 1883-1887 period. The three-stage construction resulted in three triangular roof peeks, since removed.
Joseph then sold the business to his son William who went into partnership with Newton Fish to form Fish and Kronenberg, a hardware firm. The Kronenbergs bought out Fish in the late 1920s or early 1930s and the business name was changed to Kronenberg’s Inc. Kronenberg closed its doors in 1961. The building had a number of tenants since Kronenberg shuttered, but has been vacant and deteriorating for several years. The Village of Hamburg fenced off the property last fall after a side wall appeared to be in danger of collapsing. Village residents feared the building was doomed.
Circa-1912
Buffalo-based Tzetzo Cos. saw value in the building and the site. Tzetzo has an extensive development history including the Cathedral Park Tower building on Franklin Street and a number of area health care facilities and nursing homes.
The firm is working with Silvestri Architects on a reuse plan for the building. Preservation Studios and Rochester-based Bero Architecture are working to obtain Historic Preservation Tax Credits.
Plans call for ground floor retail space and second floor offices in the 11,900 sq.ft. building. Work is expected to begin soon and be finished by the end of the year.
Get Connected: Amanda Hinkle, Tzetzo Cos., 716.854.1930; Facebook page