Preservation Buffalo Niagara is recognizing outstanding preservation projects and those contributing to preservation efforts at its annual awards ceremony May 30, 11:30 AM in the Statler’s Golden Ballroom. Award categories were established to acknowledge distinguished contributions to our community through preservation activity. Recipients will be recognized in several areas including: preservation craft; rehabilitation/adaptive use; stewardship; neighborhood conservation; planning/reconstruction; and preservation journalism. Buffalo Rising will profile this year’s winners leading up to the event later this month.
878 Main Street is being recognized in the “Rehabilitation/Adaptive Reuse” category.
ZeptoMetrix renovated the mansion at 878 Main Street as its new headquarters. The biotechnology company was selected to redevelop the long-vacant circa-1890 Allentown property in 2006 and purchased the structure from the City for $70,000. The firm’s main facilities are located next door at 872 Main.
Work included restoration of the exterior and rebuilding a front porch, installation of new mechanical systems, and gutting and build-out of the interior of the three-story, 5,010 sq.ft. structure. Plans were prepared by Silvestri Architects.
The project also included a renovation of the firm’s next-door facility at 872 Main Street. That building’s facade has been returned to its original look when it was built in the 1920’s for retail and commercial use.
Bloch Industries, a high end woodworking/milling company based in Rochester owned by a ZeptoMetrix partner and former County Executive Chris Collins, produced the stunning interior woodwork. All of their work utilizes solid woods such as maple, oak, cherry, and mahogany. Bloch used dark stained cherry for the interior of 878 Main.
ZeptoMetrix is a privately held company formed in 1999 to serve the diagnostic and pharmaceutical research products industries. In 2003, the company acquired the BioClinical Partners division of Impath Corporation and a highly complementary and successful partnership was formed.
878 Main joins other recent investment on the high profile Allentown block including The Granite Works project to the south, Eights Bistro at 888 Main and Hospice’s renovated building at 892 Main. Closer to Allen Street, a plan to restore both 916 and 918 Main Street for commercial and residential space is moving forward with work to stabilize the Bosche Building expected to start soon.