When Elmwood Framing and Interiors (EFI) and The Stuyvesant Gallery moved out of the Stuyvesant Building on Elmwood, I thought that there would be a great opportunity to get another business in the relatively spacious storefront. Seeing that the history of the building positioned it as a luxury hotel built with funds from Darwin Martin (now owned by the State of New York), it would only be appropriate to get the commercial space back up to snuff.
Unfortunately I have heard that the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority (BMHA), as part of its charter, is not able to lease to commercial entities, which means that the space that was formerly the internationally famous Peter Styvesant Room (the cocktail lounge had a glass dance floor), and then a furnishing shop and gallery (when BMHA bought it) might sit vacant… for a very, very long time. The only reason that EFI was able to occupy the commercial space under the management of BMHA was that it was grandfathered in when ownership was transferred to The State.
It would be unfortunate to have such a prime and historic commercial space sit empty due to operational charters of The State/BMHA. Not to say that the space has all of the old charm that it once had during the days of the Peter Styvesant Room… but something could be done to pay proper respects to the golden age of the building and the lounge.
Herb Ellis formed his “Soft Winds Trio” (patterned after Nat King Cole) during a 6-month gig at the Stuyvesant Hotel – see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herb_Ellis. These gigs frequently included Oscar Peterson, who came to Buffalo when Canadian blue laws prevented him from performing there – see www.answers.com/topic/herb-ellis. – CS (reader)
I am told that the BMHA is run by a board with five members appointed the Mayor, with two elected by the residents. There is a director for the building as well. Hopefully an effort can be made to reevaluate the charter so that Elmwood can reclaim a commercial space that deserves a quality tenant, rather than just sitting empty.