A development team comprised of Uniland Development and Delaware North Companies has been selected to redevelop the vacant portion of the Rainbow Centre Mall in Niagara Falls. A 300-room highrise hotel, themed attraction, retail/restaurant space, and expansion of the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute is planned.
The public-private partnership of up to an estimated $150 million, to be supported by Buffalo Billion funding, will transform 200,000 square feet of the former mall into the “Wonder Falls” Resort, a new complex featuring a hotel tower with world-class amenities, restaurants and entertainment facilities including a waterpark. With eight million tourists traveling to Niagara Falls each year, the resort is designed to encourage visitors to extend their stay in the City and view Niagara Falls as more of a year-round destination.
One-third of the long-dead Rainbow Centre mall is back in use. Niagara County Community College’s new $26 million Niagara Falls Culinary Institute opened in 90,000 sq.ft. of space along the southern end of the building. The facility provides instructional space to accommodate up to 1,000 students in NCCC’s culinary arts, hospitality management and tourism/event management programs. Along Old Falls Street fronting where the Wintergarden used to stand there is a student‐operated restaurant and pastry deli facilities, a Barnes and Noble bookstore, and a “Niagara Wine Trail” shop.
“This is the next big step in the transformation of not only the former Rainbow Center Mall, but Niagara Falls as a whole,” Governor Cuomo said.
The proposed project will transform the two-block area of the former shopping mall—largely vacant for more than a decade—into a symbol of revitalization for this globally-recognized destination. Cannon Design is project architect.
The project will be a locally-themed entertainment complex involving an indoor waterpark highlighting natural features in the region; a new hotel tower with rooftop dining; a Daredevil Adventure Center, an indoor family amusement facility; and various other retail and food and beverage venues. Portions of the project will be operated in conjunction with the Culinary Institute.
City of Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster said, “With Governor Cuomo’s support and an increased focus on our city, I am thrilled to see continued progress on getting this project off the ground. Uniland has presented a creative idea for the reuse of the former Rainbow Centre Mall that will further contribute to Niagara Falls as a global destination.”
The Uniland proposal beat out a competing plan from Intertrust Development for an upscale, urban mixed-use entertainment development, which would have included themed franchised restaurants, a retail plaza, attractions, hotel and other amenities. Intertrust is owned by the DiCenzo family, long-time hoteliers on both sides of the border. They were teaming with construction manager LPCiminelli and restaurant owner Landry’s.
The Rainbow Centre project is adjacent to another mixed-use project planned by the Hamister Group. That project, anchored by what is expected to be a Hyatt Place hotel, will include first floor shops and upper level apartments. It is expected to break ground next year.