The New York chapter of the Urban Land Use Institute (ULI), the premier organization for creating responsible land use and sustainable communities worldwide, has selected Uniland Development Company’s “The Delaware North Building” as a 2017 Awards for Excellence in Development finalist. The Delaware North Building project is one of only two mixed-use developments to be chosen as finalists; the other is City Point in Brooklyn. The awards will be held in New York City in April.
ULI is an independent global nonprofit supported by members of real estate development and land use professions. David Stebbins, vice president of the Buffalo Urban Development Corporation, is an awards committee member who reviewed the entries. Mr. Stebbins said, “The Delaware North Building’s design excellence and exceptional mixed-use program made it a worthy finalist among other finalists from New York City. Our ULI members from Western New York are proud to have this project represent our local development community.”
The Delaware North Building, named for global hospitality company Delaware North, Uniland’s project partner and anchor tenant, is a high-density, mixed-use complex whose exterior design exhibits a seamless marriage of historic and modern elements. The result is an iconic building for the City that enhances street life, draws people in, and provides exceptional spaces to serve many functions.
The 12-story building offers modern and efficient office space in the top five floors, the region’s first Westin Hotel on floors 2-5 and an upscale restaurant, bar and catering facility. An adjacent six-level parking garage with street-level office and retail spaces round out the campus. The project was selected based on several factors, including: innovation in planning and design, environmental sustainability, acceptance in the marketplace, and promoting land use for the betterment of the community.
“This is an incredible honor and a validation of Uniland’s work to promote high-density and complimentary uses that not only reinvigorate the Central Business District and enhance a neighborhood but add significant tax revenues,” said Uniland Vice President Michael Montante.
The project’s chief objective was to provide larger floor plates for the business community, integrate USGBC LEED® Silver standards, and create a vibrant user experience. While the parking garage is necessary for users of the 330,000 square-foot building, it provides public parking for other downtown businesses, especially those in the bordering Entertainment District. The complex offers improved aesthetic access to mass transit, encourages cycle-commuting with 40 bike parks, and provides shower facilities to refresh for work.
“Delaware North and the Jacobs family are proud of our new footprint in the city – especially with the recent openings of The Westin Buffalo, Patina 250 and Jake’s Café – and we’re excited about the great reaction we’ve been getting from our community,” said Dan Zimmer, vice president of corporate finance and development at Delaware North. “The building has also played a significant role in enhancing Delaware North’s brand image in Buffalo and for the many clients, business partners and employees who visit from around the world.”