Robert “Bob the Builder” Sturm continues to leave his distinctive mark upon Buffalo. While he has had a hand in numerous projects, Duende at Silo City is assuredly his most distinctive to date.
In order to create the old world bar/restaurant that exists today, Sturm, under direction of owner Rick Smith, decided that the best tact to take was to honor the legacy of the 1920s American Malting Company office building where Deunde is situated. Instead of tearing everything down, Sturm opted to build it all up, using discarded industrial materials that he found throughout the Silo City campus. The result was/is a remarkable saloon style establishment that looks like it’s been open for a 100+ years.
Sturm’s work remains a masterclass in regenerative design, proving that Buffalo’s industrial legacy is a living canvas to be lived in.
From turning old industrial sifters into tabletop centerpieces to fabricating Duende’s signature bar – wrapped in a 120 year-old green patina garage door and riveted, Sturm recycled and upcycled as much as he could. The result? Duende is, hands down, one of the most “authentic” establishments in the country.
“While we had a passionate vision for what Duende and Silo City could mean for Buffalo, Bob was the crucial component who knew exactly how to make the materials speak,” said Rick Smith, founder of Silo City’s 27-acre campus. “He didn’t just throw up drywall; he left the character of the space intact and gave it a pulse. He gave us our look, our comfort, and our soul.”
Strum is considered the creative force responsible for crafting the rugged, comfortable, and soul-stirring aesthetic that has come to define Buffalo’s historic riverfront hub.
Aside from creating the authentic look and feel of Duende (and the accompanying Watu Cantina), Sturm had a hand in countless other projects at the “Rust Belt oasis,” from stairwells to stages. His design ethos and efforts have helped to enable the complex to become the eco-conscious artistic hub along the Buffalo River that it is today.
Needless to say, Silo City would not be what it is today without the expertise, vision, and hands-on knowhow of Sturm.
On Sunday, October 4, the community is invited to attend a birthday celebration for Bob the Builder, who continues to make an impact on Buffalo’s ever-changing industrial landscape.
As Silo City continues to evolve into a premier destination for live music, poetry, and historical tourism, it remains grounded by the textures, authenticity, and literal framework built by Sturm’s hands.
Event Details:
- What: Celebrating Bob the Builder (Robert Sturm)
- Where: Duende at Silo City, 85 Silo City Row, Buffalo, NY 14203
- Date/Time: His Birthday, Sunday, October 4th, immediately following the Buffalo Bills game until 7:00 PM
- Admission: Free and open to the public / Cash bar
Members of the community and visitors alike are invited to grab a drink, toast the artist himself on his Sturm’s birthday, and experience his incredible craftsmanship firsthand at Duende.
Get connected: Silo City and Duende | 85 Silo City Row, Buffalo, NY 14203