[westcoastperspective]

I've been talking to a few realtors about the city real estate market- demand in the Elmwood Village is as high as it as ever been but there's a lack of product. Some are being priced out and moving to N. Buffalo, a few others are pushing west of Richmond if they have a pioneering spirit. Other buyers are just waiting.

So-

How much longer are other developers going to let Johnson/Frizlen/Ferdman corner the Elmwood Village market? They have two projects done (Brantford THs and 504 Elmwood) and four planned (Elmwood Village Condos, KFC site, Lafayette THs, and the school conversion at 257 Lafayette). A little competition would be good to push design, get more infill done, and bring more units to market.

And, what can the city do to encourage buyers to look at marginal neighborhoods, if anything?

[shovel_ready]

:previous: Absolutley. Things have never looked better in my neighborhood. I never remember streetlife being this vibrant on Elmwood, it has a definite big-city vibe. I'm wondering when there will be enough momentum to start infilling some of the gaps between commercial nodes.

For the "supply problem", there's a plethora of cheap fixer-uppers just west of Richmond, as you mention. Factor renovation costs ontop of the inexpensive sale price and the numbers are still doable for buyers earning a modest salary. Homes on streets like Auburn or Breckenridge between Richmond and Baynes are still a very quick walk to Spot and the co-op.

[steel]

The problem with Buffalo (and any city not in the top tier) is that once demand grows so grows demand for parking and you end up with a Panos situation where business start killing the golden goose by making more parking.

Frizlen's architecture may leave much to be desired but he does understand how to keep the parking out of sight.

[BUFFALOVE!!]

This is great. More students should do this

Medaille freshmen get a lesson in the many wonders of downtown
from the b-lo news

http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/buffaloerie/story/428083.html

[chevy064]

This is great. More students should do this

Medaille freshmen get a lesson in the many wonders of downtown
from the b-lo news

http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/buffaloerie/story/428083.html

Just goes to show that when you get people to actually see Buffalo - they see that it is very different from all the negative stereotypes they hear from people who have never even been there.

Great article - thanks.

[homestar]

And, what can the city do to encourage buyers to look at marginal neighborhoods, if anything?
The city needs to focus on the basics to improve the nearby neighborhoods: Improve infrastructure (streets, lights, sidewalks, trees), and Reduce crime. The should start with streets closest to EV and work outward. North and South of Elmwood are doing OK on their own. East and West need help. Unfortunately Main St. forms a pretty hard border for people to cross, so East is the most difficult one. Crossing Richmond has potential if it were fixed up and crime was reduced. News like the recent article on West Side Gangs isn't improving the outlook. Nobody is going to sink money into real estate if there are gangs dealing drugs two blocks away.

[westcoastperspective]

Sabre Daniel Paille just bought a unit at Waterfront Place- $459,000

[BUFFALOVE!!]

More on the proposed 3 story building on Elmwood and Bryant

http://www.buffalonews.com/businesstoday/localbusiness/story/432269.html

[lastcall4am]

Statler may soon have new owner and future
Hotel would come to old building
By Sharon Linstedt NEWS BUSINESS REPORTER
Updated: 09/16/08 6:42 AM


The deal to acquire the Statler Towers “is going to happen soon, or not at all,” one source said Monday.
A regional investment group, which includes partners in Buffalo, Toronto and Erie, Pa., could seal a deal to buy the historic Statler Towers by week’s end.

Sources familiar with the negotiations said Erie-based hospitality group Scott Enterprises and Toronto entrepreneur Howard Hurst are in final negotiations to acquire the high-profile property from cash-strapped British developer Bashar Issa.

The sources, who requested anonymity, said the deal would see Hurst and unidentified local investors funding the acquisition, with Scott providing hands-on expertise to locate a hotel in the once-grand hotel building, which is now operated as an office building.

Issa, who in April halted a $100 million renovation of the storied property, had filed an application with the Wyndham Hotel Group to locate a 364- room, luxury Wyndham Historic Properties hotel on 12 floors of the 18-story building.

The current deal, which has been under discussion since early summer, puts Scott in the role of developing a mid-range, extended-stay hotel on several floors of the building, possibly a Marriot Residence Inn.

Scott, which is best known to Buffalo area residents for its Splash Lagoon Indoor Waterpark Resort in Erie, is developing a Staybridge Suites hotel and a Quaker Steak & Lube restaurant, both on Transit Road in Clarence. The family-run business controls more than a dozen hotels and restaurants in Erie.

Hurst, who has real estate and media holdings in Toronto, met with Issa in London in late July to discuss the buyout. The Canadian businessman, who served as an advisor to Buffalo’s Savarino Cos. when it considered buying the 85-year-old Statler building back in 2005, is very familiar with the realities of bringing the landmark back to life.

“This is going to happen soon, or not at all. This group has done its homework and wants makes its move,” said one of the sources familiar with the mechanics of the deal.

The source characterized the deal to be “in Bashar’s hands” at this point.

He also said a potential blow to the buyout effort could be a move by Issa’s father to call a $3.8 million loan he made to his son to fund the 2006 $3 million cash purchase of the Statler, and provide seed money to kick off an extensive renovation effort.

Scott executives and Issa did not return reporter phone calls Monday. Hurst could not be reached to comment.

Mayor Byron W. Brown’s spokesman Peter Cutler said while the would-be buyers have not contacted City Hall to discuss plans, the possibility of a deal is encouraging.

“The mayor has made it clear that this is a prime development opportunity and we hope there is a bona fide proposal made soon for the Statler,” Cutler said.

Word of the potential deal comes as Issa’s financial problems deepen in Manchester, England, where his company’s three main projects are in the British equivalent of bankruptcy. His only finished project, Sarah Tower, a residential building, is up for sale to cover some $14 million owed to the Bank of Ireland.

[Downtown Bolivar]

Does anyone have a rendering of the Erie Basin boardwalk described in the Buffalo News this morning? I'm having a hard time picturing how that will look.

[BUFFALOVE!!]

With the new courthouse next door an office/hotel/condo Statler would look very handsom. Who ever does it I just want them to put some money into the place. I dont see how they couldnt make it back. The location is simply amazing

[westcoastperspective]

http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/9525/cooperagent1.gif

Also known as The Cooperage, the E&B Holmes Machinery Co. is the westernmost original building on the historic Erie Canal. The complex, adjacent to Conway Park, is one of the few to survive in the once-thriving industrial waterfront district that developed during Buffalo’s manufacturing and transportation boom.

River Lofts at The Cooperage will result in a mixed-use development of 22 market rate live/work lofts as well as two or three commercial spaces.

Newark Niagara LLC will use a $200,000 loan from the Preservation League as bridge funding to complete selected demolition of the building’s collapsed portions, replace the roof, and secure window openings to prevent further water infiltration.

http://riverloftsbuffalo.com/

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/6461/dsc0056mh9.jpg

http://buffalorising.com/story/the_cooperage_redux_river_loft#sca

[eMKay]

Going to the marina this morning I saw a sign for Queen City Landing "coming soon".

[Halovet]

Going to the marina this morning I saw a sign for Queen City Landing "coming soon".
For Reference::tup:
http://www.buffalorising.com/img/img_entries/w600/18916.jpg

http://media.buffalonews.com/smedia/2008/06/04/06/963-bn-20080604-B007-queencitylandin-137928-MI0001.standalone.prod_affiliate.50.jpg

[westcoastperspective]

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/5098/dsc0333fy9.jpg

Another downtown property is likely coming back to life as a mixed-use development. Bear Den Properties, LLC purchased 173 Elm Street near Broadway one week ago for $205,000 (far right building). The four-story building had been owned by Mudpies Children's Museum.

According to new owner Barrett Price, plans for the 13,824 sq.ft. property will be “market-driven.” Price owns Bear Metal Works located on Milton Street in the Seneca/Babcock neighborhood. He may move the offices for his growing precision metal fabrication business to Elm Street with the machine shop remaining in its current location.

“The building will be rehabbed and the use will be market-driven. It is a great location with high visibility,” says Price. One possibility Price is considering is residential units on the upper floors. The purchase also included two vacant lots on Michigan Avenue.

“I live here and will continue to live and work here,” says Price. “I have plans to continue investing in the city’s future.”

“There’s a renaissance going on,” says Price. :worship:

[believeinbflo]

http://www.buffalonews.com/145/story/445212.html

New dreams on Elm Street

Business owner mulls plans for site

By Matt Glynn NEWS BUSINESS REPORTER
Updated: 09/22/08 7:22 AM

Robert Kirkham/Buffalo News Barrett E. Price plans to renovate part of this building at 173 Elm St. for offices for his steel fabrication shop, Bear Metal Works. A previously planned museum for children failed to take root at the site.

From the roof of a vacant Elm Street building, Barrett E. Price pointed out downtown properties reborn as apartments or offices.

This was more than idle skyline gazing for Price. He has a similar conversion planned for 173 Elm St., where Mudpies, an organization that provides educational programs for kids, had envisioned a children’s museum.

Price recently acquired the 13,000-square-foot, four-story property for $205,000, according to county records. He plans to move in the offices for his steel fabrication shop, Bear Metal Works, but he is still contemplating ideas for the rest of the building. It could become apartments or condominiums or a mixture of office and living space, he said.

“I’m open to opportunities,” Price said.

Bear Metal’s production will remain tucked away on Milton Street, off Seneca Street. He wanted to bring the small company’s main offices closer to downtown resources such as banks.

Price said the growth of his company, which last year generated $1 million in sales for the first time, has given him the opportunity to buy the Elm Street property to rejuvenate it.

“People like me have to invest in downtown,” he said.

While Price imagines the potential for 173 Elm, Mudpies has let go of its dream for the building. The organization bought the property near William Street intending to create a permanent home for its traveling educational programs.

“We felt it would have been an important and positive institution for the city of Buffalo,” particularly for low-income children, said Marilyn Sozanski, Mudpies’ board president.

But Mudpies couldn’t secure the public funding necessary to make the project a reality. And revitalization of the Michigan Avenue corridor, which runs behind the building, hasn’t taken root as hoped, Sozanski said.

While Mudpies won’t open a museum at the site, Sozanski said she was pleased Price is bringing his own plans to the property.

“We’re so happy because he’s going to do a great job restoring it,” Sozanski said.

City records show 173 Elm St. dates to 1900. The Mudpies Children’s Museum Foundation acquired the building nine years ago for $164,000.

The property is along a highly visible corridor motorists use to get from downtown to the Kensington Expressway, and has on--site parking in the back.

Over on Milton Street, Price is upgrading Bear Metal’s facilities. Last year, he upgraded the shop. This year, he is remodeling its office space and putting in showers, a break room, a conference room and engineering office. In the reception area, a rectangular space in a wall awaits his aquarium.

Out on the shop floor, sparks fly as the company’s robotic welder steadily does its work. Price nicknamed it Wile E. Coyote, for the cartoon character that never speaks, never complains and never quits chasing the Roadrunner.

Price said he has found qualified welders scarce in Western New York, compared with the days when area steel mills were running and the talent pool was plentiful. The robot, he said, can do the work of three welders and has ramped up his company’s production capacity.

Price’s vision for 173 Elm is still taking shape, but he credits developers such as Bernie Obletz and Rocco Termini with renewing interest in downtown’s potential for investors.

“They’re the groundbreakers that took the risk when nobody wanted to,” Price said.

The business owner hopes his project will one day inspire others to do their own downtown projects.

“We can’t die as a city, we have to grow,” Price said. “And to grow, we have to fix up the infrastructure.”

[believeinbflo]

http://buffalo.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2008/09/22/daily25.html
http://buffalorising.com/img/img_entries/w600/18601.jpg
Tuesday, September 23, 2008 - 2:02 PM EDT
PR firm heading to Main Street
Business First of Buffalo - by James Fink Business First

Many months in the planning, the Martin Group will officially break ground on its downtown Buffalo headquarters Wednesday morning.

The Martin Group, an advertising and marketing agency, is converting a former Wendy’s restaurant at 477 Main Street into its new offices. Wendy’s closed the restaurant nine years ago and it has sat vacant ever since.

The Martin Group currently leases space on Court Street.

Tod Martin, Martin Group president and namesake, said his firm considered a number of locations before settling on the Wendy’s site. The agency, with 35 employees, has outgrown its leased space, Martin said.

“The area is at the core of who we are and what we do,” Martin said. “It’s the kind of creative environment that we flourish in. Renovating this vacant building and moving our team there is a unique opportunity for us to be a part of downtown’s revitalization.”

The Buffalo architecture and engineering firm of Carmina Wood & Morris P.C., is handling the design work while Lamparelli Construction is the project’s contractor.

The renovation work is expected to be completed by December.

Martin said his agency will move into the building by early January.

[BUFFALOVE!!]

So this building and the Benson travel building... lets keep the momentum going and get to every other building on that horrid block!

[westcoastperspective]

Unofficially what is underway downtown right now:

Federal Courthouse
Avant
Waterfront Place
95 Perry
504 Washington
Slotkin Renovation
723 Main Street Reno.
Allentown Lofts- 530 Virginia
The Whitney
Main Street Retraffic- 700 Block
Iskalo Parking Ramp
Martin Group (soon)
Genny Block (soon)

[steel]

Unofficially what is underway downtown right now:

Federal Courthouse
Avant
Waterfront Place
95 Perry
504 Washington
Slotkin Renovation
723 Main Street Reno.
Allentown Lofts- 530 Virginia
The Whitney
Main Street Retraffic- 700 Block
Iskalo Parking Ramp
Martin Group (soon)
Genny Block (soon)

Aud and Donovan demo in prep for bass pro / canal side

[buffaLOVE]

Hey, does any know when there are going to announce who is going to be coming to canal side or any sort of updated on renderings?

Thank you for any information

[westcoastperspective]

Short Planning Board agenda on the 7th, but some important projects:

KFC Redevelopment at Elmwood/Bryant (new build)
501 Main St. Reno. (commercial/residential conversion)
1010 Main St. (Paladino for Kaleida)
and
AM&As Warehouse Conversion project :tup:

[BUFFALOVE!!]

Hey, does any know when there are going to announce who is going to be coming to canal side or any sort of updated on renderings?

Thank you for any information

From what I understand before the year is out. I can't wait!! This project should be a huge Domino;cover up some enormous surface parking lots and eliminate some horrendous eye sores!

[westcoastperspective]

Federal Courthouse construction-

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/315/choursealm7.png

http://buffalorising.com/story/construction_watch_federal_cou#sca

[lastcall4am]

Here's an article from the Buffalo News this morning about Canalside

Erie Canal Harbor unveils Web site
By Sharon Linstedt - News Business Reporter
Updated: 10/06/08 11:32 AM


The past and future of Buffalo's evolving Erie Canal Harbor neighborhood is now just a mouse click away.

The Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. has unveiled a new Web site aimed at providing the public with increased information about the high-profile redevelopment effort. It is at www.eriecanalharbor.com.

"We want to make this project less mysterious and a lot more accessible to the public," said Jordan A. Levy, chairman of the harbor agency, which is overseeing transformation of the 20-acre project site. "We're at the point where there's going to be a lot going on and we want to be as transparent as possible."

The site is full of maps, photos, historical information and copies of key documents that will govern the sweeping $400 million Canal Side redevelopment blueprint. Visitors also can sign up for an e-bulletin on progress and leave feedback.

A live "Aud cam" will be featured on the site later this year when more visible progress is made on demolition of the sports arena.

[kznyc2k]

Hey all, this has nothing to do with Buffalo, so I apologize to any who feel this might be spam. But BIG news out of the Capital District -- we've landed the big chip fabrication plant that's been in the works for two years now! Advanced Micro Devices got a $6 billion infusion in cash from Abu Dhabi, so they'll now go forward with plans to build a $4.6 billion plant in the town of Malta, a suburb located between Albany and Saratoga Springs.

Barring any unforseen circumstances, site clearing will start this spring and it'll be ready for manufacturing in early 2012. Now, here's hoping the high tech fortunes start spreading west!

For more reading, here's the post (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=3845658&postcount=183) in the Albany Development Thread.

[westcoastperspective]

Hey all, this has nothing to do with Buffalo, so I apologize to any who feel this might be spam. But BIG news out of the Capital District -- we've landed the big chip fabrication plant that's been in the works for two years now! Advanced Micro Devices got a $6 billion infusion in cash from Abu Dhabi, so they'll now go forward with plans to build a $4.6 billion plant in the town of Malta, a suburb located between Albany and Saratoga Springs.

Barring any unforseen circumstances, site clearing will start this spring and it'll be ready for manufacturing in early 2012. Now, here's hoping the high tech fortunes start spreading west!

For more reading, here's the post (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=3845658&postcount=183) in the Albany Development Thread.

We heard all about it- $1.2 billion subsidy to get it to NY State. :koko:

http://www.buffalonews.com/home/story/457583.html

[kznyc2k]

The timing for the money is definitely horrendous, but look at it this way: AMD/Foundry/Abu Dhabi was was originally to go with the building option costing $3.2 billion, but now has decided to go for the larger plant worth $4.6 billion. Even accounting for inflation in currency and construction costs, that's still a $1 billion vote of confidence right there.

[chevy064]

Typical NY state - it's either NYC or Albany. Heaven forbid they locate that facility between Buffalo and Rochester off of I-90 and help the part of the state that needs help the most.

[steel]

Typical NY state - it's either NYC or Albany. Heaven forbid they locate that facility between Buffalo and Rochester off of I-90 and help the part of the state that needs help the most.


I agree. Albany already sucks the life out of WNY with its policies. It is just a slap in the face to put this kind of subsidy into the capital district, an area that is already massively subsidized by state employment.

[westcoastperspective]

Typical NY state - it's either NYC or Albany. Heaven forbid they locate that facility between Buffalo and Rochester off of I-90 and help the part of the state that needs help the most.

:cheers:

[Halovet]

I agree. Albany already sucks the life out of WNY with its policies. It is just a slap in the face to put this kind of subsidy into the capital district, an area that is already massively subsidized by state employment.

WNY STATE~HOOD~NOW!:hell:

[steel]

The problem with that is it would probably end up being one of those freakish red states.

[mrussell83]

A call for help :whip:

I have re-designed http://www.projectbuffalo.com which is a comprehensive list of developments in Downtown Buffalo, New York. Started in 2005 by Mark Russell as a full listing of real estate developments in Downtown Buffalo, New York. We strive to show current residents and those who have left Buffalo that there is a lot happening, we are truly a city on the rise.

If you haven't been there in a while or at all check it out.

Now for the help part:

I need volunteer writers and researchers, whatever you can do to help out. Basicly we'll gather information about all recent developments downtown and add into the site, you'll have a login to post, it's very easy.
The following information as well as photos, renderings, videos, pdfs etc for each building

Architectural firm:
Building Use:
Cost:
Description of Project:
Developer:
Est. Completion Date:
Floors:
Project Type:

If you are interested in helping catalog all developments downtown and show others what is really going on here contact me:
Mark Russell
mark@mrussell.us

Thank you eveyone :cheers:

[mrussell83]

Alright, since no one is posting here I'll add some photos from my aerial ride around the city over the summer. Also, if you help out with project buffalo I'll even send you an 8x10, hows that for incentive.

http://projectbuffalo.com/mrussell/air_buffalo_1.jpg
http://projectbuffalo.com/mrussell/air_buffalo_2.jpg
http://projectbuffalo.com/mrussell/air_buffalo_3.jpg
http://projectbuffalo.com/mrussell/air_buffalo_4.jpg
http://projectbuffalo.com/mrussell/air_buffalo_5.jpg

I have about 400 more from the same day. Enjoy

[BUFFALOVE!!]

Does anyone know the exact building/ address of this building in question? Pictures? The article is pretty vague. I'd love to know more about the project and owner. Anyone know how credible he is?


Condo project eyed near Shea's
(from buffalo business first)
http://buffalo.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2008/10/13/daily35.html?surround=lfn&brthrs=1

[Jas]

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll2/BfloHighRise/600BlockMain.jpg

[Halovet]

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll2/BfloHighRise/600BlockMain.jpg

Ok, we know what this looked like when my Granddad (Who would be 118) worked in the Rail yard where HSBC now stands in the 20s, but im interested in seeing the structure today. Does it look much the same? Run down? and a rendering of what is expected? but now I remember, this is "very preliminary", which means in "Buffalo talk", Lotsa Luck!:rolleyes:

[westcoastperspective]

http://img397.imageshack.us/img397/8602/dsc0292gt5.jpg

Not the best pic- I cropped it and zoomed on BRising:


http://buffalorising.com/story/theater_district_condos_planne#entry-comments

[Jas]

Ok, we know what this looked like when my Granddad (Who would be 118) worked in the Rail yard where HSBC now stands in the 20s, but im interested in seeing the structure today. Does it look much the same? Run down? and a rendering of what is expected? but now I remember, this is "very preliminary", which means in "Buffalo talk", Lotsa Luck!:rolleyes:

I am terribly sorry to post an interesting historical photo of the building since that's all I had...

[BUFFALOVE!!]

I am terribly sorry to post an interesting historical photo of the building since that's all I had...

I dig it. I love shots of the golden days. Which building is it tho. The tent city 5-story building or the two story to the right with 50% off news stand as the first floor tenant?

[mrussell83]

Thanks for the feedback from these, here are a few more:

http://projectbuffalo.com/mrussell/air_buffalo_6.jpg
http://projectbuffalo.com/mrussell/air_buffalo_7.jpg
http://projectbuffalo.com/mrussell/air_buffalo_8.jpg
http://projectbuffalo.com/mrussell/air_buffalo_9.jpg
http://projectbuffalo.com/mrussell/air_buffalo_10.jpg

[westcoastperspective]

I dig it. I love shots of the golden days. Which building is it tho. The tent city 5-story building or the two story to the right with 50% off news stand as the first floor tenant?

The two-story, 50% building.

[lastcall4am]

I won't hold my breath, but here is an article posted in the buffalo news about 50 court st construction beginning in the spring

Paladino scales back plans for Court Street office building
Sharon Linstedt - News Business Reporter
Long-delayed plans for a new office complex at 50 Court Street in downtown Buffalo have been revised again.

Developer Carl P. Paladino has scaled back designs and is now proposing to build an eight-story, 225,000-square-foot building on the vacant parcel between Franklin and Pearl streets. The Buffalo Planning Board approved the down-sized blueprints on Tuesday.

Paladino, whose plans for a new building on the prime downtown site date back to 1988, had most recently proposed constructing an 11-floor, 335,000-square-foot office tower.

Building is slated to start next spring.

Paladino's plans for the site, which includes a parcel of city-owned land, have sparked a series of legal skirmishes involving the owner's of the nearby Main Place Mall. The most recent lawsuit put the project on hold for most of 2007 and much of the current construction season.

[chevy064]

I won't hold my breath, but here is an article posted in the buffalo news about 50 court st construction beginning in the spring

Paladino scales back plans for Court Street office building
Sharon Linstedt - News Business Reporter
Long-delayed plans for a new office complex at 50 Court Street in downtown Buffalo have been revised again.

Developer Carl P. Paladino has scaled back designs and is now proposing to build an eight-story, 225,000-square-foot building on the vacant parcel between Franklin and Pearl streets. The Buffalo Planning Board approved the down-sized blueprints on Tuesday.

Paladino, whose plans for a new building on the prime downtown site date back to 1988, had most recently proposed constructing an 11-floor, 335,000-square-foot office tower.

Building is slated to start next spring.

Paladino's plans for the site, which includes a parcel of city-owned land, have sparked a series of legal skirmishes involving the owner's of the nearby Main Place Mall. The most recent lawsuit put the project on hold for most of 2007 and much of the current construction season.

8 floors? Why even bother?

Why the hell is every developer in Buffalo afraid of building something tall? Why does no one want to build a landmark tower? A centerpiece of the city? Something that sets a new trend? It's all the same boring crap.

[BUFFALOVE!!]

^^ well given the current economy and the fact that paladino cant afford to build such a tower in the first place might have a lot to do with it. Not to mention that there isnt a lot to be excited about in terms of architecture with this building, his new builds are usually pretty fugly.

A key thing to remember though is that 8 stories isnt anything to knock. Height isnt nearly as important as density. I would take 3 five story buildings downtown that cover separate lots over one 15 story building that covers one lot. Anyone who has ever lived in or visited europe will know what i'm talking about. That lot is a huge hole on the path to city hall. The sooner its filled with something respectable the better.

Last i knew he had no intention of putting in first floor retail. is that still the case? Even though the store fronts wouldnt be filled immediately it would be good forward thinking on his part. DT is on the rise and soon services will be needed so fill the needs of its inhabitants.

any renderings of the new design? hopefully more attractive that the first blan facade.

[lastcall4am]

Couldn't agreet more BUFFALOVE. That is a prime location that needs to be filled, even if it is only 8 stories. I would hope that there is some first floor retail. I think that if Paladino included first floor retail, it could do quite well with the hotel, offices, and condos two blocks up deleware at AVANT, the new courthouse in the circle, and the potential that exists from the Statler. With all of the new residences being taken up downtown, there hasn't been a whole lot of commercialization to go with it

[BUFFALOVE!!]

Speaking of residential. This is the very heart of downtown buffalo. would a few dozen units kill the man. They would sell/ lease instantly.

[BUFFALOVE!!]

I'm sure you've all heard but...

Demo of the park lane restaurant begins this week to make way for the gates circle tower.

From buffalo news
http://www.buffalonews.com/businesstoday/localbusiness/story/471597.html

[WIGS]

mrusselll83, great shots of the city!

and I agree with BUFFALOVE, I'll take density over height any day for downtown Buffalo. Buffalo City Tower was wishful thinking.

[lastcall4am]

The longer Benderson takes to release the canalside master plan of drawings and tenants, the more I think that he's having a difficult time with this project. Is Bass Pro enough of a magnet for retailers to sign on to this massive project? I sure hope so.

[westcoastperspective]

A somewhat squatter 50 Court Street:

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/4595/courtstreettwojy2.jpg

[BUFFALOVE!!]

A nice little article about the Genesee Gateway project getting started
from business first
"$12M makeover for downtown entryway"
http://buffalo.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2008/10/27/daily16.html?surround=lfn&brthrs=1

[Halovet]

8 floors? Why even bother?

Why the hell is every developer in Buffalo afraid of building something tall? Why does no one want to build a landmark tower? A centerpiece of the city? Something that sets a new trend? It's all the same boring crap.Bull~Shit, im with chevy. While Fill in is important, a city, especially one that hasn't made a statement in a half century, needs to improve it's image to start. Even Ralph Wilson said something about the city's "never changing" skyline 2 years ago when The Bills relocation talk resurfaced. To quote Wilson: "A skyline is the first, and most visible indicator that a City is moving forward. Look around, you don't see any new tall buildings going up! Hell, They can't even build a Bridge". Given that fact he's 91 years old, I'd say he knows what he's talking about. We need a building with some serious floors, near or taller than The HSBC (which could use a makeover PLEASE GOD) and a Goddamn Bridge everyone including our neighbors across the Niagara can be proud of.

[lastcall4am]

Halovet, the time will come. A developer isn't going to sink a few 100 million dollara into a building b/c they want to change the skyline. They are going to build a 40 story building to make a profit. With that said, this is a pretty good project that will add more new space downtown, regardless of how tall it is! Besides, there are plenty of surface lots that can be utilized for some high-rise construction after the economy picks up.

[westcoastperspective]

Supply/Demand. Downtown has historically absorbed 100k of office space/year. That's a new building every four years or so. The collapse of Goldome and Empire set downtown office building development back 10 years.

[steel]

Bull~Shit, im with chevy. While Fill in is important, a city, especially one that hasn't made a statement in a half century, needs to improve it's image to start. Even Ralph Wilson said something about the city's "never changing" skyline 2 years ago when The Bills relocation talk resurfaced. To quote Wilson: "A skyline is the first, and most visible indicator that a City is moving forward. Look around, you don't see any new tall buildings going up! Hell, They can't even build a Bridge". Given that fact he's 91 years old, I'd say he knows what he's talking about. We need a building with some serious floors, near or taller than The HSBC (which could use a makeover PLEASE GOD) and a Goddamn Bridge everyone including our neighbors across the Niagara can be proud of.

Ralph should check out his own home town of Detroit. They have built some big scrapers but but look around and the sight of things is not nice.

[BUFFALOVE!!]

I just did a little interesting reading. I read the economy section of Buffalo and Detroit's wikipedia pages. Buffalo's was filled with tons of negative facts and clear arguing between pro and negative Buffalo people. Then I read detroit's and it was full of positive "oh these companies will be doing this to make them better" stuff.

This past year buffalo has gained 2100 jobs.
Detroit has lost OVER 50,000!
http://buffalo.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2008/10/27/daily26.html?surround=lfn&brthrs=1

why is this town so negative?
Detroit is leading the nation in job loss and they still manage to put a positive spin on things

[BUFFALOVE!!]

Supply/Demand. Downtown has historically absorbed 100k of office space/year. That's a new building every four years or so. The collapse of Goldome and Empire set downtown office building development back 10 years.

True. Main Place tower and the Liberty Building still have a huge vacancy rate.
http://www.mainliberty.com/available.asp

If only half the companies that were in some one story amherst/williamsville office park came downtown... what wonders it would do.

[westcoastperspective]

True. Main Place tower and the Liberty Building still have a huge vacancy rate.
http://www.mainliberty.com/available.asp

If only half the companies that were in some one story amherst/williamsville office park came downtown... what wonders it would do.


Actually, if those numbers are true- they're doing OK. Not so long ago, the occupancy there was at 60 percent, which is pretty bad. Maybe that included retail however.

[lastcall4am]

Here is an easy fix for Main Liberty....Turn the Liberty Building into Condos!!! If I had the money to do it, I would the building myself and renovate it

[steel]

Actually, if those numbers are true- they're doing OK. Not so long ago, the occupancy there was at 60 percent, which is pretty bad. Maybe that included retail however.


I have been trying to talk with them (Liberty building)for over a year to do a BRO story and they have been highly unresponsive. I am now planning my option B story. I wonder if they will like the Option B story as much as they would have liked the Option A story.

[Downtown Bolivar]

^^^Let 'em have it steel--if they cared about good PR, they would have handled Paladino a whole lot better.

[westcoastperspective]

Home-building crash is muted in WNY
Especially at the high end of the market, builders here are busy — at least for now
By Sharon Linstedt

Mann said he expects the high-end housing market to get the shivers as “move up” buyers look at their stock and retirement portfolios and decide to stick with their current homes.

“I think the $500,000-and-up buyers might stay put for another couple of quarters while all this shakes out,” he predicted.

That’s a possibility for which at least two local condominium project developers are bracing themselves. Gerald Buchheit, who’s reinventing the former Freezer Queen food plant on Buffalo’s outer harbor to luxury condos with price tags between $300,000 and $1.2 million is considering offering half of the 150 planned units as apartments.

“We’re looking at apartments as a safer investment. It would make the banks more comfortable with the the financing,” Buchheit said.

Veteran Buffalo developer Carl P. Paladino, who is in the middle of constructing Waterfront Place, near the city’s Erie Basin Marina, is putting plans for a second 13-story condo tower on hold, as well as lowering prices on future phases of adjacent townhouses.

“The upper-end buyers are holding back. I think we need to figure out when the demand will be back before we build more,” Paladino said.

:rolleyes:


http://www.buffalonews.com/145/story/481665.html

[mhays]

Great aerial photos!

[Downtown Bolivar]

Home-building crash is muted in WNY
Especially at the high end of the market, builders here are busy — at least for now
By Sharon Linstedt

Mann said he expects the high-end housing market to get the shivers as “move up” buyers look at their stock and retirement portfolios and decide to stick with their current homes.

“I think the $500,000-and-up buyers might stay put for another couple of quarters while all this shakes out,” he predicted.

That’s a possibility for which at least two local condominium project developers are bracing themselves. Gerald Buchheit, who’s reinventing the former Freezer Queen food plant on Buffalo’s outer harbor to luxury condos with price tags between $300,000 and $1.2 million is considering offering half of the 150 planned units as apartments.

“We’re looking at apartments as a safer investment. It would make the banks more comfortable with the the financing,” Buchheit said.

Veteran Buffalo developer Carl P. Paladino, who is in the middle of constructing Waterfront Place, near the city’s Erie Basin Marina, is putting plans for a second 13-story condo tower on hold, as well as lowering prices on future phases of adjacent townhouses.

“The upper-end buyers are holding back. I think we need to figure out when the demand will be back before we build more,” Paladino said.

:rolleyes:


http://www.buffalonews.com/145/story/481665.html

When you're near the bottom there's not far to fall. To tell you the truth I'd rather be Buffalo than Charlotte right now. I just hope GM and Ford can hang on long enough so new jobs can mediate the end of the American auto industry.

[BUFFALOVE!!]

Interesting article about Main st. downtown in Business First
http://buffalo.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2008/11/10/focus1.html?b=1226293200^1727876

[WIGS]

^BUFFALOVE,
I think you meant this link instead:

Main Street Matters (http://buffalo.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2008/11/10/focus1.html?b=1226293200^1727876)

[BUFFALOVE!!]

Oops thanks. I fixed it.

Some good news from the other day. We may have another hotel downtown... coming from a vacant building
Business First:
http://buffalo.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2008/11/10/daily10.html?surround=lfn&brthrs=1
Buffalo Rising:
http://www.buffalorising.com/story/boutique_hotel_on_franklin_adv#sca

[raisethehammer]

hey Gents, I'm coming from Hamilton for a daytrip to Buffalo in December with my family.
We usually go to Town Diner on Elmwood and Spot Coffee and browse some shops etc....
Does anyone know if there are winter/Christmas activies at Delaware Park?? I can't seem to find any online.
Thanks for the help...feel free to PM me if you don't want to discuss this in this thread.

[steel]

These guys should be able to help you out

http://www.foreverelmwood.org/index.php?src=gendocs&ref=Elmwood%20VIllage%20Demo%20Clip&category=Main&PHPSESSID=7e0213eb589edff46bf42530148bcf01


Don't forget to visit the new Birchfield Penny Gallery on Elmwood.

[Jseelbinder]

Any waterfront project needs the removal of the Skyway. That monstrosity needs to go like H-O.

:jester:

I hope you are kidding, The Skyway is a staple of Western New York and if surrounded by the right buildings, could be very easy on the eyes.

[westcoastperspective]

Sattler Theater restoration on Broadway near Jefferson:

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/431/sattlerbuildinghp8.jpg

http://buffalorising.com/story/restoration_watch_sattler_thea#sca

[Halovet]

Sattler Theater restoration on Broadway near Jefferson:

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/431/sattlerbuildinghp8.jpg

http://buffalorising.com/story/restoration_watch_sattler_thea#scaI would love to see this happen.:tup:

[Halovet]

When you're near the bottom there's not far to fall. To tell you the truth I'd rather be Buffalo than Charlotte right now. I just hope GM and Ford can hang on long enough so new jobs can mediate the end of the American auto industry.

As for not wanting to be Charlotte right now, Downtown Bolivar, your point is so true, but I'm wondering if Paladino should have a little faith also. I'm not sure if I ever herd of waterfront condos slowing down, especially in a city that needs it so desperately. WNY is large enough that there are enough of the affluent left that would kill for those views over the water and skyline. Besides, if you make apartments, guess who the tenets will be? NIMBY 75-100 year olds that stifle progress. It's not my loot, but I can see logic for "if you build it, they will come". Just tough out the market, and when the storm passes, everything is in place.

Hey, whats the latest on 33 Gates Circle?:shrug:

[BUFFALOVE!!]

As for not wanting to be Charlotte right now, Downtown Bolivar, your point is so true, but I'm wondering if Paladino should have a little faith also. I'm not sure if I ever herd of waterfront condos slowing down, especially in a city that needs it so desperately. WNY is large enough that there are enough of the affluent left that would kill for those views over the water and skyline. Besides, if you make apartments, guess who the tenets will be? NIMBY 75-100 year olds that stifle progress. It's not my loot, but I can see logic for "if you build it, they will come". Just tough out the market, and when the storm passes, everything is in place.

Hey, whats the latest on 33 Gates Circle?:shrug:

They got permission from the city to tear down the park lane restaurant that sits on the site. I think they are removing asbestos right now. word on the street is that they may start construction this coming spring/summer

[sullymon54]

Did anyone see what Goodell Said?

http://www.buffalonews.com/101/story/496398.html

This chump sounds like every high school football speech I ever got just before we got crushed by 52 points that heart was all that counted. Also eerily similar to when Rudy Giuliani gave the carefully crafted answer of "Because its New York" to the question of 'How he thought NYC could reverse the trend of corporations chosing to move there headquarters out of NYC rather than stay because of the high corporate taxes in the U.S. or high property taxes in the City?'

Things don't happen because you really really want them too, they happen for because you provide something someone else can't or because there's a lot of money in it, that's it. Thanks jackass, way to do you're best to protect you're local team.

Sorry, I know its off topic but I had to vent somewhere and it seemed relevant after another Buffalo Rising Post on building a new stadium

[westcoastperspective]

UB Campus Make-over plans are being discussed today. This was on the web as part of their "downtown campus"

S.E. Corner of North and Ellicott:

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/4333/ub1nc7.png


Ellicott Street on parking lot south of M.Wile Building:

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/7065/ub2tg5.png

[BUFFALOVE!!]

I hope we get some nice, modern midrises that cover current surface parking with this proposed expansion. Especially that whole surface parking block bounded by main, high ellicott, and goodrich.

We have the potential to completely re-invent ourselves as a city if the medical campus, ub and the city work together on this and put up some decent, well planned structures.

any other designs or ideas? time line?

[believeinbflo]

new courthouse pics...

http://allthingsbuffalo.wnymedia.net/blogs/2008/11/19/federal-courthouse-111908/

[Fortunate4Now]

I submitted some buildings into the database as it's beginning to fall behind

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=161207&highlight=buffalo

hopefully I got everything correct...

I see someone already submitted the court house, is there anything I forgot?

[Halovet]

I hope we get some nice, modern midrises that cover current surface parking with this proposed expansion. Especially that whole surface parking block bounded by main, high ellicott, and goodrich.

We have the potential to completely re-invent ourselves as a city if the medical campus, ub and the city work together on this and put up some decent, well planned structures.

any other designs or ideas? time line? I agree Buffalove!

[BUFFALOVE!!]

I submitted some buildings into the database as it's beginning to fall behind

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=161207&highlight=buffalo

hopefully I got everything correct...

I see someone already submitted the court house, is there anything I forgot?

I put up gates circle when it was first announced forever ago and no one took it. the court house was listed on our diagrams page but it wasnt drawn now it doesnt exist anymore. avant is still listed as office building.

[STERNyc]

Whoa! What's up with that concrete? I thought the Court House was going to be all glass. The courthouse was a brightspot for a city severely lacking glass and modern architecture, the concrete is a a huge downgrade. It reminds me of the Queens Center Mall:

http://stbartselmhurst.com/photos/elmhurst-new/elmmacys.jpg

Does Buffalo ever get a break?

[Fortunate4Now]

Whoa! What's up with that concrete?


You tell me?? I dont know what the heck that is but its not in buffalo..

Refer Here:
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=154641

http://www.buffalorising.com/upload/2008/11/courthouse2.png

[STERNyc]

Yeah that's what it was supposed to look like which was a very nice and exciting design.

This is what is being built:

http://allthingsbuffalo.wnymedia.net/blogs/2008/11/19/federal-courthouse-111908/

[BUFFALOVE!!]

Yeah that's what it was supposed to look like which was a very nice and exciting design.

This is what is being built:

http://allthingsbuffalo.wnymedia.net/blogs/2008/11/19/federal-courthouse-111908/

the glass is going over it still

[STERNyc]

Do you have a link?

I've never seen that as a building technique before, usually the glass is the curtain wall itself, but hopefully you're right.

[westcoastperspective]

You can see the window bands behind the glass in the rendering:

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/6434/courthouse2pi5.png

[philadelphiathrives]

When you're near the bottom there's not far to fall. To tell you the truth I'd rather be Buffalo than Charlotte right now. I just hope GM and Ford can hang on long enough so new jobs can mediate the end of the American auto industry.


But remember, Michigan and Ohio are near the bottom and they fell very far. So, maybe Western NY state has finally turned a corner. :D

[Halovet]

You can see the window bands behind the glass in the rendering:

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/6434/courthouse2pi5.pngyeah, if you look good, you can see the concrete under the glass. Remember, the place has to be a fortress after what that shit~head from Lockport, who I refuse to name, did in OK City several years ago. So, we're still good, as the glass goes, FOR NOW!:fingerscrossed:

[buffaLOVE]

Hey, what is going on with the Larkin District.

[westcoastperspective]

Hey, what is going on with the Larkin District.

It has been quiet. Though the City recently voted to abandon an unused alley CityView needs for one of the new office buildings. So they're still pushing forward.

[westcoastperspective]

Hey, what is going on with the Larkin District.

Was by there yesterday- the moving company warehouse at Smith and Exchange has been leveled- that is where CityView is planning this:

http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/3607/899senecatp4.png


Some S. Elmwood pics:


http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/9900/dsc0184ws4.jpg

http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/1638/dsc0181zx1.jpg

http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/7536/dsc0180yk8.jpg

http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/8761/dsc0177dd5.jpg

http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/5126/dsc0174cz1.jpg

[sullymon54]

wow, the avant looks really impressive. In about six months all the news stations are going to have to update their pictures of the city. All this glass between this project and the courthouse will really put a new face on the city's skyline.

Any idea as to what they are going to do with the old federal court building? I would hate to see a corner on Niagara Square demoed for another "shovel ready site."

[steel]

The old Federal Courts building will still be used for courts.

[westcoastperspective]

http://img357.imageshack.us/img357/3092/dsc0255id7.jpg

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/6444/dsc0252zj5.jpg

http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/2517/dsc0227hb2.jpg

Wadsworth rehabs...

http://img361.imageshack.us/img361/693/dsc0172qb3.jpg

[steel]

If anyone was confused about the meaning of the word nasty...

[BUFFALOVE!!]

Does anyone know our office vacancy rate in the CBD? Class A and total. What is the national average?

[Downtown Bolivar]

That podium looks worse close to completion than it did under construction--a decent building on a solid slab of gray--awful! On the other hand I understand the lack of windows on the downtown side--190 is too close to the building and too short to have too many windows in the upper floors. I would imagine both noise and air quality had to be a concern when this building was designed due to the expressway.