BUFFALO | Development Thread - Page 63

mrussell83 · #**1241** Posted **Dec 27, 2007, 4:07 AM**

sullymon54 · #**1242** Posted **Dec 27, 2007, 8:08 PM**

Thank God!! I like that cityview was named as the managing developer too, if these buildings can FINALLY get fixed it will change the perception of all the people who enter downtown on 33 coming from the airport.

westcoastperspective · #**1243** Posted **Dec 28, 2007, 2:38 PM**

From this week's Business First, some initial details on the Genny block renovation- no residential space:

Swift's group, Genesee Gateway LLC, is hoping to develop between 50,000 and 60,000 square feet of mixed use space in the buildings. No tenants have been signed.

Swift says the buildings will ultimately stay in a commercial mode instead of bringing residential units into the mix.

"Downtown needs new commercial options," Swift said. "I, personally, am very comfortable with the commercial market. But, having said that, we are not going to discount residential options."

Flynn Battaglia Architects is just finishing a development overview for the project. The report is due in January and that will determine what approach Swift's group takes with the building. The complex could welcome its first tenants by early 2009.

"We know what we are dealing with here," Swift said. "This is a fairly high profile corner in downtown Buffalo. It will be a huge psychological boost for the city to see these buildings come back to life. It says 'we survived the bottom and have turned the corner'."

westcoastperspective · #**1244** Posted **Dec 28, 2007, 2:43 PM**

This is the CityView rendering done by Flynn Battaglia:

I'll get more details from CityView next week. My contact over there is on vacation until the 2nd. But Biz First has a pretty good run-down on their early plans.

westcoastperspective · #**1245** Posted **Dec 28, 2007, 10:31 PM**

Iskalo is building a three-level, 350 space parking ramp at Oak and Huron. It is currently a surface lot they got when they bought Electric Tower.

westcoastperspective · #**1246** Posted **Jan 2, 2008, 2:41 AM**

Happy New Year!

Jas · #**1247** Posted **Jan 2, 2008, 2:52 PM**

Great start WestCoast, but dont forget ZeptoMetrix, Statler Renovations, Court St. Tower, and the Erie Canal Harbor / Bass Pro, and Freezer Queen site developments.

westcoastperspective · #**1248** Posted **Jan 2, 2008, 3:54 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jas

Great start WestCoast, but dont forget ZeptoMetrix, Statler Renovations, Court St. Tower, and the Erie Canal Harbor / Bass Pro developments.

I only included projects announced, started or completed. All of the above are old or ongoing. I'm thinking of doing a post on what 2008 holds- or what we should have answers to, i.e. AM&As project, Canalside design, will 50 Court really start, etc.

westcoastperspective · #**1249** Posted **Jan 3, 2008, 7:53 PM**

Dulski windows coming out---

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

mrussell83 · #**1250** Posted **Jan 4, 2008, 4:09 PM**

Here are a few quick and dirty pics I took while running calls downtown today. I know the quality is horrible but hey it's a cell phone.

Halovet · #**1251** Posted **Jan 4, 2008, 6:13 PM**

[QUOTE=mrussell83;3259753]Here are a few quick and dirty pics I took while running calls downtown today. I know the quality is horrible but hey it's a cell phone.

are these from The Issa Tower site? Is there some movement there? If so, that is good news!

STERNyc · #**1252** Posted **Jan 4, 2008, 6:30 PM**

I believe thats the courthouse.

mrussell83 · #**1253** Posted **Jan 4, 2008, 8:15 PM**

That is the courthouse. Would be nice if it was the tower though!

Downtown Bolivar · #**1254** Posted **Jan 5, 2008, 4:40 AM**

Westcoast-
Are there any potential buyers lined up for the Washington Market? Do you think if this doesn't sell quickly and stay a market that it might signal weakness downtown?

There's definitely good things happening, but right now the residential development still seems piecemeal and we're a ways from creating actual downtown neighborhoods.

westcoastperspective · #**1255** Posted **Jan 5, 2008, 6:24 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downtown Bolivar

Westcoast-
Are there any potential buyers lined up for the Washington Market? Do you think if this doesn't sell quickly and stay a market that it might signal weakness downtown?

There's definitely good things happening, but right now the residential development still seems piecemeal and we're a ways from creating actual downtown neighborhoods.

I haven't heard of anyone interested or lined up to purchasie it. But that doesn't mean something is in the works either. What I have heard is alot of gripes about service and the selection of goods there. Most everyone agrees the food is great, but the 'store' itself doesn't carry the items downtown dwellers are looking for (basic necessities). One Ellicott Commons resident told me she thinks the market is there but the concept needs some serious tweaking and the employees need training.

Several developers say that the market downtown for rentals is very slow right now, particularly at the high-end. $1100 appears to be the magic number- anything above is tough, below rents fairly quickly. Anyone else hearing the same???

Downtown Bolivar · #**1256** Posted **Jan 9, 2008, 9:40 PM**

Spitzer has announced that UB will be moving 7000 students, faculty and staff downtown as the university expands toward a total student body of 41000. Currently UB has purchased 6 properties near the BMNC. No idea of how this is all going to be paid for with the NY's massive budget deficit, but hey--this is good news for downtown when the move is finally made.

Halovet · #**1257** Posted **Jan 12, 2008, 2:12 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrussell83

That is the courthouse. Would be nice if it was the tower though!

They will be right across the street from one another though right?

westcoastperspective · #**1258** Posted **Jan 12, 2008, 9:10 PM**

Talked to the sales agent for Waterfront Place today: 29 sold in the tower including both PHs. First TH buyer is already in though hasn't closed on the unit (will close next week). Model TH opens in three weeks or so. They're currently pouring the 10th floor.

Someone said that Carl Paladino was on TV saying there will be a second, taller tower. Sales agent suggested I contact Carl for details on future plans, but said there is a 'pretty decent chance that we would do a second tower.' I have an email into him.

sullymon54 · #**1259** Posted **Jan 14, 2008, 2:30 AM**

Channel 4 is gonna have to update their photo

westcoastperspective · #**1260** Posted **Jan 16, 2008, 2:31 PM**

And Paladino says, he will study the market when they finish what they are building now. So perhaps we'll know by the end of the year, but my hunch is if they get 80 percent or more sold, they'll start talking about another phase. At this point they still have 20 units to sell- they don't want anyone waiting for something taller and/or better.