Buildings In Buffalo Getting New Life – Jack’s Top Five

If you live in Buffalo or have ever lived here you know all about the Statler building. The Statler opened its doors in 1923 and was the first hotel in America to have a bathroom for every room in the hotel.

The building has had a series of owners as of late none of which were able to turn it around into a money making operation. The Statler was recently purchased by Buffalo business man Mark Croce who is currently renovating the property floor by floor. If Mark's other ventures (Buffalo Chop House) are any indication on the success of the Statler it appears to be in good hands.

You can follow the renovation of the Statler by clicking over to their Facebook page.

[www.preservationbuffaloniagara.org]

The Lafayette hotel which sits at the corner of Washington Street and Clinton Street in the city of Buffalo was built in anticipation of the Pan-American Exposition of 1901. It was designed by Louise Blanchard Bethune who was the first professional architect in the country.

At one point the Hotel Lafayette was considered one of the best hotels in all of the United States. When it opened it had the unique features of hot and cold running water and a telephone in every room. quite a luxery for its day.

Over the years the building as gone through several out of town owners who have let the build decay. Over the last year or so it was purchased by Buffalo developer Rocco Termini who has restored several other building in the downtown area. The Hotel Lafayette will be his largest venture by far. Building plans include boutique hotel, retail space, restaurants and high end apartments.

[www.buffaloah.com]

This former federal court building got a new lease on life when developer Uniland Development Company took it over, stripped it down to its skeleton frame and built it back up into the work of art it is today. The Avant currently houses ultra high end condos with views of downtown and Lake Erie, and Embassy Suites Hotel, Offices and Restaurant.

[www.buffalorising.com]

Anyone 40 and over who is from the Buffalo area remembers Garcia's Irish Pub. Well that local favorite hangout was transformed into the high end micro brewery known as Pearl Street Grill and Brewery.

The building has been restored and improved upon with the addition of a multi-level terrace in the rear and an eye catching giant beer tap on the exterior of the building. A favorite place for Buffalo sabre fans to hang out before and after the game, you'll find well over a dozen types of micro beers to sample. find out more at pearlstreetgrill.com.

Located near the developing "Canal Side" project in downtown Buffalo, the Donovan office building was recently vacated by the State of New York and Moth balled until it was decided what to do with the building. Some wanted to demolish building in favor of new construction but it was decided to salvage as much of the building as possible and have it restored much like the Avant Building on Delaware Avenue.

The latest development in the life of this building has the Law firm Phillips Lytle becoming the anchor tenant one the final design is approved. By having this major tenant on board we should begin to see construction sooner rather than later as is the norm when it comes to "Canal Side" project.

[www.buffalorising.com]