Article via Buffalo Business First
By Jim Fink
Plans to renovate a century-old Buffalo school into a mixed-use, residential-based project tops three new undertakings that Ellicott Development wants to add to its still-growing Buffalo development pipeline.
And, each of the projects is taking place in different parts of the city.
Company representatives will be meeting with the Buffalo Planning Board on July 14 to seek approval for:
• A joint venture with Sinatra & Co. to renovate the vacant former School 56, or Frederick Law Olmsted School, at 722 W. Delavan Avenue into a resident-based development anchored by 33 market-rate apartments and some limited office space that may be leased to not-for-profit entities.
The project is the latest in the Delaware District and Elmwood Village area for Ellicott Development and just a few blocks away from where it will be building a two-story restaurant-anchored building where a former gas station once stood.
Ellicott officials estimated the School 56 project will have a development price tag in the $5.5 million range. The four-story 70,000-square-foot building dates back to 1909.
The apartments will include studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom units.
Ellicott won the ownership rights to the building following an RFP process Buffalo issued last year.
Silvestri Architects has been retained for the project.
• Ellicott is also proposing to build a 100,000-square-foot spec building at the corner of Dingens Street and James E. Casey Drive by the New Buffalo Industrial Park.
No tenants have been signed, but the building will be marketed to industrial, light manufacturing and/or as a storage center.
• Also on the agenda is a proposal to construct a new Rite Aid Pharmacy at 789 Tonawanda Street in Buffalo’s Black Rock neighborhood.
Pending various Buffalo approvals, construction could start on all three later this year.
