By Jim Fink
A signature building where Delaware Road and Delaware Avenue intersect in the Village of Kenmore has been acquired by Ellicott Development Co.
And, plans for the building could see it change from an special needs-based educational center into a residential-rooted development.
Ellicott Development, through its 1093 Group LLC affiliate, acquired the 72,298-square-foot 1 Delaware Road Building, buying it from the New York State Association for Retarded Children Inc. for $725,000, according to documents filed in the Erie County Clerk’s office.
The building was anchored by a Heritage Center educational operation that is being relocated.
William Paladino, Ellicott Development CEO, said tentative plans call for the three-story building to be renovated into a market-rate apartment complex, with as many as 20 apartments in the structure. The apartments would be mixed with one-bedroom and two-bedroom units.
Also in the works is some retail or restaurant operations on its first floor.
“This is a great location,” Paladino said. “It’s right in the heart of Kenmore.”
Besides the building and its location, Paladino said the complex comes with a large parking lot, making it attractive to apartment dwellers.
“On site parking is a huge asset,” Paladino said.
The conversion work is expected to start later this winter and the building should be tenant-ready by late next year. A final development price tag is still being formulated.