A pair of buildings sold last week are expected to become downtown’s latest residential conversion project. Downtown Biz LLC, owned by Amita Jakie, purchased 472 Main and 283 Pearl Street for $240,000 on December 27. They had been listed at $450,000 as far back as 2007. According to The Buffalo News, an undetermined number of apartments are planned.
The largest of the properties, 472 Main Street, is located on the west side of Main between the former Courtyard Mall and former Hens & Kelly’s Department Store. The building contains 28,000 sq.ft. of space on four floors. Upper floors have amazing terra cotta detailing (below), though a previous ‘remodeling’ didn’t do the building’s lower facade any favors. Fashion Express and Downtown Food Mart, both owned by Jakie, have occupied the ground floor for some time. Contiguous to 472 Main is 283 Pearl Street, a nondescript, five-story, 12,075 sq.ft. building.
Chris Malachowski of Hunt Commercial had the listings.