The first pieces of HARBORCENTER open next week. Crews are putting the finishing touches on two restaurants fronting Scott Street, the complex’s two ice rinks, and the 800-space parking ramp. All will be opening over the next two weeks. A 205-room Marriott Hotel will open next summer. The much anticipated, $172 million project occupies the Webster Block at the foot of Main Street and is being developed by Bills and Sabres owners Terry and Kim Pegula.
First to open will be Tim Horton’s at the intersection of Main and Scott streets on October 30. The restaurant will pay tribute to the life and career of Tim Horton, as well as the history of downtown Buffalo.
Canisius College will break in the complex’s ice rinks on October 31 when it hockey team takes on Ohio State at 7:35 pm. The teams will also play on November 1.
The retail anchor of HARBORCENTER, (716) Food and Sport, will be open on a limited basis for the Canisius games. The 13,000 square foot dining establishment is located at the corner of Scott and Washington streets.
The restaurant includes a 40-foot long feature bar, along with complimentary island bars on both the first and second floors. The bar tops will be made to replicate the ice of a hockey rink, illuminated to create a unique and specialty bar experience.
But the highlight of (716) is a giant 38 foot video screen, the largest restaurant screen in the continental United States. An additional 55 big screen televisions will be on display throughout the two-floor establishment, including individual in-booth televisions with dedicated sound. (716) will have seating for 360 guests and there will be a private VIP area on the upper level. Guests will be able to enter the restaurant from both the street level and the parking garage. The restaurant is expected to be fully-functional by November 7.
Later this year, additional retail space will be ready along Main Street. The plans call for a “Mercantile Exchange” concept, with multiple vendors and stores providing a variety of products and amenities to HARBORCENTER guests and visitors.
A public open house at HARBORCENER is scheduled for the weekend of November 8-9.
Above photos from HARBORCENTER’s Facebook page by Bill Wippert.
Entry and above photos courtesy of (716) Food and Sport architect BHNT Architects, P.C.