Besides investing in upgrades to his existing properties, Mark Croce is overseeing exterior work at Statler City and is also working to bring new life to three other historic downtown properties. Once complete, they will bring nearly 100 additional apartments, commercial space, a new restaurant, and 67 hotel rooms to the Franklin/Pearl/W. Huron street area.
Statler City
Work started in mid-August to repair the exterior of Statler City overlooking Niagara Square. $5.3 million in State funding, the first public money allocated to the property, is being used for exterior repairs and restoration.
The project involves interior and exterior renovations including roof replacement, masonry restoration and stabilization, asbestos abatement, interior demolition and reconstruction, entrance and canopy restoration, and related soft costs. Croce must complete the exterior work and then apply for reimbursement.
Morris Masonry Restoration (MMR) of Buffalo is working alongside engineers from Kansas City-based engineering firm Walter P Moore on the façade portion of the project. Crews are currently focused on the Delaware Avenue façade where inspection, waterproofing, and stabilization work is underway. Dangerous masonry and terra cotta is being removed and will later be replaced.
The exterior work will make the 750,000 sq.ft. structure more viable and marketable as Croce seeks development partners to bring new uses to the upper levels of the building.
The marquis at the main entrance along Delaware Avenue will be repaired as will the building’s storefronts.
“The goal is to address the curb appeal of the building as soon as possible,” says Croce. He aims to have the scaffolding along Delaware Avenue removed before New Year’s Eve Ice Ball.
Byers Film Exchange Building
Croce is working with architecture, engineering, and interior design firm Carmina Wood Morris on plans to renovate the vacant Byers Film Exchange building at 505 Pearl Street (above). Work to put commercial space on the first floor and 29 apartments on the six-story building’s upper floors is currently out to bid. Croce has a tenant lined up to take most of the building’s first floor but a portion of the commercial space is still available.
C. W. Miller Livery Stable
A plan to redevelop the C.W. Miller Livery Stable on W. Huron Street (above) adjacent to the Curtiss Hotel is still in the works. Croce says the project is in the planning stages and preliminary drawings have been prepared to put a mix of commercial and residential space in the historic property.
Croce says that securing an anchor tenant for the building will be key to starting the project.
“There’s been a lot of interest in the building now that the Curtiss renovation work is in full swing,” says Croce. “This is a premier location that will have indoor parking and access to Curtiss’ amenities.”
Curtiss Boutique Hotel
Transformation of the Curtiss Building at 210 Franklin Street into an upscale boutique hotel and fine dining restaurant is kicking into high gear. The circa-1912 building will contain 67 hotel rooms, an apartment, a full-service three-meal restaurant, fitness center with an ‘urban hot spring’ spa pool, high-end finishes, and a rooftop patio bar.
“Nearly all of the demolition work on the building is done,” says Croce. Crews recently started replacing the building’s cornice, are pouring a new concrete slab in the basement, and Superior Contracting Inc. has begun laying the tracking for drywall on the upper floors.
Croce had previously started work to gut the Curtiss but put the project on hold after buying and renovating the first three floors of Statler City into a successful wedding and special event destination. The down economy further delayed the original redevelopment plan.
Young + Wright Architects designed the project and R&P Oak Hill is managing the construction. Croce is aiming to open the hotel at the end of August.
“Buffalo is lacking a larger boutique-type hotel. This won’t be a corporate, generic box hotel when it’s finished,” says Croce. “Curtiss is my baby. It will be Buffalo’s premier hotel property. There’s no question in my mind.”