While the winter rages throughout Western New York, progress has not been halted in Downtown Niagara Falls. Several key projects are moving forward aiming for a 2015 opening:
Courtyard by Marriott Hotel
Local hotelier BF Patel has begun construction on his 82-unit adaptive reuse of the former Moore Business Forms office building at 900 Buffalo Avenue. The hotel will incorporate unique elements of building’s industrial past honoring likes of the Niagara Chocolate Company and Moore Business Forms. Standing at the gateway into the downtown tourism district, this project is vital in the ongoing effort to improve visitor impressions and their overall experience entering the city.
Expected Opening: Late Summer/Early Fall 2015
Wingate by Wyndham Hotel
Local hotelier Frank Strangio is putting the finishing touches on the newest addition to Downtown’s lodging inventory. The new 110-room hotel is a key infill development at secondary entry point into Downtown Niagara Falls at Fourth Street and Buffalo Avenue. The hotel will include approximately 4000 square feet of retail space along Rainbow Boulevard adding to initiative to make a more walkable pedestrian friendly district.
Expected Opening: Spring 2015
Doubletree by Hilton Hotel
As snow continues to fall so does the former Fallside Hotel and Conference Center at Fourth Street and Buffalo Avenue. Developer Faisal Merani has commenced demolition on the former Niagara Falls favorite and will be erecting a 9-story 197- room addition to the original banquet wing which will be extensively renovated.
Expected Opening: December 2015
Rainforest Cafe at the Sheraton Hotel
Canadian developer and owner of the Sheraton at the Falls Michael Dicienzo is in the process converting the former ballroom inside the hotel into a Rainforest Cafe. Partnered with his investment in adding a TGI Fridays a few years ago, Dicienzo is doing his part in making Old Falls Street a vibrant and active destination.
Expected Opening: Spring 2015
Tony Roma’s Steakhouse
While work just began at the Fallside Hotel, just a few blocks away developer Faisal Merani is hard at work completing an extensive addition to his Holiday Inn on Rainbow Boulevard that will include a Tony Roma’s Steakhouse and large two-story arcade. The restaurant will feature adjustable garage windows interacting closely with the sidewalk along Rainbow Boulevard flanking the main entrance to both the restaurant and arcade.
Expected Opening: Spring 2015
Robert Moses Parkway South Reconfiguration
What was once the berlin wall to Niagara’s beautiful waterfront has been dismantled opening up extraordinary viewsheds of the Niagara River. Work continues on removing infrastructure and earth moving to make way for a new gateway roundabout into the Downtown district.
Expected Completion: Late Summer/Early Fall 2015
Third Street Entertainment District Ongoing Investment
Over the past two years, nine buildings on two blocks of Third Street have been sold to local developers. A majority of these buildings were vacant for years, once owned by out of town speculators that did not properly care for the properties or pay their taxes. In a stark and exciting contrast, 43,000 square feet of mixed use buildings are being renovated right now, adding 29 new market rate apartments and new local businesses. New local businesses are opening just in time for the 2015 tourism season, including the Daredevil Lounge and 24 Below Art Gallery and Café, joining long time Third Street staples like Wine on Third and Donatello’s Pizzeria. The new Third Street is offering a local, home grown companion. Led by persistent local developers and business owners that have survived leaner years in Niagara Falls, and assisted by matching renovation grants from National Grid, Niagara Falls Community Development Empire State Development, Third Street and Niagara Falls are creating a new identity.
Expected Completion: Ongoing