The Buffalo Common Council has approved the expansion of the Linwood Historic Preservation District. 1524 and 1526-36 Main Street, both owned by Sinatra & Company Real Estate, are now part of the district. Sinatra is wrapping up redevelopment of the larger circa-1878 building at 1526-36 Main Street and has similar plans for the circa-1888 building at 1524 Main Street as part of its Fenton Village project.
The application was prepared and reviewed by the Buffalo Preservation Board. Sinatra & Company and the Linwood Preservation and Neighborhood Association supported the expansion. According to the application, the two commercial buildings “are thematically related [to the Linwood District] in that they are primarily residential in nature,” “have traditionally supported the Linwood neighborhood,” and “their presence at Main Street and West Ferry serve as a visual gateway into the district.”
The Preservation Board determined that the two buildings meet five of the nine criteria for designation as Local Landmarks and inclusion into the Linwood District:
1. They have character, interest or value as part of the development, heritage or cultural characteristics of the city, state or nation.
Both of these buildings are fine examples of the type of buildings being built throughout the United States at the time of their construction, containing businesses and apartments for the quickly growing city.
3. They exemplify the historic, aesthetic, architectural, archeological, educational, economic or cultural heritage of the city, state or nation.
5. They embody distinguishing characteristics of an architectural style valuable for the study of a period, type, method of construction or use of indigenous materials.
Designed in Italianate style popular at the time of its construction, the buildings are built of common red brick, most likely produced in the area and limestone trim and foundations quarried nearby. The construction is bearing wall, solid multi-wythe masonry with wood framing for the floors and roof. These are fine examples of the thousands of similar buildings built in the 1870-1890 time period that are becoming so rare in Buffalo.
7. They embody elements of design, detailing, materials or craftsmanship that render them architecturally significant.
The detailing of the brick string coursing, arched windows and corbelling are exemplary of the craftsmanship of the era. Atop the building the projecting cornice with its elaborate brackets and molding reflect fine woodworking and detailing.
9. They occupy a unique location or contain singular characteristics that make them established or familiar visual features within the city.
These two structures are located on Buffalo’s most traveled street and sit on the corner of West Ferry, one of the major streets that traverse the Linwood District. They are a visual gateway to the Linwood neighborhood. The scale of 1526-1536 Main Street is especially imposing. It is a three-story masonry structure occupying the entire southwest corner. Located at a bend in Main Street, it is visible for many blocks from the north.
There are eight loft apartments in 1526-36 Main Street, with all but one leased. Units range in size from a 912 sq.ft. one-bedroom to a two-bedroom unit with 1,251 sq.ft. of living space. Sinatra & Company had planned to demolish 1524 Main Street but has reversed course. The firm is also still considering utilizing historic preservation tax credits.
“We are still going through the process to gauge whether we will utilize the credits and whether we have complied with the State Historic Preservation Office standards but as we have shown in 945 Ferry and 1526 Main, we fully intend on restoring the original historic fabric of all three buildings,” says Matt Connors, Sinatra’s vice president of development.
With work winding down at 1526-36 Main Street, the company will be starting a conversion project on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. The Phoenix Brewery Apartments will feature 30 one and two-bedroom units in a four-story historic building at 835 Washington Street.
“Phoenix construction should begin by the end of the month,” says Connors.
Get Connected: Sinatra & Company Real Estate, 716.220.8468