Is it finished? Are the shudders and flower boxes still coming or was that a bait and switch? Much improved, I think.
Is it finished? Are the shudders and flower boxes still coming or was that a bait and switch? Much improved, I think.
very sharp, Elmwood needs more of this kind of investment.
Elmwood blocks between W. Utica and Allen are an absolute war zone.... No police, no security, alchoholism, drugs, mentally ill, dark, violent, disturbing. The mayors office and county should be embarassed they can not do more to help these people.
20/20 should come here and do a documentary on this neighborhod, it is that bad. This city needs to mop it up.
It still doesnt look attractive.
I will never understand why Buffalo favors white as a color for a home.
Most wealthy neighborhoods use natural colors and dark colors with natural materials. Medium and Dark Greens and Browns etc adds alot of class and character especially if the property has some brick or stone or concrete worth bringing attention or some shingle work.
This house is begging for window flower boxes and a darker color paint and trim to make this house look less like the 300 pound fat lady at the anorxic ball.
No part of Buffalo is a "war zone." This is especially true of any stretch of Elmwood. Can we please retire "war zone" as a metaphor for areas which are slightly more dangerous than one might like?
Are they gonna replace that vinyl siding? It's looking good from 10 feet down, but don't look up.
Are you kidding me with the "War Zone" description for Elmwood Av.? LOL. It's far from a war zone, maby more of a police presence is needed due to the homeless, but I've always felt safe walking down there. NOW take some areas of the East Side and YES, you can use that term, I for example had to walk down Sycamore Street from my downtown office one day to drop off some paper work to a business that is now gone. As I walked passed beyond Michigan St. I noticed a group of people hanging out in front of an abandoned house and looking towards me, then tried to hid behind a blank wall (like I wouldn't notice) so I had to cut down that side street (thank gawd a grade school was right there and was busy with people on that school day) and headed right back to work with the intention to NEVER walk that part of town again. (especially alone)
The exterior is disappointing. The applied stone looks tacky. Every IHOP sports this trendy rustic touch, but at least they, and ETS, know to surround it with earthy, rough companion surfaces, not thin dirty-white vinyl.
The interior looks fine, urban. Why didn't they expand that to the exterior?
I'm leary about a real estate company that doesn't seem to understand basic design. In fairness, I haven't seen it in person and will do so.
Are you kidding me with the "War Zone" description for Elmwood Av.? LOL. It's far from a war zone, maby more of a police presence is needed due to the homeless, but I've always felt safe walking down there. NOW take some areas of the East Side and YES, you can use that term, I for example had to walk down Sycamore Street from my downtown office one day to drop off some paper work to a business that is now gone. As I walked passed beyond Michigan St. I noticed a group of people hanging out in front of an abandoned house and looking towards me, then tried to hid behind a blank wall (like I wouldn't notice) I didn't want to get jumped, so I had to cut down that side street (thank gawd a grade school was right there and was busy with people on that school day) and headed right back to work with the intention to NEVER walk that part of town again. (especially alone)
The exterior did get cleaned up with simple fixes: the new windows and door, the stone facade, a new sign, and some new lights. It's amazing what simple fixes can do to improve the property. I haven't seen the interior, but I'm sure it's top notch.
I really don't think that the siding is white, going past it the other day I thought it was a light grey.
Overall a very nice improvement from the very ugly Club Indigo
It's amazing when a neighborhood, such as the EV, gets media attention that there is a lot of an interest in improvements, rehab, and new construction. Hertle is seeing this also. I'd really like to see this happen in Blackrock on Niagara St and surrounding streets.
The exterior did get cleaned up with simple fixes: the new windows and door, the stone facade, a new sign, and some new lights. It's amazing what simple fixes can do to improve the property. I haven't seen the interior, but I'm sure it's top notch.
I really don't think that the siding is white, going past it the other day I thought it was a light grey.
Overall a very nice improvement from the very ugly Club Indigo
It's amazing when a neighborhood, such as the EV, gets media attention that there is a lot of an interest in improvements, rehab, and new construction. Hertle is seeing this also. I'd really like to see this happen in Blackrock on Niagara St and surrounding streets.
Nice Improvement. And this is a good sign for Elmwood Village to have Hunt place down some roots and be active in selling this area and attracting interest. A lot of other neighborhoods would love to have this advantage, I think it speaks to the health of the area.
not sure if they can do anything about the strip of side walk on Brekenridge, but it needs replacing it is all smashed up and beat to hell. But the place looks way better than lab indigo
Improvement over what it was, looks nothing like the very attractive plans BRO posted months agos.
I really hope they kept the tin ceiling and crown mouldings that were in there.
Regarding the concrete sidewalks....There can be a collaborate effort from the Elmwood Village, a concrete contractor, and the local businesses to get bulk pricing on sidewalk repairs. I know there was a similar thing done in the Parkside neighborhoods.
not a fan of the fakey stone but overall it is definitely an improvement from what was there. The addition of an office like this gives across a feeling of maturity to the neighborhood. That it might be moving beyond the bohemian shoppe and into the next phase of development. Whether that is a good thing or not depends on your perspective.
It is a nice awning ;)
The side walk along the side of the building is a joke! The city is responsible for this and countless neighbors have requested the city to fix it over the years. I hope Hunt has better luck of twisting the cities arm. Also, I would hope Hunt will take responsibility for the strip of grass and the area between the sidewalk and the building, for that has been neglected for years by the previous owners.
Wow....criticize, criticize. So easy when it is not your vision or your money, right?
It looks beautiful and is a welcome addition to the street. Queenseyes - maybe You have a picture of what it looked like previosuly so everyone can see how bad it was? It really looks nice and all remodeling jobs take time to perfect. Time and money that is.
Let them move in and start running the office. It sure beats the vacant building that had not only the old Lab Indigo crappy hand painted sign, but also all of the old Feel /natural foods signs and acid etched glass that have been left up for years. It looked like hell and they did a great job! Good luck in your new location!
Not impressed at all! They did a cheapy quick fix...prob gonna try to flip it in a year or two... UGLY
Vast improvement, though I wish the owners had bothered to shovel the Breckenridge sidewalks while they were doing renovation work in the winter. The stone on the facade are kind of tacky but they are real, I saw the construction guys placing each rock into the wall.
Oh and...the lower area of Elmwood is anything but a "war zone." Sure, you'll see a few vagrants and older folks on fixed incomes wandering around, they're harmless and if they make you uncomfortable than that's your problem. There happens to be a lot of subsidized apartments in those buildings down there which don't have the off-street parking to attract wealthier tenants. Variety is what city life is all about, unglamorous people and all. Can't all be college students, hipsters, and yuppies all the time.
Colin and GDC - will it make you feel any better if I just call those those block "a disgusting dangerous waste of human life"
I think you get what I am trying to say. there is no reason for these blocks to be in their current condition. Buffalo needs to step up the police prescence.
If you feel so safe, then walk from Utica to Allen after dark and tell me how you feel.
I think it's funny to point out the "warzone". Yes, it's kinda shitty, but it's because it's in the middle of increasingly republican/yuppified Elmwood Village that it should be an embarassment, right?
Do yourself a favor...go to to WIlliam St. near the post office and look at the literally dozens and dozens of burned out vacant lots, stripped and burned out cars, crack heads, hookers, etc. Then go around Buffalo's East and West sides and see much of the same, and THEN tell me what the mayor's office should be embarassed about.
As for the Hunt office, it looks like shit on the outside (that faux brick looks terrible), although it's way cleaner. And yeah, white is a lousy color.
I worked for Feel Rite for a few years, and the people that worked there that actually cared about the corner were driven out by the owner of the company. Go figure.
Looks nothing like the original plan and screams circa 1980 pizza shop. I'd expect better design from Hunt. Anyway, having a business there is better than a vacant storefront but it doesn't have any of the charm that it did as it was originall presented.
I think it's funny to point out the "warzone". Yes, it's kinda shitty, but it's because it's in the middle of increasingly republican/yuppified Elmwood Village that it should be an embarassment, right?
Do yourself a favor...go to to WIlliam St. near the post office and look at the literally dozens and dozens of burned out vacant lots, stripped and burned out cars, crack heads, hookers, etc. Then go around Buffalo's East and West sides and see much of the same, and THEN tell me what the mayor's office should be embarassed about.
As for the Hunt office, it looks like shit on the outside (that faux brick looks terrible), although it's way cleaner. And yeah, white is a lousy color.
I worked for Feel Rite for a few years, and the people that worked there that actually cared about the corner were driven out by the owner of the company. Go figure.
Looks nothing like the original plan and screams circa 1980 pizza shop. I'd expect better design from Hunt. Anyway, having a business there is better than a vacant storefront but it doesn't have any of the charm that it did as it was originall presented.
to those commenting on the vinyl siding; (i dont like it either) but they didn't put it up, it's been there for years
I wasn't calling any area of Elmwood Ave a War Zone, read my post again please, then comment.
Lab Indigo was ugly as hell. Thank you Hunt for making the place look a little better.
If TonyM. is entitled to his opinion, then i am entitled to think he is an idiot. I will bet you a grand they don't flip it and i'll even give you 5 years.
gaustad --
1. Walking down Elmwood between Utica and Allen wouldn't be any problem for me. It's grittier than around Bidwell or Cleveland, but it doesn't feel unsafe to me.
2. "War zone" and other exaggerated statements about entire areas of the city are harmful. The perception of danger is out of line with the reality, and it prevents people from living and investing in the city.
3. I live on the west side. It's been described as a "war zone" on BRO before. Another way of describing it is an improving neighborhood that's within 4 blocks of a college, one of the area's great cultural attractions, several mansions, etc. Please keep your hysteria to yourself.
The "fakey" stone is real stone. It just looks absurd on this building. What were they thinking? I never thought I would write that "fakey" vinyl could look better than anything. Of course the stone is real and vinyl would be "fakey" clapboard.
And this style of short awnings serves as a sign and not a functional awning which would look much nicer and provide some shade in the morning (which would not be needed anyway because of the three storey building across the street) and protection from rain close to the building.
Can't Hunt find better designers? Or did they just find a contractor and ask for suggestions.
Sure - there is something clean and new now but for the same amount of money they could have done much better.
Colin, do me a favor and put down the crack pipe sniff doggy doo doo. You one of those guys that wants KFC to stay open aren't you?
There are some neighborhods that can not be saved. This one can and should be saved.
I saw you sprint down those blocks after 11 like a little school girl.
C'mon
Lets not be so pessimistic. We have a real estate company taking roots - putting money into improving the community. I walked past the building yesterday and I have nothing by applause for the beautiful enhancements made.
I don't think the criticisms of the exterior are pessimistic--hopefully Hunt will listen and make this building look like the plans we saw here on BRO. Yes, we wish them well and are grateful for their investments--but the fact is that we have a silly looking half-stone, half sided storefront representing a big company in the area's most successful neighborhood. They simply could have done much better, but maybe it's not finished yet. We'll see.
funny comment "increasingly republican/yuppified Elmwood Village." For the record there are about 4 republicans in the whole City of Buffalo, that is why taxes are so high, handouts rampant, and there are no businesses left, so let's refer to them as what they are, increasingly snooty democrats.
This looks like a Bocce's Pizza on Abbot Road that opened in 1981, or even a Jacobi's...whoever designed this must either work for The City, SABAH, or it was Brian Davis, Antoine Thompson, Demone SMith or Byron Brown
CarlMalone, loved your turnaround jumper all those years in Utah and LA... You are 100% right, there are a few of us Republicans around but the Dems have just locked this placed down with high taxes and entitlements that all the broke asses vote for the same retards, mentally challenged, politicians year after year after year...Unions suck balls here. And we wonder why no large companies will move here, and why the poipulation is shrinking faster than a 90 year olds sauseege. Wake up Buffalo your lazy ass is in for a rude awakening during this recession...
I have to agree that the Democrats' run governing Buffalo has been one corrupt, self-serving SOB after another - and that goes for all levels of city government. But, Giambra's work in the county was no better - Parks commissioners living for free in a county house, rampant nepotism, ridiculous benefits (cars, phones, etc). The county's financial picture didn't improve under his tenure, that is for sure. It is no wonder people were willing to take a chance with Collins - at least he doesn't owe every corrupt politician in town several favors. It would be nice if Lenihan had the balls to do the same - give the nomination to someone who isn't politically connected so that he is free to govern without all the favors that run counter to the public's interests.
Eric Oak said "Yes, we wish them well and are grateful for their investments--but the fact is that we have a silly looking half-stone, half sided storefront representing a big company in the area's most successful neighborhood."
Just to be factual Elmwood may be the City's most successful neighborhood but it it VERY far from the top as far as Erie County is concerned. It would be middle of the pack or lower when compared against most suburban neighborhoods in terms of educational and income levels.
DJB - everone knows that Giambra was a total RINO and only turned to the Republicans when it became clear he would never get the Democratic nomination for County Executive over the incumbant Gorski. All of his election victories prior to County Exec. were as the Democrat he is.
Sally, you may be right about median income, but I guarantee that the level of humanistic education (not professional vocational training or business school) and cosmopolitanism in14222 trumps any suburan area. There are no art museums, no professional symphonies, no professional theater groups, no dance groups, no professional chamber music groups, no manuscript museums, very few if any non-chain bookstores that sell literature, or even many good restaurants in Amherst, Clarence, Orchard Park, East Aurora (although East Aurora has some class at least), etc.... Whatever they are doing with their wealth is beyond me.
Good for Hunt Realestate... i know bought my house from them...and is about damn time that they start reinvesting their exxon-like profits back into the community...
As far as warzone? are you kidding? i have lived in this city for almost 11 years in good nieghborhioods and in not so good neighborhoods, and nothing has ever happen to me. Luck? maybe a little, more importantly i don;t go looking for trouble. There is trouble more concentrated on certain parts of the city which just has to be avoided. Elmwood yes, is a warzone compared to the quit benality of OP and Amherst. But i Choose to live here, to own property here, and to have that edge as my neighborhood. The trade offs, i have a wonderful house, a very short comute and a walk-livable community with great nieghbors....something that OP and Amherst would never understand.
on another note...there is an epidemic of closing business' between Highland and Hodge....i have counted 8 closings in the last 6 mos...yeesh!
I think the city is beautiful..the mayor has done much to help the city. His vision is working
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