Eran Epstein of E Square Capital has started work at 504 Washington Street and you know what that means... CONDOS! Though there are only three in this particular plan, I can tell you right now that there are going to be three extremely happy property owners who will soon be living downtown. Eran walked me through the property today, and from the looks of it these units are going to be beyond luxurious. As a matter of fact, the first and second floor owners will also have a separate unit (on the same floor) that they will be able to sublet to a tenant. "This project will bring some NYC to Buffalo," Eran told me. "The third floor will be spectacular. And the concept of owner/tenant is new to Buffalo for these types of loft conversions."
The building also makes room for a coveted two-car garage. And walk in closets that, after sizing up the blueprints, will be the size of small apartments. Unfortunately, the original wood floors are shot, but so many of the original details will be preserved. Eran is looking into how to incorporate the original interior door archways into the design, and the ceiling beams will remain exposed to keep with the historic appeal. The subdividing of the units is underway, which means that we now have a forerunner in the race to bring much needed condos to our city.
I spoke to Eran's father, Adam, who was in town for a few days. He was extremely proud of his son who is not a native of Buffalo. Being from NYC, Adam was intrigued that there was so much positive movement in that particular urban neighborhood. He asked me what I thought about the building units, and he wondered what the response from Buffalonians would be. I answered that the mere fact that Eran was converting the units to condos was really something. I told him about the reaction from BRO readers at the slightest mention of the word 'condo'. He was pleased with the building, and he was pleased with his son who had found a new home (Buffalo) and was working hard on helping to turn things around.