Construction Watch: 878 Main Street
Silvestri Architects prepared renovation plans for the three-story, 5,010 sq.ft. mansion which will become Zepto's corporate offices. By preserving a significant portion of the building, the company will be eligible for historic preservation tax credits.
Renovation Plans
“We finally got our general building permit and so we'll be moving full speed ahead from here,” says James C.D. Hengst, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of ZeptoMetrix. “A few weeks ago we received US Parks Service approval of our modified part 2 application. We also have the green light from SHPO (NYState Historic Preservation Office).”
Masons are currently putting the finishing touches on the five chimneys that are being reconstructed. After they finish this, the roofers will be back to finish the roof.
The firm’s existing building at 872 Main has also been remodeled. Its facade has returned to its original look when it was built in the 1920’s for retail and commercial use.
878 Main Street, "Before"
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GDC
This shall be a beauty when finished.
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pegger
What a save this move was!
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BfloHighRise
Much better plan than the demo and new parking lot they originally wanted. Thank you for the "obstructionists" for saving yet another historic building that gives Buffalo great character.
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Perry
Hoo ray! Another little positive sign on Main St.
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apocalypsekirk
Does anyone know of any plans to beef up security around these properties? Is anyone concerned that this company manufactures some of the world's deadliest viruses and there's not really much stopping anyone from breaking into this facility? They make HIV, mad cow disease, hepatitis A, B, C, influenza, SARS, and the West Nile Virus, to name a few. This facility should be so secure that a fly couldn't get behind closed doors. Is this the case right now?
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Biniszkiewicz
Someone had done a very nice job gutting this before the city took ownership. Whoever did the gutting was careful, leaving all the window trim in place, removing all the plaster and lathe and nails. It was a neat, complete job. The floors were also mostly straight and solid. Someone once evidently had big plans for this place before losing it (presumably to delinquent taxes) to the city. Zepto bought a good skeleton. Glad to see it getting new life.
re: Apocalypse's security concerns: maybe that's why it's a fake storefront with black glass.
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NBJOHN
New life to an old beauty...
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InformedOne
Another excellent example of reuse of a historic structure in Allentown catalyzed by the research and industry taking place on the BNMC. Similar to the revitalization of the Granite Works (significantly occupied by employees of the various institutions on the medical campus) Zeptometrix, SmartPill and others benefit from their proximity to the infrastructure and "braintrust" present east of Main Street.
I look forward to the BNMC's and Allentown's continued cooperation in bridging the "moat" aka Main Street that serves as a barrier to continued synergistic efforts and continued economic development.
Come on Allen Street Extension!!!
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sbrof
it is funny because as of a couple months ago many of the employees still felt it should be tore down. It amazes me that people can't see the potential in vacant structures. Instead they make the assumption. once a vacant eyesoar always.
Either way. Kudo's for the company to changing their mind and taking on the renovations. I know Jim is going to be excited to finally have a nice space worth bringing customers and clients to. Their current facility is a cluttered wreck.
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scsa35
Very nice to see this building being preserved and re-used. Thank you to ZeptoMetrix. Also, it is great to see spinoff development from the medical campus. Perhaps most auspicious is the fact that this development "jumped" across Main Street from the medical campus and will hopefully spawn more development into the neighborhood surrounding the campus.
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buffalostan
who the heck buys the aids and sars, hey anyone wan to buy my maggot farm in my garage can! Stan
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Andrew
i thought this building looked good when it was boarded up
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tommyBluez
YAY! I've been wondering what was going on with this - I go buy it daily.... and it's a gorgeous old home... so glad its going to be restored/reused.
On a side note.... I always also wonder what Roxy's (next door, right) was like as a private home... that is a MASSIVE old italianate!
Also beautiful... it's not int he best of shape now, but at least she keeps it used and part of the business fabric
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