From Buffalo Rising
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It seems as though every underutilized building in a good location is a candidate for a residential conversion. That’s certainly the case on Symphony Circle where Ellicott Development has completed work on a dozen apartments in the former Grace Manor Nursing Home.
Ellicott Development purchased the former Grace Manor Nursing home located at 10 Symphony Circle in 2010 for $1.6 million. It was purchased at auction after Grace Manor Health Care Facility, Inc. was placed in receivership by the state Department of Health in 2008. The four-story complex contains 81,200 sq.ft. on 2.14 acres.
Child and family service organization Gateway-Longview anchors the development. Its offices, relocated from 605 Niagara Street, occupy the first and second floors of the circa-1952 building that fronts Symphony Circle.
In the tan brick portion of the complex along Wadsworth Street, Ellicott Development has created twelve apartments on the fourth floor. Apartment layouts include two-bedrooms, one-bedrooms and studios. With minimal advertising, nine of the units are already leased.
One of the remaining apartments is a corner unit with private porch (see entry image, floor plan right and kitchen photo below). The 1,553 sq.ft. apartment has two bedrooms and one full bath. A pair of bay windows in the main living area overlook St. John’s Place and First Presbyterian Church. The bay windows in the bedrooms face south with Allentown and downtown skyline views. The lake can be seen on the horizon from the fully-enclosed porch.
Apartments feature 11′ ceilings, hardwood flooring in the kitchen and living areas, carpeted bedrooms, and granite countertops. Rents range from $895 for a 557 sq.ft. studio to $2,295 for the large two-bedroom with porch. Utilities are included and all Ellicott Developments are pet-friendly.
Residents have reserved parking in a lot at the corner of Wadswoth and Arlington Place. There is a laundry facility in the building and storage areas for each apartment are available. Apartments have a dedicated lobby with controlled access and two elevators reserved for residential tenants and guests.
Ellicott Development is tapping into a strong Allentown market. According to Ellicott’s leasing agent, current tenants at 10 Symphony Circle include Medical Campus employees, Bisons players and others.
Company officials have tentative plans to convert the Wadsworth building’s third floor into additional apartments. The exact number and size of units is still be determined but the new units could be ready by the end of the year.
The company recently completed an eight-unit expansion of the Bellasara apartment building at Allen Street and Delaware Avenue that is fully-leased. Two units remain at 14 North Street, a former church that was converted into 11 apartments.
