By Mike Puma
Buffalo Rising
Another piece of the puzzle in the 500 Block of Main Street is coming into play. 520 Main Street, directly next to the Hyatt, is being redeveloped by Ellicott Development. The group has owned the building for several years and after the success of the Belesario next door, they have recently begun work to bring the building back online.
Office space or retail is planned for the first floor and two residential units are planned for the second and third floors. Throughout the building there is still a lot of original architectural integrity that remains. The building most recently served as Gamler’s Jeweler and retains some unique features from that period like a large vault, ornate staircase, and cast iron storefront columns.
The upper floors have some great views of Main Street as well as some intact architectural features. Unfortunately, when the Hyatt atrium was constructed and an internalized walkway was created, the entire secondary façade of 520 Main Street was obscured. Although original windows and the fantastic columns of the original storefront remain intact, the visual character from this side of the building has been lost from the exterior. The original columns will be retained which will create some pretty unique space on the first floor.
Commercial space on the first floor clocks in at 1243 sq. ft. and the residential units are 1486 and 2032 sq. ft. The apartments will be completed around mid-August and will be sure to add the growing momentum of reinvestment on the 500 Block.
For additional photos check out my Flickr photos, Views of Buffalo
