Ellicott Development has started work to restore the historic Graystone Hotel. It is one of four projects the prolific developer is beginning in coming weeks.
Opened in 1897, the former Berkeley Hotel at 24 S. Johnson Park was designed by Carlton Strong. Ellicott Development purchased the property in March 2002. The distinctive building is an early example of reinforced concrete construction. A hole in its roof resulting from a construction accident in 2003 left many wondering if the property was doomed.
“Crews are doing the environmental work right now,” says Bill Paladino, Chief Executive Officer of Ellicott Development.
Paladino says work to shore up the building’s interior and install a new roof is starting this week. Interior demolition to prepare for a full-scale renovation of the building will occur over the winter.
According to Paladino, full construction will begin in March on the nearly $5 million project. The building will be converted into forty apartments.
Ellicott Development is one of the area’s busiest developers and has a number of projects underway or planned in both the city and suburbs. According to Paladino, work on three additional developments is also starting. Demolition work is underway at the former New Life Assembly of God church at 189 North Pearl Street. The ornate, circa-1899 church is at the corner of North Street, is being converted into thirteen apartments.
Over the next two weeks, work will start to prepare the Squier Mansion at 1313 Main Street for Kaleida Health’s Family Planning Center. Also expected to be underway is interior demolition at the former Grace Manor Nursing Home on Symphony Circle. That project will be anchored by Gateway-Longview. The balance of the building will be residential and office space.
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