222 Chicago Street

About:

Built in 1868, the J.W. Ruger Company Building is Buffalo’s oldest surviving industrial structure in its historic neighborhood — a rare, intact remnant of the city’s 19th-century manufacturing boom. Once the heart of a thriving metalworks complex, it now stands as a proud link to Buffalo’s industrial heritage. Looking ahead, the building’s next chapter will blend history with modern living: seven market-rate apartments are planned for the 2nd and 3rd floors, while the 1st floor will offer vibrant commercial space, adding new energy and opportunity to this evolving district.

History:

• Constructed circa 1868, the building was originally the core of the J.W. Ruger metal manufacturing complex, one of the few surviving industrial sites from Buffalo’s 19th-century manufacturing boom.
• The building reflects mid- to late-19th-century industrial architecture typical of metalworking facilities, with its brick construction serving as both machine shop and office space.
• It is the oldest extant industrial building in its historic neighborhood, a once-dense industrial district anchored by proximity to waterways, canals, and railroads that fueled Buffalo’s rise as a manufacturing hub.
• The J.W. Ruger Company remained family-run with only two owners over its lifespan, underscoring a unique continuity in Buffalo’s industrial heritage.
• The surrounding neighborhood was historically home to a mix of industrial businesses and worker housing, with industries relying heavily on nearby canals and rail lines for shipping during the late 1800s and early 1900s.
• This building stands as a rare, intact survivor of the once-vibrant metal manufacturing and industrial district, most of which has been lost to mid-20th-century demolition and decline.