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First Amherst Development Co. has some lofty ideas concerning the future of downtown Buffalo housing. The Snyder-based development company purchased the former Elk Street Food Terminal and is converting the one-time wholesale warehouse and distribution center into loft-style apartments geared towards the downtown worker market.
First Amherst has finished two model units and has begun to line up prospective tenants for the former warehouse on Elk Street, just two blocks east of HSBC Arena.
While Buffalo has seen a number of older buildings undergo conversions in recent years into apartments and condominiums, the Elk Street Terminal project marks the first time pure industrial/commercial space is undergoing that transformation.
"Our goal is to bring some life back into this part of the city," said Ben Obletz, whose grandfather, Bernie, heads up First Amherst. The elder Obletz has been a long time advocate for downtown housing. In fact, the Obletz family has a history of taking former commercial buildings and finding new life for them. Snyder Square, a collection of upscale stores and offices, sits where a one-time car wash once stood.
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