Witkop & Holmes

Witkop & Holmes on right. Photos by Buffalo Rising

Location

145 Swan Street, Buffalo, NY 14203
Google Bird's Eye View
Fillmore Council District
SBL: 111.70-5-3
Erie County Property Info
County Tax Map (loads GIS page)
City of Buffalo Parcel Viewer

Next to: Sibley & Holmwood Candy Factory
Across from: Gutman Building, Simon Pure Brewery Factory Outlet
Near: Weed Co. Wholesale Building, 136 Seneca Street, 138 Seneca Street, 140 Seneca Street, Grimm Block, Buffalo Envelope Co.

Owner

145 Swan - THE BUFFALO TRANSPORTATION MUSEUM (James Sandoro) per propertyviewer
149 Swan - SYNTHETIC TEXTILES INC per propertyviewer
Architect/Developer Jake Schneider, Schneider Design purchased both along with 2 parking lots in Dec 2012
NYS Corporation and Business Entity Database

Physical Description

145 Swan Street - 4 story, 30,000 sq.ft. brick and frame structure.
149 Swan Street - 5 story, 50,000 sq.ft. steel, frame, brick and wood deck structure.

Current Condition

145 & 149 Swan were renovated in 2014 into commercial space and apartments.

History

145 Swan Street was built in 1901 for Witkop & Holmes, a grocery business, by architects Bethune, Bethune, and Fuchs.

149 Swan Street was built in 1896 for Sibley & Holmwood Candy Company, a local confectioner that partnered with several businesses nationwide to form the National Candy Company. Designed by Lansing & Beirel, Architects.

Recent Events and Actions Taken

• Oct 2009 - Plans from Lauer-Manguso Architects for a new entrance and elevator tower on the south side of 145 Swan submitted to Planning Board
• Nov 2012 - Plans call for a combined 10,000 sq.ft. of commercial space and 50 upscale apartments
• Dec 2012 - Jake Schneider purchased the two buildings and two parking lots for $1,906,650
  • 145 Swan building - $600,000
  • 149 Swan building - $697,500
  • 159 Swan and 168 Seneca (parking lots) - $609,150.
• Apr 2013 - The Erie County Industrial Development Agency approved $591,000 in sales and mortgage recording tax abatements
• Oct 2013 - Work begins on a $13.5 million renovation

Other Pertinent Facts

• 2013 - The planned retail space is for the WNY Bicycle Center. It would feature a retail bicycle and repair shop, fitness and commuter facility, bicycle rental, a café and bar with outdoor patio, the WNY Bicycle Museum, and a community use conference center for bicycle clubs and organizations.
• The $13.5 million renovation project, called "The Apartments at the Hub", is planned to be completed in spring 2014. Historic review and approval services are being provided by Preservation Studios.

Links

• NY Parks PDF Form - Sibley & Holmwood Candy Factory and Witkop & Holmes Headquarters Nomination
• Buffalo Rising Oct 2009 - Swan Street Renovation Planned
• Buffalo Rising Nov 2012 - Apartments Planned for Historic Swan Street Properties
• Buffalo Business First Nov 2012 - Swan Street Project
• Buffalo Rising December 2012 - Big Deal Properties Acquired For Apartments At The Hub
• Buffalo Rising April 2013 - Swan Street Incentives Approved
• Buffalo Rising Oct 2013 - Construction Watch: Apartments at the Hub
• Buffalo Rising January 2014 - Construction Watch: Work Continues on Swan Street; De-Boarded on Genesee
• Buffalo Business First March 2014 - Historic status sought for candy factory, signal company
• Buffalo Rising May 2014 - Inside Look: Apartments at the Hub
• Buffalo Rising May 2014 - Bike Shop @ The Hub Opening June 1

Newest Pages

Added 2013-04-25 • Last changed 2017-12-16