Curtiss Building

2014

2015 - cornice replaced


2017
Mark Paradowski, Curtiss Hotel/fb

Location

204 Franklin Street Buffalo, NY 14202
Also known as 210 Franklin Street
Google Bird's Eye View
Ellicott Council District
SBL: 111.37-4-9
Erie County Property Info
County Tax Map (loads GIS page)
City of Buffalo Parcel Viewer

Next to: CW Miller Livery Stable, The Continental
Across from: Littell Building, Hurst Building

Owner

Mark Croce

Croce's preservation-related properties: Statler Hotel, CW Miller Livery Stable, Curtiss Building, The Continental, Universal International / Dino BBQ, and Saturn Rings Building

Physical Description

Ornate six story 57,500 sq.ft. building. One of the largest terra cotta structures of its type and period in downtown Buffalo.

Current Condition

Renovated into a boutique hotel

History

The Curtiss Building was designed by Paul F. Mann.
The building's earliest tenants included the Kittinger Furniture Company.

Recent Events and Actions Taken

• 2008 - Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
• October 2012 - "68-room boutique hotel at the corner of Franklin and Huron Streets. Work on this conversion project was postponed and redesigned to reduce the amount of banquet space after Croce purchased the Statler. Croce is currently lining up financing." Buffalo Rising
• September 2013 - "Croce said he's moving ahead with his plans to convert the Curtiss Building, at Franklin and West Huron streets, to a 68-room luxury hotel. He said he put the renovations on hold as he concentrated on the complex Statler City project. Financing is almost in place for the $18 million renovation, with construction expected to begin in the spring." The Buffalo News
• November 2013 - "Upon completion, the building will be a 68-room hotel complete with a day spa, full service three-meal restaurant, high-end finishes, and a rooftop patio bar. The redevelopment will incorporate sustainable and green technology features." Buffalo Rising
• May 22, 2014 - Croce states that the project is pending tax breaks from the Erie County Industrial Development Agency. "The project qualifies under the agency’s adaptive re-use policy. The agency has set a June 2 public hearing on the tax breaks request, with the full board expected to vote on the package when it meets in June 18." Buffalo Business First
• June 2014 - Croce's $18.1 million renovation plan won the backing of the Erie County Industrial Development Agency for a package of $685,000 in tax breaks.
  • The IDA normally does not provide tax incentives for hotel and restaurant projects, but agreed to this one, calling its location economically distressed, and citing that the project would re-use a unique, long abandoned structure that is attractive to cultural tourists.
  • Empire Zone state benefits are no longer available, but the project is also receiving '$1.35 million in Restore NY funds, along with property tax breaks through a program administered by the City of Buffalo.'
  • 'IDA officials estimated that the hotel would generate an average of about $140,000 a year in bed taxes over the next decade. They also said it would generate about $330,000 in new tax revenue for Erie County and $292,000 in additional funds for the City of Buffalo over the next 12 years.' The Buffalo News
• July 25, 2014 - Buffalo Business First reports that Croce will have the City planning board review the renovation project on July 29th. He states that the plans were already approved two years ago, but have expired and need to be reviewed again to proceed. Pending approval, the work is tentatively scheduled to begin in August.
• October 2014 - Modern, non-decorative cornice has been removed, see photos.
• April 2015 - In addition to interior renovation, exterior windows are now being replaced.
• 2017 - Curtiss Hotel opens

Other Pertinent Facts

• Listed on the National Register of Historic Places

Links

• Wikipedia - Curtiss Building
• Buffalo Rising, October 2012 - Croce Projects
• The Buffalo News, November 2012 - Six Projects Adding Hotels to Downtown
• Buffalo Rising, November 2013 - Curtiss Boutique Hotel Back on Track
• Business First, May 2014 - Croce primed to start Curtiss Building project
• Buffalo News, June 2014 - Croce gets tax breaks for Curtiss Building hotel conversion
• Business First, July 2014 - After delays, Curtiss Building work to start in August
• Buffalo Rising, August 2014 - Statler Exterior Restoration and Curtiss Hotel Work Starting
• Buffalo Rising, March 2015 - The Curtiss Hotel: Buffalo’s New 5-Star Retreat
• Buffalo Rising, April 2015 - Construction Watch: Curtiss Hotel Gets Windowed
• buffalo Rising, July 2015 - Curtiss Gets Corniced, More
• Buffalo Rising, April 2016 - Post Update: Curtiss Getting its Crown

Newest Pages

Added 2013-01-08 • Last changed 2017-09-01