Marine National Bank / Main Seneca Building

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Photo credit: Publications of Buffalo Historical

Location

233 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14203
Also known as 237 Main
Google Bird's Eye View
Fillmore Council District
SBL: 111.70-1-7
Erie County Property Info
County Tax Map (loads GIS page)
City of Buffalo Parcel Viewer

Part of a parcel that also includes the Roblin Building
Across from: Bank of Buffalo, Chamber of Commerce Building, The Peoples Bank Building, JF Haven Building, Custom House

Owner

MAIN SENECA CORP
Search NYS Corporation Database for MAIN SENECA

Physical Description

16 story brick and sandstone office building

Current Condition

In use. The building is lacking its substantial cornice on top, but is otherwise original in appearance.

History

  • Location originally occupied by Browns Building
  • 1850 - Marine Bank opens at 79 Main Street
  • 1880 - Marine Bank moves to 220 Main Street
  • 1915 - Marine National Bank building is designed by E.B. Green
  • 1972 - Marine Midland bank moved across the street to the Marine Midland Center, now HSBC Tower, which required the demolition of multiple buildings and now blocks vehicles and view down Main Street.
  • 1973 - The bank put 233 Main Street and 241 Main Street up for sale together for $5 million.
  • 1976 - The bank sold the two mostly empty buildings for $2.2 million as part of a larger deal involving an office tower on Park Avenue in Manhattan.
    • The buyer was more interested in the Manhattan building, and sold the two Buffalo buildings to investors from the Bronx for a much lower price. The assessment and taxes were much higher than the investors expected, so they sold the buildings to long-time owner David Sweet for $500,000.
    • Then Marine Midland ran out of room in the tower and leased a floor in its old building at 233 Main Street , followed by more floors in that building and also in 241 Main Street . Sweet then bought the old bookstore building at 251 Main Street , and the bank leased the entire structure. courtesy The Buffalo News
  • 1987 - Marine Midland bank is bought by HSBC

Recent Events and Actions Taken

  • May 2, 2014 - The Buffalo News reports that this and four other buildings owned by David Sweet are for sale
  • May 29, 2014 - The Buffalo News reports that all 5 buildings are under contract for purchase. Potential new owner not named.
  • December 2014 - Renovation plans call for a conversion to condominiums on the top five floors, commercial office space remaining on floors 4 through 11, a boutique hotel added on the 3rd floor, and a first floor renovated into an upscale banquet center.

Other Pertinent Facts

Links


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Added 2013-08-14 • Last changed 2015-12-29

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