RISMEDIA, May 30, 2012–The Brisbane building, a staple in Buffalo history and the home of many prominent tenants, is once again the center of movement and growth in the downtown area. HUNT Commercial Real Estate recently moved their offices within the building, located in Buffalo’s Central Business District. Currently operating out of office space on the ground floor at the corner of Washington Street and Lafayette Square, HUNT Commercial will be expanding to over 4,000 sq. ft. of space on the 4th floor, facing Main Street, to accommodate their growing operation. HUNT Commercial has been in their current location for six years.
“This move will create greater synergy among our entire commercial team, and provide highly visible space on the first floor of the Brisbane building for a new retail tenant,” says Gregory M. Oehler, COO of HUNT Commercial. The well-known Brisbane building is owned and operated by the Hunt family.
In addition to the expansions at HUNT Commercial, the city of Buffalo is also on the move! Recent renovations to the Hotel Lafayette, which is adjacent to the Brisbane Building, created the growing need for prime retail space in Downtown Buffalo. The addition of new retail tenants in downtown will enhance the city’s revitalization efforts, and creates a great opportunity for businesses looking for a downtown presence.
The Brisbane Building was built in 1895 by James Brisbane and James Mooney, and has served as the home for many businesses attracted to its proximity to the courts, City Hall, Erie County offices and other important institutions. The building was the longtime home of the Kleinhan’s Company, and was also one of Woolworth’s first stores – the success of which was a fundamental building block for the philanthropy and civic involvement of Buffalo’s Knox family, the original owners of the Buffalo Sabres. Many Brisbane tenancies have spanned generations. The Gannon law firm has maintained continuous occupancy since 1930.
In 1986, when the building was purchased by C. Stuart Hunt, it was in desperate need of wholesale renovation and the shoring up of vacancies, among them its anchor, the Kleinhan’s Company. Stuart Hunt administered this expensive and difficult renovation over several years. Today, with new suites, mechanicals, windows, roof, and lobby, the Brisbane has been transformed into a new property while retaining its rich architecture and historical feel. As a tribute to Stuart Hunt for his advocacy for downtown Buffalo, a portion of Washington Street has been named “Stuart Hunt Way”.
As part of Brisbane’s continuous capital improvement efforts, the original Main Street façade was uncovered in the Spring of 2010. Between 2008 and 2010 there have been exciting renovation efforts in the immediate Washington Street neighborhood. Jake Schneider has transformed a former warehouse at the northwest corner of Ellicott and Eagle Streets into modern loft apartments. In April, 2010, Rocco Termini completed his renovation of the former AM&As warehouse at the northeast corner of Washington and Eagle into another beautiful, fully leased loft apartment building. Mr. Termini closed on the purchase of the Lafayette Hotel at the southeast corner of Washington and Clinton in June, 2010 and has begun its rehabilitation to modern apartments, a boutique hotel, and retail-restaurant space. This bustling area around the Brisbane has again become a Buffalo focal point.
For information about commercial real estate services, contact Heidi Nuessle, HUNT Commercial Leasing & Tenant Representation specialist at hnuessle@huntcommercial.com or call 716-880-1917.
About HUNT Commercial
HUNT Commercial Real Estate is a full service commercial real estate firm headquartered in Buffalo, New York providing real estate brokerage and consulting services throughout Upstate New York. For more information, visit www.huntcommercial.com.
Operating Philosophy
HUNT Commercial Real Estate’s operating philosophy revolves around our most important asset – our clients. We pride ourselves on consistently and ethically delivering innovative real estate solutions. Our long history of success and growth is a function of the level of service we provide to our clients. Delivering comprehensive professional services, offering creative real estate outcomes and exceeding our client’s expectations will continue to be our business philosophy.
About HUNT Real Estate Corp.
HUNT Real Estate Corp. is the parent company of HUNT Real Estate ERA. With 35 branches strategically located throughout western, central, and upstate New York and Phoenix, Arizona, HUNT Real Estate ERA is the largest family-owned and operated real estate company in the area. A leader in the residential real estate industry with over 100 years of experience, HUNT also operates a mortgage banking firm – HUNT Mortgage, two insurance agencies – HUNT-Vanner Associates and HUNT Insurance Agency, a title agency – Network Title Agency of New York, an award-winning Relocation division, a residential building company and a fee-for-service brokerage, in addition to its Commercial real estate company. HUNT’s mission is to build its sales presence through successful sales associates, to grow profitably, and to provide the highest quality of real estate and homeownership services in the markets in which it operates. For more information regarding real estate listings in your local market and HUNT’s homeownership services visit www.huntrealestate.com or become our fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/huntrealestate.com.
