A Black Rock eyesore has a residential future. After sitting on the development sidelines for a bit, Eran Epstein is back and is proposing to convert the Fedders Manufacturing complex on Tonawanda Street into 85 market-rate apartments and a 25,000 sq.ft. self-storage facility according to Business First. Epstein is teaming with Colorado-based Element Properties on the $23 million project.

The highly-visible properties, 57 and 71 Tonawanda Street, are owned by Black Rock Trade Center and sit on 2.75 acres. The site was once targeted to become Rock Harbor Commons, a mixed-use complex geared towards housing students from nearby Buffalo State College. It is also across the street from Black Rock Fright House that Karl Frizlen and Jason Yots are converting into 35 apartments and 3,000 sq.ft. of commercial space.

Epstein and Element Properties have the complex under contract with a sale contingent on obtaining City entitlements. If approvals are obtained this spring, work would start this summer with occupancy in mid-2020. Sutton Architects is designing the project.