Rocco Termini is planning an infill residential project on a downtown parking lot. Happy Saint Never’s Day! The 78 to 80 unit building is planned for 400 North Oak, a .85 acre lot owned by Signature Development’s Ellicott Lofts III LLC. Termini will be presenting plans to the Buffalo Planning Board on July 28. The project is contingent on obtaining tax abatements under the Residential Commercial Urban Exemption Program.

The building would house ‘micro’ units, each with about 500 sq.ft. of living space and sleeping lofts. Though the building is two stories, the ceilings will be 17’ tall so it would be nearly equivalent to a four-story building. BMS Design Studio and Schenne & Associates are designing the project.

The target market is UB students that do not want a lot of space and want a convenient location close to the Medical Campus. Many are from downstate or international students that are used to smaller spaces. It will provide an alternative to larger and more expensive downtown lofts or the typical older upper/lower doubles found throughout Allentown and the Elmwood Village.

Units will have stainless steel appliances, common study lounges, a rooftop patio, common laundry facilities, and semi-underground parking for 80-90 cars.

Termini is very familiar with the neighborhood including his first loft project: Ellicott Lofts that opened in phases starting in 2003. That was followed with IS Lofts, Oak School Lofts, and most recently Dog é Style and Toutant.

The building is expected to be completed in summer 2016 just before the new UB Medical School opens at Main and Allen streets.