Rocco Termini is proposing another project in Black Rock, this one emphasizing commercial space. The former Linde Air Manufacturing complex at 155 Chandler Street would contain 80,000 sq.ft. of commercial space and potentially ten apartments.

The Buffalo News has the scoop:

The $8 million project, named the Chandler Incubator, will reuse a century-old manufacturing and processing building to encourage new business growth in an up-and-coming area of Buffalo.

Documents filed with the Buffalo Planning Board call for renovating the 90,000-square-foot brick building into an 80,000-square-foot complex, with 10 apartments and the commercial space. An adjacent paved parcel at 157 Chandler, with grass growing in it, will be turned into parking for the new project.

However, Termini said in an interview that he will likely abandon the apartments if he gets into Start-Up NY, because the program does not permit residential living space. If so, the entire building would be commercial space.

Termini has commitments for a brewery and winery to occupy 30,000 sq.ft. of space and software development firm Utilant, a current tenant at his Foundry Lofts project, will take 25,000 sq.ft.

The eastern portion of the complex has 40′ ceilings

Termini’s development efforts have been focused along Elmwood Avenue north of Buffalo State College in recent years. The Foundry Lofts project, a former FWS Furniture location, was converted into 46 market rate apartments and commercial space.

On nearby Grote Street, the former Houk Wire Wheel Company facility was converted into 22 one and two-bedroom apartments and 3,000 sq.ft. of commercial space. Thirty-eight apartments were created in the former American Radiator Company building at 1807 Elmwood Avenue.

Others also see the area as ripe for investment. Read Property Group, the new owner of the Pierce Arrow Building at 1695 Elmwood, recently announced a $30 million redevelopment plan to create 107 apartments. In February, an LLC purchased the four-story, 43,200 sq.ft. building 166 Chandler Street across from the new Termini project for $250,000. The unknown buyer’s plans for the property have not been released.

The Buffalo Planning Board will get its first look at the project at 4 PM Monday, Room 901 in City Hall. BMS Design Studio is project architect, L2K will be doing the interior design, and Schenne & Associates will be handling civil and structural. Dean Gowan, who designed the courtyard in the Foundry complex, will be designing the courtyard space.

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