Benderson Development Company, Inc. executives today snipped the ribbon on the first private-public venture to be completed on Buffalo’s historic Inner Harbor. The $30 million One Canalside complex, which stands on the former site of the Donovan State Office Building, is now the home of a 102-room Courtyard by Marriott and the 85,000-square-foot headquarters of Phillips Lytle LLP.

“One Canalside is more than an address it is a statement of confidence – in our city, our waterfront and our future,” said Congressman Brian Higgins. “Benderson Development was an early believer. They jumped in early on and made a commitment that has inspired economic development all around the One Canalside project. Being first carries risk but today the region benefits because Benderson was willing to step up and take the lead.”

Philips Lytle and its more than 300 partners, associates and support staff, moved from the former HSBC Tower to the top four floors of One Canalside in late November 2013, becoming Erie Canal Harbor pioneers. The Courtyard by Marriott, the first hotel in the City of Buffalo to bear the Marriott brand, made a quiet debut on May 13.

Constructed in 1962, the former Donovan State Office Building was vacated in 2007 and slated for demolition to make way for redevelopment of Buffalo’s Inner Harbor. The Empire State Development Corporation (ESD), in conjunction with the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC), a state entity that supports and promotes the creation of infrastructure and public activities along Buffalo’s waterfront, undertook a comprehensive asbestos removal effort to prepare for its dismantling.

It later decided the best use for the building would be adaptive reuse and issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the redevelopment of the building which was awarded to Benderson Development Company.

With the project complete, Benderson is turning its attention to a vacant parcel located between East Canal Park and Scott Street. The Canal Side Project Plan calls for 14,600 sq.ft. of retail space and 65 residential units on the upper floors of what is called the “South Block” parcel (below).

Jim Fink reports that Benderson is drafting plans for a multi-floor building for the site:

Eric Recoon, Benderson vice president, said final plans are still being crafted but the building will be at least four stories and contain street-level retail or a restaurant, perhaps some Class A office space, and a still-to-be determined number of market-rate apartments or condos.

Recoon said he expects construction will start by next spring or summer.