The formerly gritty Phoenix Brewery at Washington and Virginia streets has been reborn thanks to a $7.5 million make-over. Sinatra & Company Real Estate, in partnership with Matt Connors, Sinatra’s Vice President of Development and Daniel Lewis of Orange Capital, undertook the effort to create 31 apartments along with nearly 3,000 sq.ft. of commercial space. It is the first market-rate residential development within the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus and the development team has pledged to donate 10 percent of project profits to Say YES Buffalo, a community education collaborative aimed at increasing high school and post-secondary completion rates.



The building contains 15 one-bedroom and 16 two-bedroom units ranging in size from 714 sq.ft. to 1,314 sq.ft. Each unit has a unique layout and several have loft areas. Apartments feature stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, washer/dryer within units, dishwasher, microwave, and hardwood or concrete flooring.

Original brick walls and ceiling beams have been exposed where possible. Ceiling heights range from 9 to 17 feet.

“The second floor ceiling was raised during the actual brewery operation to accommodate newer brewing equipment which is why the second floor has such high ceilings,” says Matt Connors.

dsc01578

dsc01613

dsc01569

dsc01645

dsc01642

dsc01627

dsc01626

dsc01587

dsc01632

dsc01596

dsc01591

dsc01574

dsc01563

dsc01559

dsc01555

dsc01553

dsc01653

dsc01655

dsc01656

dsc01658

dsc01662

dsc01659

Tenant amenities include indoor parking, outdoor reserved parking upon request, bike racks, key fob entry, storage units, patios off the second and third floors, and a rooftop patio on top.

Buffalo Waste Valet Service also services the building. Tenants can put their trash outside the door and it will be picked up at your doorstep.

The building’s freight elevator was removed to gain square footage and a passenger elevator was added. The development team had one big surprise.

“We uncovered a Prohibition-era tunnel at the northeast corner of the building that led to Ulrich’s Tavern,” says Connors.

Exterior work is complete including the corbelling brickwork that was returned to the front façade.

“We are still finishing up the first floor units and parking garage which will be ready for move-in on October 1,” says Connors.

In the commercial space, Botticelli Hair Salon is still operating in about 450 sq.ft. and Connors says they are close to an agreement with a tenant to take the remaining 2,500 sq.ft.

Apartment rents range from $1,400 to $2,350. Seventeen of the units are already leased.

“We have a healthy mix of young professionals, law students, retirees, and medical campus professionals,” notes Connors.

Get Connected: Sinatra & Company, 716.220.8468 | Photos : Kim Smith Photo

Interior and Daytime Exterior Photos by Kim Smith