A three-story mixed-use building is in the works for a vacant parcel at the southeast corner of Grant Street and Potomac Avenue. HES Properties is proposing the building that is being designed by architect John Wingfelder.

The 12,600 sq.ft. new build at 363 Grant Street will have approximately 2,600 sq.ft. of commercial storefront space as well as 11 apartments. An accessible one-bedroom apartment is located on the ground floor adjacent to the neighboring houses on Potomac Avenue.

The second and third floors each contain five apartments, four 1 bedroom and one 2-bedroom units. The apartments will range in size from 600 to 1,070 sq.ft.

The exterior design incorporates high-quality exterior finishes such as brick and architectural precast concrete; projecting architectural elements like fixed storefront canopies, bay windows and building cornice; and carefully designed landscape/streetscape plantings to create a significant urban building that will help anchor this portion on Grant Street long into the future.

HES Properties, owned by brothers Matthew and Chris Siano, currently owns two other buildings on Grant Street; 368 across the street which has been completely renovated, and 476 two blocks to the north with a renovation design in progress. The company is firmly committed to the neighborhood for the long term and excited about the potential of the neighborhood. The new structure, to be called the Siano Building, is being partially funded with help from the Better Buffalo Fund.

According to Wingfelder, the intention with this new design is to make the most of the corner lot and to develop some critical mass where a large void was created by the loss of the former Ellen Terry Theater.

HES Properties has been in contact with neighboring property owners and hosted an open community meeting on July 15th at The Gypsy Parlor across the street from the building site where the project was well-received.

Chris Siano will be a panel member at tonight’s Design Block “Development on Grant” event which is taking place at 368 Grant across the street from the site.

After all approvals are granted, the developer expects to begin construction early next year and be ready for tenants by early Spring 2017. BRD Construction will serve as general contractor.