by Railroaded
The reading is a little dull untill you get to the last sentence. What the hell are they talking about?????-B in B
New owner plans offices, cafe for former hotel on West Huron St.
By SHARON LINSTEDT
Buffalo News Staff Reporter
1/22/2005
A 19th century Buffalo apartment building, most recently used as a brothel, will be reborn as a mixed-use commercial building that combines offices, a French restaurant and a guest house. Buffalo businessman David R. Knoll on Friday completed purchase of the former Lake Hotel, at 201 W. Huron St. Knoll and his China America Group were the high bidders for the city-owned property at a January 2003 surplus property auction, but it took two years to finalize the $39,000 transaction.
"Sometimes things take longer than you'd expect. We're now in a position to get in there and see what we can save and restore, and what needs to be gutted," Knoll said.
Built in the 1880s as an upscale apartment building, the four-story, Beaux Arts-style brick structure has weathered decades of neglect and abuse. Known as the Darrow Hotel, and more recently the Lake Hotel, the address got a tawdry reputation as a brothel in the 1990s.
Complaints from neighbors led to raids by Buffalo police, followed by prostitution-related convictions for the building's owners. The discovery of numerous building code violations also led to revocation of the facility's hotel license and it has been boarded up since 1995.
"It's jam-packed with debris," Knoll said. "We're going to gut what we have to and hope to discover some of its original charms are still there. It's probably going to take two years to get it where we want it."
The 10,000-square-foot building is expected to require $500,000 in restorations and updates to convert it.
The primary use will be as offices for China America Group, an international trading firm, as well as a few guest rooms for its international visitors. The South Elmwood Realty Group, which wants to convert the former Corn Exchange building to a hotel, will also take office space. Knoll's Great Niagara Railroad venture, which aims to develop tourist trains between Buffalo and Niagara Falls, will also be housed at 201 W. Huron.
New owner plans offices, cafe for former hotel on West Huron St.
By SHARON LINSTEDT
Buffalo News Staff Reporter
1/22/2005
A 19th century Buffalo apartment building, most recently used as a brothel, will be reborn as a mixed-use commercial building that combines offices, a French restaurant and a guest house. Buffalo businessman David R. Knoll on Friday completed purchase of the former Lake Hotel, at 201 W. Huron St. Knoll and his China America Group were the high bidders for the city-owned property at a January 2003 surplus property auction, but it took two years to finalize the $39,000 transaction.
"Sometimes things take longer than you'd expect. We're now in a position to get in there and see what we can save and restore, and what needs to be gutted," Knoll said.
Built in the 1880s as an upscale apartment building, the four-story, Beaux Arts-style brick structure has weathered decades of neglect and abuse. Known as the Darrow Hotel, and more recently the Lake Hotel, the address got a tawdry reputation as a brothel in the 1990s.
Complaints from neighbors led to raids by Buffalo police, followed by prostitution-related convictions for the building's owners. The discovery of numerous building code violations also led to revocation of the facility's hotel license and it has been boarded up since 1995.
"It's jam-packed with debris," Knoll said. "We're going to gut what we have to and hope to discover some of its original charms are still there. It's probably going to take two years to get it where we want it."
The 10,000-square-foot building is expected to require $500,000 in restorations and updates to convert it.
The primary use will be as offices for China America Group, an international trading firm, as well as a few guest rooms for its international visitors. The South Elmwood Realty Group, which wants to convert the former Corn Exchange building to a hotel, will also take office space. Knoll's Great Niagara Railroad venture, which aims to develop tourist trains between Buffalo and Niagara Falls, will also be housed at 201 W. Huron.
