It's up to the Common Council if The Bachelor apartment building at Franklin and Tupper is designated as a landmark. That would seriously interfere with an Ellicott Development plan for a high-rise parking, hotel and apartment complex partly on the side.
The Buffalo Preservation Board voted to recommend landmark designation yesterday but the Council makes the final decision.
Developer Mark Croce owns several properties in that area and supports the designation.
"What they are proposing is abominable as opposed to trying to preserve some of our historic properties like we try to do up and down the block and in the district," Croce said.
"I stand here today to say that if this plan fell apart and current owner wanted to sell the property for what they paid for it, I'd write a check readily for this piece of real estate. I toured this building before it was up for sale. Every part of it from the basement to the rooftop, it's in great condition."
Croce says he offered $900,000 for the property and was outbid by Ellicott Development.
The building might be the first apartment structure in Buffalo, from the firm of well-known architect EB Green.
Ellicott C-E-O William Paladino says the firm is studying its options on the $75-million project. The site of The Bachelor would be occupied by the base of a 12-story tower.
