The renaissance of Buffalo's Larkinville neighborhood is continuing. After sitting vacant more than 40 years, the former Altantic and Pacific Tea Company building has reopened as the AP Lofts at Larkinville. The eight-story building, at Swan and Hamburg Streets, includes 147 mixed-income one- and two-bedroom apartments and indoor parking. Erie County Legislator Barbara Miller-Williams, a former Buffalo police officer, recalled her days patrolling the area at Thursday's ribbon cutting.
"This was an area that was forgotten. Thank goodness for the redevelopment of Larkinville because what that did was it spurred economic development, not only here in Larkinville, but it's also going to spur economic development throughout our community," Miller-Williams said.
The building dates to 1910 and required about $40 million in rehabilitation work. Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul said the project was made possible because of the state's historic tax credit program.
"This has been the catalyst for so much of the rebirth in these abandoned buildings because developers, yes they're taking a chance, but we also have to make it worth their while to make these investments," Hochul said.
The AP Lofts at Larkinville building is also home to the new Belt Line Brewery, a farm-to-table restaurant and brew pub.