6/18/2009

Buffalo's Packard

The Packard's emergence as a neighborhood anchor and a new Midtown residence has been amazing to watch. I first heard about the Packard's sale between Cash Cunningham and Regan Development two years ago from Pyramid broker and neighborhood advocate Bob Bininiszkiewicz. What I didn't know about the deal was that Cash had purchased the site in 1997 at the City's tax sale for $20K!
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photo courtesy of Cash Cunningham
1325 Main Street was designed by Albert Kahn in 1926. Kahn designed many of Packard Motor Car Company's buildings including Buffalo's first Ford factory - the Tri-Main. The Packard's black metal conical water tank - with 'Packard Motor Cars" in historic script done in white over a red hexagon, a symbol that appeared on original Packard wheel discs - has long been a fixture here in Midtown. Here's a link to the National Register Application for additional details about the building's architectural, historic and industrial significance.
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There are 40 new residences with exposed concrete piers and tall ceilings. These are very cool spaces. New York State's Division of Housing & Community Renewal released the following today about the Packard - good news! One block away Artspace occupies the recently renovated industrial building that once housed the Buffalo Electric Vehicle Company where electric cars were manufactured in the early 20th century.

The neighborhood is also home to Lourdes Church and St. Vincent's where the future of both iconic structures remains uncertain.

Here's a short flickr series - The Packard.
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Creative ClassShrinking CitiesSaturdays in the Neighborhood

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Looks like a gorgeous rehab job. Kudos to the developers and congratulations to the community.

Bruce said...

I remember going there with my Dad in the 50's when he purchased a new Packard. What amazed me, at the time, was that autos were driven through the building via ramps which connected each floor. Cool car, very comfortable, a gas guzzler and it weighed "tons".

Glad to see this building escape the wrecking ball!!

Anonymous said...

What's a Packard? :)

STEEL said...

wish they could bring back the sign