Two local developers plan to put residences for seniors and artists in five of the 10 unused buildings at the Richardson Olmsted Campus, a key development in the continuing restoration effort at the National Historic Landmark.
McGuire Development plans to create a university-based retirement community by reusing three western wing buildings, hoping to capitalize on their close proximity to SUNY Buffalo State.
Savarino Companies plans to redevelop two buildings, including a dining hall from the 1920s, on the eastern side, combining professional workspaces and apartments for local artists.
Sam Savarino, the company's president and CEO, said the company is "excited to be part of the next phase of the adaptive reuse of such an iconic community treasure."
"The community is so vested in seeing the redevelopment of the Richardson Olmsted Campus, and I am so excited that this is coming forward so quickly with such great development partners," said Mark Mortenson, the Richardson's executive director.
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The ideas for reusing the buildings came out of a request for proposals issued to developers in August 2017. Suggestions at community meetings also helped sharpen future uses on the campus, Mortenson said.
National developers expressed some interest, but in the end, the two Buffalo developers put forth proposals, Mortenson said.
McGuire will pursue a concept that has proven popular among active seniors seeking learning opportunities.
"We are passionate about this community, and look forward to contributing as a catalyst to create a sustainable destination," said Megan Tafelski, vice president of marketing for McGuire, in a statement.
After decades of neglect, the Hotel Henry Urban Resort Conference Center and 100 Acres: the Kitchens at Hotel Henry opened in 2017 in the iconic administration building at the former Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane. The hotel also has two buildings on hold for its planned expansion.
Developers are still being sought for a building designated for office space and for a barn briefly considered as a new home for the West Side Bazaar.
The Richardson Center Corp. has spent $102 million to renovate the 42-acre, 13-building campus since 2006, with $76.5 million coming from state government.
In 2018, the Richardson received the National Trust for Historic Preservation's prestigious Richard H. Driehaus Foundation National Preservation Award.
