Anne McCaffery had a huge smile on her face as she talked about the just-christened Blocher Apartments.
"To see it developed and the response we are getting is amazing," said McCaffery, People Inc. president and CEO.
People Inc. invested $42 million to develop the 93 unit apartment complex on the former Blocher Homes site on Evans Street.
The project went through its own, pre-development ebbs and flows but construction started in late December 2023 and by this spring, the first wave of residents - all seniors - began to move in.
Many were Amherst or Williamsville residents who wanted to remain in the town and village.
"That's the most important, people who lived here had a chance to stay here," said Angela Marinucci, Amherst Deputy Supervisor and town councilwoman.
McCaffery said 70 apartments have been leased and people have moved into the units. By early summer, all 93 apartments will be filled.
"It proves that the demand for this type of product is undeniable," McCaffery said.
State Sen. Jeremy Zellner said the Blocher Apartments proves a development axiom - people want to stay in their home community.
"At the end of the day, it is something very simple," Zellner said. "People want to live in community that they call home. And, the demand is there."
The Blocher Apartments are filling up.
The Blocher Apartments are filling up.
