Think back a few years when the corner of Main Street and Lafayette Avenue was anything but inviting, even with sitting just across from Canisius University.
Now, fast forward to 2025 where the vacant, former Record Theatre building at Main and Lafayette is now the vibrant Monroe, a mixed-use, nearly $9 million development that brought 17 apartments and street level retail and commercial space to structure.
The same development team that oversaw the Monroe have turned their attention to a vacant, two-story building at 1762 Main Street. Their $4.6 million project will see that circa late 1880s building, designed by Louise Bethune and her architecture team, renovated and anchored by eight apartments along with some street-level commercial and retail space.
In essence, the corner of Main and Lafayette is now bookended by two projects that represent more than $13 million in private sector investment while creating 25 apartments and more than 15,000-square-feet of commercial and retail space.
And, consider the two neighboring projects serve as dual development gateways into the Canisius neighborhood to the east and the Delaware District to the west.
"It does change the dynamic," said Jason Yots, a member of the Monroe and 1762 Main development team.
Yots said his team's investment is sparking a renewed interest in Main Street in and around the Canisius/Main and Lafayette neighborhood and deeper into the Delaware District and adjoining Lin-Ox neighborhood.
"People are noticing and paying attention," Yots said.
Consider: Just a few Main Street blocks to the south, a new, $54 million apartment complex is under construction and heading west into the Delaware District TM Montante Development is working on a series of projects on the former Millard Fillmore Gates Circle Hospital campus.
And, Severyn Development is renovating several homes in the Lin-Ox neighborhood.
Taken together, what was once a development graveyard has had a phoenix-like rise into one of Buffalo's busiest sectors for private sector investment.
"It has really caught on," Yots said.