Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Revised development plans for the former Voelker's Bowling Lanes site will see the return of bowling to the venerable and iconic North Buffalo site.
Plans submitted to the Buffalo Planning Board by developers SAA/EVI also show the development price tag has risen 12.5% jumping from $80 million to $90 million, mainly due to rising construction costs.
The revised Voelker Lanes Apartments project will see a five-story, 135,127-square-foot building developed where Voelker's stood for 133 years at the corner of Elmwood Avenue and Amherst Street.
Voelker Lane Apartments will be anchored by 230 apartments - a mix of one bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom units. It will also have 170 dedicated parking spots.
But the new twist is developers are adding an eight-lane bowling alley and bar to the first floor commercial, as a nod to the history of the 32-lane Voelker's bowling center that operated at the sit from 1892 until it closed in 2021. The building was demolished last year to make way for the new project.
SAA/EVI officials estimate it make take three years to finish the project that will incorporate eight parcels along Amherst Street, Elmwood Avenue and Marion Street.
Future development plans call for renovating a Marion Street property into a 15-unit apartment building and, possibly, building on another Marion Street parcel a four-story building with 30-loft style apartments.
The Buffalo Planning Board will begin its review of the revised Voelker Lanes Apartments at its June 15th meeting.
Developers revise plans for the historic Buffalo location
Developers revise plans for the historic Buffalo location
