Highmark Stadium scores with CRE insiders

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WBEN)........To Greg Straus walking around Highmark Stadium is like buying a new car.

""It's got that 'new car' smell," said Straus, co-founder and a Realtor with 716 Realty Group.

Straus was one of more than 100 commercial real estate and economic development insiders to tour the new, $2.2 billion home of the Buffalo Bills, in an event sponsored by Uniland Development Co.

Straus' first impression?

"This takes Buffalo to a whole, new level," Straus said. "In a way, it feels like a new Buffalo."

Since early summer, the stadium has been toured by a wide range of interested fans ranging from major sponsors to season ticket holders.

Unilnad's event, held Tuesday night, was one of the first corporate outings that showcases the new stadium.

"Just to see everyone's face when they walked in here and to see their jaws drop was amazing," said Michael Montante, Uniland president. "This is nothing like the old stadium but the feel is still Buffalo."

Ferguson Electric executive Kevin Nugent was one of the few at Tuesday's event who has witnessed the stadium's development from its earliest days in 2023.

The Buffalo-based Ferguson installed the electrical systems for the stadium, laying down more than 2,500 miles of wire and conduit.

But, even a frequent visitor like Nugent was impressed with the how the stadium was developed.

""It feels so much like Buffalo," Nugent said, :To see it so well tied to all things Buffalo is amazing," Nugent said.