Seneca One, a Nixon-era high-rise in downtown Buffalo, N.Y., was constructed for a time in which downtowns were for working, not for living or playing. When the last corporate tenant abandoned the 40-story structure, a major waterfront landmark was left standing empty. Douglas Development Corp. acquired the tower in 2016, intent on making it the livework-play centerpiece of a downtown redevelopment. With Douglas serving as general contractor and Antunovich Associates as architect, Seneca One now combines residences, 15,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, and building additions enabling enhanced traffic flow. The building has captured new tenants, luring new workers as well as visitors to events ranging from jazz lunches to a “Headshots & Hops” happy hour.

Seneca One is the beacon of the Buffalo renaissance. The tenants in the building are all established or rapidly growing companies. They are mostly technology-related companies that are hiring and bringing new talent to Buffalo.”

Greg Baker, Douglas Development Corp. director of development for the Buffalo/Niagara Falls area

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