Oak School Lofts

[Billsman]

Oak School Lofts

by westcoastperspective



http://www.buffalorising.com/city/archives/DSC09847.jpg


Launch 1st Flash Slideshow (http://www.buffalorising.com/slideshows/school_wide/slideshow.html)
Launch 2nd Flash Slideshow (http://www.buffalorising.com/slideshows/school_tall/slideshow.html)

The number of downtown housing options continues to grow. Once a downtown development afterthought, housing may ironically turn out to be its golden child. Downtown Buffalo is seeing an unprecedented number of new residential projects. The latest is Oak School Lofts by Rocco Termini's Signature Development. Located at 266 Oak Street, the former Buffalo Alternative School now houses 29 loft-like apartments.



Signature has invested over $5 million to create modern downtown living while retaining the historic character of the three-story brick schoolhouse. Twelve, two-bedroom units run between 850-square-feet and 1,100-square-feet on one or two levels. The remaining 17 units are 700-square-foot, one-bedroom units. Apartments feature granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, kitchen islands, hardwood floors, fireplaces, marble bath floors, walk-in closets, 10-foot ceilings, and even plasma TVs. To date, 16 units are leased and occupied at rents starting at approximately $800/month. Due to a mix of public and private financing, several of the units are rent restricted, based on income.

Once a ghost town when the workday ended, the recent influx of new downtown residents can provide significant and lasting benefits and help to create a vibrant, alive downtown.

[Billsman]

$450 / 1br - New Oak School Apts. & 2 Level Lofts available Now

Reply to: see below
Date: 2006-01-02, 11:21AM EST


Oak School Apartment and Lofts is the new hot spot in downtown Buffalo.

An old public high school transformed into the newest living spaces.

Some of the old building still appears in the old book cases that were built in.

Prices range from $450-$750 1 & 2 bedrooms and 2 level lofts.

Each apartment includes a plasma screen television, fireplaces, frosted glass sliding doors, hardwood floors, and more.

Oak School is located withen walking distance to many attractions, major bus lines, metro rail, public library, banks, theatres, night clubs, retail, and the 33 Expressway.

Location:

266 Oak St.
Buffalo, NY 14206

Contact:

Rocco Termini
716-861-5385

[Billsman]

A city high school is reborn
Published in HomeFinder on 8/6/2005

http://www.buffalo.com/images/space.gifEveryone deserves a second chance — even a dormant school. And the Alternative High School building at 266 Oak Street in Buffalo’s Genesee Village is getting just that.

The new Oak School Lofts will transform an empty high school into urban loft-style apartments for contemporary living. The building, listed on the National Historic Register, is being saved.

The building’s renaissance is project is a continuation of the revitalization effort transforming downtown into a neighborhood with hundreds of residential units. The Oak School Lofts project adds 29 luxury apartments and 8,000 square feet of office space.

“The project seemed like a good opportunity to acquire an undervalued property and try to take advantage of it,” said Rocco Termini, the president of Signature Development Buffalo, the project’s developer and owner.

“Many in-fill buildings in downtown Buffalo have interesting floor plans,” said David Burke, vice president of Signature Development.

“They’re often obsolete for office use because they don’t gross up or subdivide well. Typically, they’re small with big glass and high ceilings which make them convert well to residences. The sale of these older buildings lends to a residential con- figuration well.”

Renovating a derelict building into high-end apartments and offices was a real challenge, said John Schenne, project manager for Schenne & Associates.

“Because the building is listed on the National Historic Register, we had to jump through all of the special design requirements established by the State Office of Historic Preservation.”

Scott Pitek from MVMT Studio was hired to handle the interior design of the apartments.

“We wanted to have at least 10 different apartment designs to avoid a cookie cutter pattern” he said.

The apartments feature granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, kitchen islands, restored hardwood floors throughout, plus fireplaces, marble bath floors, walk-in closets, glass enclosed bedrooms, huge windows, 10-foot ceilings, and even plasma TVs.

One-bedroom units rent for $785; twobedroom units for $875; two-bedroom, two-story units for $925. One-bedroom units will be income restricted.

The units will be open today and Sunday for viewing between 1 and 3 p.m., or call 861-5385 for an appointment.

[mmiller]

Rick, I see you're getting into Buffalo Rising... good stuff, eh?

Imagine what kind of cool lofts the art deco Kensington High School would make! Once Hutch Tech. leaves there (only temporary until their renovation is done) it'll be vacant.

[mmiller]

Here's a link to some pics of KHS:

http://ah.bfn.org/a/suffolk/319/source/3.html

[Billsman]

MM, sure am. Trying to spread the word.... :) Did you get my HVAC pm to you?

[Billsman]

Wow, nice building! Its huge too!

[Billsman]

What kind of neighborhood is it in?

[Billsman]

Kensington High School
319 Suffolk Street, Buffalo, NY



Erected 1937. A project of the Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works, the school was a child of the Depression (when Art Deco was popular).


See also: Highlights of Buffalo's History, 1937 (http://ah.bfn.org/h/1945.html#1937)



Neighborhood Kensington-Bailey (http://ah.bfn.org/a/bamsec/bamken.html)





Architectural Style Art Deco (http://ah.bfn.org/a/archsty/deco/index.html). One of two public Art Deco buildings in Buffalo, the other being City Hall (Central Terminal was privately financed)

[shotgun]

to all that wnts info on these rooms and this school
i am a sub contractor for burke c.o.n and have worked in this school for the last 5 months .there nice but some things stink about this place some rooms have no windo's .some if there was a fire there is only have 1 way out and this place get very dusty . but all and all there nice try to get a room on the first 3 floors or 9 or 10 witch are in the back of the building those to me are the ones to get .. and for the area around the school let's put it this way u get a 42 inch flat screen with every room u rent 7 were stolen ...

[THATHURMANATOR]

What kind of neighborhood is it in?
Ghetto!

[Wally]

I drive past here all the time... right across the street is where a ton of bums live. It's kinda funny.

The school used to be Buffalo Alternative - that is where all the criminal kids went to school. Really, really ****ed up place to get an education and tons of problems.

I drive past it everyday though and it looks nice. They have metal gates and stuff so I guess you are safe.

[mmiller]

A friend recently signed papers at Oak School to rent the old boiler room. He said that it is very cool. I can't wait to see it.

PS - as mentioned in another thread on this site, the only time you'll really be in danger anywhere downtown is if you are looking for it. I'm down there a lot ... and on the east side.... as long as you stay aware you will be fine!

[mmiller]

The Oak School Lofts are nearly completely leased out:

http://www.buffalorising.com/city/archives/2006/02/quick_leaseup_a_1.php#commentsall

Check out the slideshow... cool place!

[Billsman]

Wow, nice. All thats left are 1 BRs.

[mmiller]

"Build it and they will come"

And, these loft rentals in downtown are NOT CHEAP!