What's Happening in Buffalo, NY…

On June 23, developer Nick Sinatra, along with his partners and local officials, officially opened the project known as Fenton Village.

Sinatra has long wanted to construct luxury apartments at West Ferry and Main Streets, but he faced a number of difficulties before he could bring his dream to fruition. According to a BuffaloNews.com article, the building he chose to renovate had structural issues, he struggled to obtain a loan from lenders, and doubters said he would never fill the 33 apartments.

The building Sinatra revamped was the Fenton Hotel, which gives the project its name. The remodeled building features 33 apartments, both one- and two-bedroom units that have granite counter tops, hardwood floors, and stainless steel kitchen appliances. The apartments are going for $1,300 to $1,600 per month in rent, and have already been snapped up. In addition, and in common with many newer projects, there is some retail space in Fenton Village. Tenants include Barre Centric, Ashker's Juice Bar, and the Fenton Fitness Gym.

Buffalo mayor Byron W. Brown, as well as Sinatra himself, see the popularity of the building as proof of the change in the neighborhood, which they also see as a microcosm of the change in Buffalo itself—for the better.

Sinatra might consider working with brochure printers on a booklet for local realtors, describing the apartments.