201 Ellicott Street

Transforming an Under-utilised Urban Site

201 Ellicott Street is a landmark mixed-use development that reimagines a former surface parking lot on the eastern edge of downtown Buffalo into a vibrant, people-centred urban destination. Purposefully positioned at the city’s core, the project replaces inactive infrastructure with affordable housing, sustainable transport solutions and community-focused amenities.

The development delivers 201 affordable one- and two-bedroom apartments, welcoming a diverse group of residents into the downtown area. Units are designed to support inclusive urban living, with features including laundry facilities on every floor, indoor bicycle storage, fitness and community rooms, outdoor communal space and accessible, adaptable residences.

By embedding housing directly within Buffalo’s central business district, 201 Ellicott strengthens downtown vitality while supporting long-term urban regeneration.

Fresh Food Access and Community Wellbeing

A key component of the project is its integration of a fresh food market, addressing long-standing challenges around food accessibility in downtown Buffalo. By combining affordable housing with essential daily services, 201 Ellicott reinforces the idea that healthy, resilient communities are built through proximity, convenience and equity.

The project demonstrates how mixed-use development can support broader social outcomes, ensuring residents have access not only to housing, but to nutritious food, employment opportunities and community services within walking distance.

Buffalo’s First Purpose-Built Mobility Hub

201 Ellicott Street is one of the first developments in Buffalo designed as a dedicated mobility hub, encouraging residents and visitors to prioritise walking, cycling, public transport and shared mobility over private vehicle use.

The site includes an on-site transit shelter, bike storage and repair facilities, and direct connections to Buffalo’s public transport network. By embedding sustainable transport infrastructure into the building’s core design, the project supports lower-carbon lifestyles and contributes to the creation of a more walkable, connected and liveable city.

This mobility-first approach reflects a forward-thinking urban vision, where transportation choice is treated as essential civic infrastructure rather than an afterthought.

Public Art as Civic Infrastructure: Golden Hour

A defining feature of 201 Ellicott Street is Golden Hour, a large-scale mural by internationally recognised artist Josef Kristofoletti, commissioned through the Albright-Knox Public Art Initiative.

Born in Nagyvárad, Transylvania, Kristofoletti’s work explores the relationship between nature, technology, space and architecture. At 201 Ellicott, his mural transforms the building façade into a dynamic public artwork, visible from multiple vantage points across the city.

Inspired by the fleeting moments of sunrise and sunset, Golden Hour captures the warmth, optimism and transience of light as it moves across the urban environment. The mural brings vibrancy and cultural value to Buffalo’s streetscape, reinforcing the importance of art in everyday public life.

Material Integrity with KEIM Mineral Paints

To achieve lasting colour depth and performance, Golden Hour was executed using KEIM mineral paints. Selected for their exceptional durability, lightfastness and environmental credentials, KEIM’s silicate-based mineral paints bond chemically with the substrate, ensuring long-term resistance to fading and weathering.

Unlike conventional coatings, KEIM mineral paints contain no plastics and are composed primarily of natural mineral ingredients. This makes them particularly suited to large-scale public artworks, where longevity, colour integrity and sustainability are essential.

The result is a mural that not only delivers visual impact but also aligns with the project’s broader commitment to resilient, low-impact and future-focused urban design.

A Model for Integrated Urban Regeneration

201 Ellicott Street exemplifies how affordable housing, sustainable mobility, food access and public art can work together to create meaningful and lasting community outcomes. Rather than treating these elements as separate priorities, the project integrates them into a cohesive vision that serves residents, neighbours and the wider city.

By combining thoughtful architecture, civic-minded planning and enduring materials, 201 Ellicott stands as a model for contemporary urban development – one that demonstrates how cities can grow more inclusive, connected and culturally rich for generations to come.