Voelkers

Voelker's was built in 1892 and was originally used as a hotel and tavern. Over time the hotel became apartments, and the tavern transitioned into a bowling alley. It is regarded as the entrance to the Black-Rock and Grant-Amherst neighborhood.

The condition of the building is in disrepair and will be replaced with a new, mixed-income multifamily residential building. The design contains a ground floor commercial space along Elmwood Avenue to activate the street front and pays homage to the bowling alley. 

A 3.102 acre Planned Unit Development will host a mixed-use, 275-unit development. The project proposes 230-units of multifamily housing. The mixed-use commercial space will be located in the first floor of the building along Elwood Avenue. It will contain an 11,000 SF commercial bowling alley and bar, community room, building staff office space, and mail room. 

The project proposes a City Block style mixed-use building with the combination of the eight (8) subject parcels into one lot. This City Block Building Fronts Elmwood Avenue, Amherst Street, and Marion Street. The façade along Marion and Amherst transitions to a more town house style residential look that is consistent with the character of the surrounding community. 
A curb cut is proposed off Amherst Street in the Southwest corner of the development. This leads to a private parking lot which includes 77 parking spaces. Of those parking spaces, (6) six are electric vehicle spaces and (4) four are ADA parking spaces.  

A central green space is proposed within the parking courtyard for snow storage and a seasonal play area. 

SAA|EVI Buffalo, NY 2026