What’s New in Buffalo’s
Hospitality Industry

The Millennium Airport Hotel Buffalo will start the first phase of an estimated $10 million renovation program early next year that will result in $6 million in upgrades and improvements to all 300 guest rooms.  The hotel is also planning on spending nearly $4 million on renovating its meeting rooms, indoor swimming pools and restaurants.  The Millennium Airport Hotel Buffalo is the area’s sixth largest hotel, and one of the region’s busiest with close proximity to the Walden Galleria, the region’s largest shopping center, and New York State Thruway. 

The Hampton Inn adjacent to University at Buffalo in Amherst is now known as Hotel Indigo. The Cheektowaga-based Hart Hotels Inc. switched the Hampton’s name to Hotel Indigo, after becoming affiliated with the emerging, upper-end product from the Intercontinental Hotels chain. The state’s first Hotel Indigo also underwent a $6 million renovation.

Hyatt Regency Buffalo will get a $13.5 million renovation as part of a plan to increase convention business and tourism. The renovations, which include all 401 rooms, corridors, lobbies, public spaces, ballrooms and banquet facilities are expected to take nine months to complete. The Hyatt Regency is attached to the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center.

The new owners of the Buffalo Niagara Marriott in nearby Amherst are planning to spend up to $20 million on their previously announced renovation of the hotel to keep it competitive with local businesses. Renovations are expected to take place over the next two years. The Buffalo Niagara Marriott is the largest full-service hotel in Amherst and is an important facility for meetings, conferences, social and charitable events.

The Adam’s Mark was recently sold to the Oxford Lodging Advisory & Investment LLC who plan to spend more than $1 million in renovations to the 486-room hotel. The sale was completed in September after being acquired in Spring 2007. In the short term, the name will remain the same, but options are being weighed for the hotel’s brand name change. Hospitality industry sources speculate that Sheraton or Hilton are the most likely candidates. The Adam’s Mark is the area’s second-largest hotel.

British developer Bashar Issa recently purchased the Statler Towers for $3.5 million dollars. This building was the original home of the Statler Hilton chain. The Statler Towers has 18 stories, with a majority of the floors used for professional offices. The new owner has decided to keep the three floors of original hotel rooms intact and outfit them in an art deco theme. Plans to re-open as soon as next Spring are underway as well as a search for a national brand to operate the hotel. Issa was in Buffalo for several weeks to advance plans for the $130 million Statler overhaul.

Acquest Development has teamed up with Uniland Development to convert the former Federal Building, now known as 200 Delaware into a state-of-the-art multi-use facility with $65 million in renovations. The 400,000 square foot building will contain “Class A” office space, luxury residential condominiums, and restaurant. The lower seven floors of the building will be transformed into a 150-room, all-suites Embassy Suites, a high-end hotel part of the Hilton Hotels Corporation. The building covers an entire city block in the center of downtown. Completion is expected to take place in Spring 2009.

Duo restaurant in the Downtown Theatre District recently opened to rave reviews. The high-end restaurant, formerly the city’s Brownstone Bistro, is owned and operated by Paul LaMorticella, a well-known designer of over sixteen restaurants and some of Buffalo’s finest eateries. Seating is available both upstairs and downstairs and there is a large outdoor patio with its own full bar. This swank restaurant features marble, blown glass and blacklit mirrors that create an imaginative atmosphere. Bartenders and servers sport festive themed wear based on corresponding productions at area theatrical venues. Duo is located at 297 Franklin Street, Buffalo. Reservations are recommended, 716-858-4370.