City Grill
 

Jim HoffmanJim Hofmann
Principal
Stantec

Hofmann notes three major trends in New York’s Buffalo and Niagara Falls area. “We’re seeing great opportunity in the health care sector as institutions look to make renovations, upgrades and additions to their facilities … as a result of new technology and patient care practices [as well as] the rising senior population,” he says.

Hofmann adds that “higher education providers are increasingly looking to enhance and adapt their campuses in response to advances in technology. There is also an ongoing focus on creating a vibrant campus environment that integrates with the local community while also creating an engaging destination of its own.”

Stantec has also supported clients such as the University of Buffalo “in campus master planning to help university leaders consider holistic, long-term plans for management and growth,” he says.

Additionally, “we’re experiencing strong activity in the public space, helping design projects that enhance the community experience,” Hofmann says.

He points to projects such as the Western New York Welcome Center in Grand Island; lighting of the Peace Bridge, which spans the Niagara River between Fort Erie, Ontario, and Buffalo; and design of the Niagara Falls International Airport.


Firm in Focus

Arc Building Partners
100 S. Elmwood Ave., Ste. 100, Buffalo, N.Y.
President: Frank Ciminelli II
Founded: 2017
What’s New: The firm is constructing a 25,000-sq-ft, two-story training facility for the Buffalo Bills football team after having completed major renovations to New Era Field. The ADPRO Sports Training Center at One Bills Drive will enhance the NFL team’s strength and conditioning, sports science, and sports medicine departments. A key component will be expanding the weight room into a state-of-the-art facility to attract top football talent and encourage players to stay in town for their off-season training. The center will incorporate cutting-edge elements including sleep pods, float tanks, a yoga studio, massage rooms and a second-floor cardio balcony. Architectural firm Populous designed the project. Arc began work in the fall of 2018, with project completion scheduled for 2019.