The opportunity knocks: The Alexander – Buffalo Rising

The Alexander apartment building, last purchased by Noel Sutton of Sutton Development in 2018, is now for sale. Sutton says he’s worked extensively on the property over the past six years, starting with renovating the 17 apartments and, more recently, replacing the complex roof, “which was a much larger project than initially anticipated.” .”

When considering The Alexander (corner of Richmond and Bryant), it’s easy to see how unique this building is compared to Richmond Avenue and all of Buffalo for that matter. Sutton said that for years he would drive past the structure and say to himself that one day he would buy it and fix it up. There was a time, before he took it back in 2018, when the building was suffering at the hands of its previous owner. True to his word, Sutton purchased it and then spent six years gradually investing in the operational aspects of the building, as well as its overall aesthetic.

“When you look at a building of this nature,” says Sutton. “It is important to consider each feature, in the same way we perceive the stained glass windows of our historic churches, similar to the cymatics of architecture. By painting it correctly and highlighting the embellishments, we perceive the building in a more uplifting way because we pay homage to the true harmony of the work of art. And this building is a work of art. Its frequency resonates throughout the neighborhood, projected even further as it provides a solid anchor in a privileged corner – a corner considered a gateway to the West Side. You could say that, like a lighthouse, this building is a beacon that emits its own vibrational pattern. I have come to understand the intricacies of architecture better in recent years; Buffalo’s historic and architectural buildings are much like “frozen music”: you can observe them the same way you might listen to the symphony at Kleinhans Music Hall, just down the street.

By spending so much time and energy repairing the Alexander, Sutton says he is ultimately paying tribute to the building’s master architects and builders. Although he found little to no information about those who created him, his legacy speaks for itself. The Alexander is a work of such magnitude that it resonates symbiotically in an equally irrepressible neighborhood – a neighborhood that has experienced a veritable renaissance in recent times. Between all the investment along the Connecticut Street Corridor and the “onwards and upwards” tenacity of Five Points (just a few blocks away), the Alexander is – once again – in the prime of its life.

In order to bring the building up to standard (over the years), Sutton equipped each of the 17 units with new bathrooms and kitchens. He updated the electrical and plumbing, as well as the boilers (with instant hot water and steam heat). The common spaces have been enhanced and the interior courtyard has been given a new look. I found it interesting that this very building had an interior courtyard, not to mention one that has been embellished with a vibrant mural by master decorator Michael Mammana. Sutton says the mural has become a source of inspiration for tenants throughout the year.

The mural is one thing. The exterior paint job and roof replacement on this 9,662 square foot beauty is another. Sutton told me that finding someone to tackle these projects was Not that easy.

“It took a while, but I finally found Mike “Cowboy” Campbell who did the primary disassembly and reconstruction of this complex roof,” Sutton says. “I wanted to keep it authentic – keep the original ‘frequency’ intact, which was a herculean task. Campbell worked alongside Mike Millidge (All In Roofing) – another young rockstar who took care of the metal finishes, including renovating the turrets which resemble a mix of Victorian, castle and empire style architecture. Now the building is 100% complete (including scuppers and gutters), and it is turnkey for the next owner/custodian. I am looking for a successor as steward of the Alexander – someone who appreciates the building’s heritage as an 1840s castle-like structure that has been upgraded to 2024 standards.”

Just as he has been the caretaker of this vast property, Sutton is now looking for a new owner to take the helm. To this end, he specifies that the apartments are currently fully rented and that visits begin this Saturday.

The Alexander is listed at $2.6 million.

Connect: Megan Saddleson | 716-913-4724