Jonny5
Senior Member
I love seeing this thread pop up like a zombie rising every year, much like Harry with a new press release about how close a project he's been working on for 15 years is to finally launching.
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- Thread starter androiduk
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AlbertC
Superstar
Nothing keeps this forum ticking more than Stinson updates!
ownthesky
Active Member
Harry Stinson’s latest school-to-condo conversion in receivership
Developer Harry Stinson said he hopes to continue the project by bringing in a new partner
www.thespec.com
The Gibson Lofts, a perpetual work-in-progress eyesore on Barton, back in the news!
AlbertC
Superstar
Things are potentially a bit rosier in Buffalo for Stinson, although uncertainty remains:
www.wgrz.com
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The former Buffalo Grand Hotel was damaged by arson in late 2021 and still hasn't reopened. Now, the owner of Buffalo's largest hotel says he plans on reopening some of the rooms this summer.
With nearly five-hundred rooms, the continued closure of this hotel has impacted the events Visit Buffalo Niagara can get to come to Buffalo. Patrick Kaler, Visit Buffalo Niagara's President and CEO, last met with hotel owner Harry Stinson before Christmas.
"There's a lot to be done in this property, and I don't believe that anything has been done since I last toured," said Kaler.
Stinson told 2 On Your Side on Tuesday over the phone that he plans to have two to three floors of rooms available by early this summer, late June or early July.
"I have toured the property, and I would say I would be cautiously optimistic that he can pull that off," said Kaler.
If you go to the hotel's website, you'll see a message saying the hotel and event space are reopening in 2024, which did not happen. Kaler said not having those rooms available is contributing to the shortage of hotel rooms in Buffalo, which led to Western New York losing out on hosting 21 events last year alone.
"I'm not talking to meeting planners about the possibility of this until I see a flag on this hotel, that rooms are operational, and that he's got staff in place. There's just nothing I can do until I have complete confidence that this is an operating hotel," said Kaler.
Meanwhile, Stinson told 2 On Your Side the hotel is "not going away" and he's talking with three hotel brands and is deciding on which one to choose. Stinson also said he is close to finalizing the refinancing of the property.
"The fact that he is entertaining conversations with three brands, that gives me some hope, but they also need to come and see what they're getting themselves into," said Kaler.
2 On Your Side did ask the City of Buffalo if any new permits have been issued for construction or occupancy, but have not yet heard back. We'll update this story when we learn more.
Buffalo's largest hotel may reopen soon
Buffalo Grand Hotel aims to reopen rooms by summer, potentially easing the local room shortage.
www.wgrz.com
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The former Buffalo Grand Hotel was damaged by arson in late 2021 and still hasn't reopened. Now, the owner of Buffalo's largest hotel says he plans on reopening some of the rooms this summer.
With nearly five-hundred rooms, the continued closure of this hotel has impacted the events Visit Buffalo Niagara can get to come to Buffalo. Patrick Kaler, Visit Buffalo Niagara's President and CEO, last met with hotel owner Harry Stinson before Christmas.
"There's a lot to be done in this property, and I don't believe that anything has been done since I last toured," said Kaler.
Stinson told 2 On Your Side on Tuesday over the phone that he plans to have two to three floors of rooms available by early this summer, late June or early July.
"I have toured the property, and I would say I would be cautiously optimistic that he can pull that off," said Kaler.
If you go to the hotel's website, you'll see a message saying the hotel and event space are reopening in 2024, which did not happen. Kaler said not having those rooms available is contributing to the shortage of hotel rooms in Buffalo, which led to Western New York losing out on hosting 21 events last year alone.
"I'm not talking to meeting planners about the possibility of this until I see a flag on this hotel, that rooms are operational, and that he's got staff in place. There's just nothing I can do until I have complete confidence that this is an operating hotel," said Kaler.
Meanwhile, Stinson told 2 On Your Side the hotel is "not going away" and he's talking with three hotel brands and is deciding on which one to choose. Stinson also said he is close to finalizing the refinancing of the property.
"The fact that he is entertaining conversations with three brands, that gives me some hope, but they also need to come and see what they're getting themselves into," said Kaler.
2 On Your Side did ask the City of Buffalo if any new permits have been issued for construction or occupancy, but have not yet heard back. We'll update this story when we learn more.
Northern Light
Superstar
Things are potentially a bit rosier in Buffalo for Stinson, although uncertainty remains:
Buffalo's largest hotel may reopen soon
Buffalo Grand Hotel aims to reopen rooms by summer, potentially easing the local room shortage.
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The former Buffalo Grand Hotel was damaged by arson in late 2021 and still hasn't reopened. Now, the owner of Buffalo's largest hotel says he plans on reopening some of the rooms this summer.
With nearly five-hundred rooms, the continued closure of this hotel has impacted the events Visit Buffalo Niagara can get to come to Buffalo. Patrick Kaler, Visit Buffalo Niagara's President and CEO, last met with hotel owner Harry Stinson before Christmas.
"There's a lot to be done in this property, and I don't believe that anything has been done since I last toured," said Kaler.
Stinson told 2 On Your Side on Tuesday over the phone that he plans to have two to three floors of rooms available by early this summer, late June or early July.
"I have toured the property, and I would say I would be cautiously optimistic that he can pull that off," said Kaler.
If you go to the hotel's website, you'll see a message saying the hotel and event space are reopening in 2024, which did not happen. Kaler said not having those rooms available is contributing to the shortage of hotel rooms in Buffalo, which led to Western New York losing out on hosting 21 events last year alone.
"I'm not talking to meeting planners about the possibility of this until I see a flag on this hotel, that rooms are operational, and that he's got staff in place. There's just nothing I can do until I have complete confidence that this is an operating hotel," said Kaler.
Meanwhile, Stinson told 2 On Your Side the hotel is "not going away" and he's talking with three hotel brands and is deciding on which one to choose. Stinson also said he is close to finalizing the refinancing of the property.
"The fact that he is entertaining conversations with three brands, that gives me some hope, but they also need to come and see what they're getting themselves into," said Kaler.
2 On Your Side did ask the City of Buffalo if any new permits have been issued for construction or occupancy, but have not yet heard back. We'll update this story when we learn more.
That's Harry.........getting by....doing as little useful as possible, for as long as possible.......
Harry should find a way to semi-gracefully exit the property market, with enough money to fund a modest retirement.......... - his - .........and stop leaving communities damaged by his neglect.
ShonTron
Moderator
So much for that.
www.wgrz.com
City moves to seize the vacant Buffalo Grand Hotel
Buffalo officials have announced plans to take control of a long-vacant downtown hotel. Here’s why they’re taking action — and what could happen next ⬇️
www.wgrz.com
Northern Light
Superstar
So much for that.
City moves to seize the vacant Buffalo Grand Hotel
Buffalo officials have announced plans to take control of a long-vacant downtown hotel. Here’s why they’re taking action — and what could happen next ⬇️
I wish our own city would be so ambitious.
AlbertC
Superstar
From Feb 19th:
Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - When it comes to long vacant Buffalo Grand Hotel, Mayor Sean Ryan says enough is enough and he has issued an ultimatum to Canadian developer Harry Stinson.
Ryan, confirmed Wednesday, he has given Stinson 90 days to secure financing for the 486-room downtown hotel, or he will begin legal action to seize the property and find a new developer.
And, Ryan said he expects a detailed update every 30 days.
"I believe in verification," Ryan said.
The fate of the 10-story, 48-year-old hotel has been a lingering downtown and hospitality industry issue since it was shuttered during the early pandemic days in March 2020.
Stinson bought the hotel in 2018 and promised a complete make over.
For his part, Stinson believes he can secure the financing he needs and bring the Buffalo Grand back to life.
Stinson was close to re-opening the hotel in late 2021, but a New Year's Eve fire severely damaged portions of the Buffalo Grand. It took Stinson more than four years to gain an insurance settlement.
The issue has been simmering and came to forefront last summer when then-acting Mayor Chris Scanlon said unless Stinson made noticeable progress, he was going to begin legal proceedings to take over the hotel.
Ryan said the future of the hotel is a key item on his overall agenda to revive an ailing Downtown Buffalo.
A renovated hotel could bolster efforts by Visit Buffalo to land more conventions and meetings, many of which bypass the city because of the limited number of downtown hotel rooms.
A Visit Buffalo study, just released this week, said the city needs at least 400 more hotel rooms - sooner rather than later.
Ryan said the state Democratic Party committee rejected a bid to hold its annual convention in Buffalo because of the limited supply of hotel rooms.
"If you want to bring in an upper level NCAA event, or anything else, the only way that is going to happen is with more hotel rooms," Ryan said.
Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - When it comes to long vacant Buffalo Grand Hotel, Mayor Sean Ryan says enough is enough and he has issued an ultimatum to Canadian developer Harry Stinson.
Ryan, confirmed Wednesday, he has given Stinson 90 days to secure financing for the 486-room downtown hotel, or he will begin legal action to seize the property and find a new developer.
And, Ryan said he expects a detailed update every 30 days.
"I believe in verification," Ryan said.
The fate of the 10-story, 48-year-old hotel has been a lingering downtown and hospitality industry issue since it was shuttered during the early pandemic days in March 2020.
Stinson bought the hotel in 2018 and promised a complete make over.
For his part, Stinson believes he can secure the financing he needs and bring the Buffalo Grand back to life.
Stinson was close to re-opening the hotel in late 2021, but a New Year's Eve fire severely damaged portions of the Buffalo Grand. It took Stinson more than four years to gain an insurance settlement.
The issue has been simmering and came to forefront last summer when then-acting Mayor Chris Scanlon said unless Stinson made noticeable progress, he was going to begin legal proceedings to take over the hotel.
Ryan said the future of the hotel is a key item on his overall agenda to revive an ailing Downtown Buffalo.
A renovated hotel could bolster efforts by Visit Buffalo to land more conventions and meetings, many of which bypass the city because of the limited number of downtown hotel rooms.
A Visit Buffalo study, just released this week, said the city needs at least 400 more hotel rooms - sooner rather than later.
Ryan said the state Democratic Party committee rejected a bid to hold its annual convention in Buffalo because of the limited supply of hotel rooms.
"If you want to bring in an upper level NCAA event, or anything else, the only way that is going to happen is with more hotel rooms," Ryan said.