With the news that a Courtyard by Marriott will occupy the balance of the Donovan Building, development at Canalside appears to finally be ramping up.

According to the Business First report, the Marriott will fill the balance of the remodeled Donovan Building once it is completed late in 2013. The Marriott is expected to occupy the second, third and fourth floors with Phillips Lytle covering the upper four. The first floor has space to house retail or restaurant space.

This is a major step forward in the development of Buffalo’s waterfront district. Event when plans for the Donovan Building were unveiled, there wasn’t a commercial tenant like this to anchor the second half of the building’s space. With a national hotel chain placing 96 rooms and the potential of 192 beds a few feet from Canalside and a stone’s throw from First Niagara Center, the Canalside development now has a true cornerstone.

When Phillps Lytle announced they would be moving into a re-skinned Donovan Building last year, it was a huge step forward. With a national tenant signed on and the potential for two restaurants to anchor the ground floor, this is now a building that will attract some staying power to the Canalside district.

Perhaps the most important development with this announcement is the fact that a national chain has identified Canalside as an attractive destination for business development. With Marriott in their back pocket, Benderson can truly begin luring big names to build or occupy the Canalside development. Continue reading →