Olympic Avenue Apartments-School 78

Our team provided mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering services for the $19 million project that converted the 83,545 square foot building of closed Buffalo Public School #78, into a 46-unit affordable housing complex. The school was constructed in 1927 and is listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. This project looked at preserving many of the historical aspects of the building.

The new apartment complex consists of 43 one-bedroom units and 3 two-bedroom units. Each apartment retains elements of the original school design, such as wood, chalkboards and skylights. Many existing spaces throughout the school were given new life, including the auditorium, which was converted into a community space. Other amenities of the building include a community kitchen, computer room, fitness facilities, storage space, two laundry facilities, and dedicated outdoor spaces with benches and picnic tables.

This project included a new roof with green features, new mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection systems throughout, energy-efficient doors and windows, energy efficient appliances and lighting, and water-saving plumbing fixtures.

This project was completed in May 2024.

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Project Highlights:

• Low Income Housing Tax Credits
• NYS Homes & Community Renewal
• NYSOPRHP Historic Tax Credits
• Empire State Development Funding
• NYSERDA Funding