by KEATON T. DEPRIEST
Associate Editor – Amherst Bee
Blending retail, offices, restaurants and luxury apartments, University Place at 1280 Sweet Home Road near the University at Buffalo opened to the public in November, bringing what its developer calls a one-of-a-kind experience to Amherst.
With two, four-story buildings to the north and south composed of retail outlets and apartments with 10-foot high ceilings, the rear of the property is comprised of a six-story Staybridge Suites hotel.
Jonathan Bevilacqua, left, and his father, Jim, are partners at Bevilacqua Development Co., a firm which recently opened University Placeat 1280 Sweet Home Road near the University at Buffalo. The development features retail stores, offices and 42 luxury apartments that include large bedrooms, modern kitchens and open-concept designs.
Bevilacqua Development Co. initially purchased the site and maintains the north and south buildings. The company sold the portion of the lot that contains the Staybridge to Ellicott Development Co. for its use.
“The [property’s] concept was designed after I had seen a similar complex near the University of Notre Dame, where I went school,” said Jonathan Bevilacqua, a partner at Bevilacqua Development. “This is something unique forAmherst. This is the first, true mixed-use building where there are multiple buildings in the project.”
He said the concept of the complex is to create a compact urban style community that’s walkable for nearby students.
Bevilacqua added that although the University Place may be accessed by college students, the apartments are not meant for students, especially undergraduates.
“These are high-end apartments, so they are targeted to graduate students and young professionals,” he said.
Bevilacqua, a graduate of the University at Buffalo’s School of Law, said the complex’s apartments are called “The Exchange,” which features 42 high-end units and 14 different floor plans.
The apartments feature modern layouts with open concepts and high-end designer finishes. Each unit also features an oversized kitchen island with quartz countertops, large master bedrooms, walk-in closets and on-suite bathrooms. Some of the apartments have attached balconies.
“The interiors are designed to look like condos in New York City,” Bevilacqua said. “They each have contemporary finishes.”
Bevilacqua said prices range from about $1,400 per month for a one-bedroom apartment to $1,750 per month for a two-bedroom unit. The apartments also range in size from 1,200 square feet to 2,000 square feet depending on the floor plan.
“There is still one retail space available right now,” he said. “Also, only about 15 apartments remain available.”
Bevilacqua said the north building, which includes Mighty Taco and the Blue Bull Tavern, will add a roof deck terrace for use by apartment residents in the spring.
“The roof deck will have lounge chairs and an area for the tenants to relax,” he said. “There will also be outdoor speakers on the roof.”
The south building will include a pizza company and Dunkin’ Donuts.
Bevilacqua said in the spring, University Place will be adding abundant landscaping complete with outdoor benches.
“Also, the restaurant tenants on the ground level will have their outdoor patios open in the spring,” he said.
For more information about University Place or The Exchange apartments, visit www.theexchangebuffalo.com or call 691-7444.