Buffalo Catholic Diocese Reduces Asking Price For HQ

In an effort to land a solid offer, the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo has reduced the asking price for its city headquarters - and supporting parcels - by nearly $1 million.

Acting on the advice of his listing agents - Hanna Commercial Real Estate’s Tim Hourihan and David Doerr - the parcels, centered around the five-story Catholic Center at 785 Main St., have been reduced to $8.9 million. The properties went on the commercial real estate market earlier this spring with a $9.8 million asking price.

“There has been a lot of activity and interest,” Hourihan said. “The tours we have given have been to good, serious interests.”

Hourihan said he expects an offer may be made within the next 30 days to 60 days.
“I’m confident we will get a solid offer,” Hourihan said.

The Diocese acquired the properties in 1985. The 785 Main Street building had been vacant since the Courier-Express closed in 1982.

Included in the listing is the five-story, 95,000-square-foot Catholic Center at 785 Main St.; an adjoining 31,000-square-foot building at 801 Main St., a 28,000-square-foot warehouse at 821 Main St. and a trio of surface parking lots at 814 Main St., 815 Main St. and 819 Main St. The three lots have a combined 200-plus parking spaces.

Insurance agency Walsh Duffield Cos. Inc. leases the 801 Main Street building and its lease runs through 2025.

“They will remain through the lease,” Hourihan said.

The Catholic Center building was constructed in 1930 for the Courier-Express. Designed by the Boston-based firm of Monks & Johnson and architect Henri D.A. Ganteaume, the building is noted for its medieval and Celtic images that pay homage to printers and the printing process and a nod to the Courier-Express newspaper.
The parcels are one of several the Diocese has put on the real estate market as it grapples with bankruptcy issues related to more than 900 child abuse claims that have been filed against the Diocese.