Law Firm Buys Building For Over $1.3 Million in Buffalo

A signature downtown Buffalo building that serves as a gateway into the rejuvenated 500 block of Main Street is poised to become the headquarters for a prominent regional law firm.

The Nicotra Law Firm P.C., through its 487 Main LLC affiliate, paid $1,348,300 for the 102-year-old, multi-tenant building at 487 Main St., buying from 487 Main Street LLC, which is affiliated with Carmina Wood Design partners Steve Carmina and Chris Wood. The deal closed on June 4, according to documents filed in the Erie County Clerk's office.

487 Main Street LLC bought and renovated the building in 2004.

“We consider it a big step,” said Richard Nicotra, law firm partner and namesake.
The Nicotra Law Firm currently leases space on Franklin Street in downtown Buffalo, but will move into its new headquarters later this summer. The law firm, which has 15 employees, will occupy the building’s fifth and sixth floors. The firm specializes in personal injury cases.

“This is a nice spot and great location,” Nicotra said.

Carmina Wood Design is relocating to Silo City.

The eCafe, a long time tenant in the 487 Main Street Building, is moving just across Main Street.

Nicotra said he hopes to land a new restaurant or cafe for the first floor space.
“We’d love to have a deli or cafe there,” Nicotra said.

The nearly 15,000-square-foot building was constructed by the Childs Co., a New York City-based restaurant company, that operated one of its four local eateries in the building until just after World War II ended. For many years, the building was branded the Nellany Building after one of its office tenants.

In the late 1960s through the late 1980s, McDonald’s operated a “townhouse” style restaurant in the building.

The deal was brokered by Richard Schechter and Tyler Ballentine from Pyramid Brokerage Co. of Buffalo.