By JAMES FINK
jfink@bizjournals.com | 716-541-1611

A former paper warehouse in downtown Buffalo that was vacant but now houses area college students has been selected "Building of the Year" in Business First's annual Brick by Brick awards.

Architect and developer Jake Schneider converted the former Alling & Cory warehouse on North Division Street into the Lofts @ 136, which has 92 student apartments plus a Wilson Farms Convenience Store on the main floor. The building welcomed tenants last fall.

Also being honored is Max Becker Jr., chairman of Gurney Becker & Bourne - the region's oldest commercial and residential estate firm. He is considered to be the dean of local real estate.

In addition, 24 other projects will be honored during the Brick by Brick ceremony. They range from a new casino at the Erie County Fairgrounds to the restoration of an 1800s barn that serves as the centerpiece of the Buffalo Zoo's children's zoo area. The awards will be presented Sept, 15 at the Statler Towers.

"Looking at this year's honorees, it is a diverse list that shows the breadth of the local construction industry," said Jack Connors, Business First president and publisher. "Even in a slow economy, there were some pretty significant projects completed in recent months."

The honorees are:

• New Construction - Anderson Equipment Co.'s Military Road offices; Niagara Tourism & Convention Corp. Visitors Center and corporate offices; and St. Mary's Church in Swormville.

• Best Education Project - Buffalo Public School No. 54/the Dr. George E. Blackman School of Excellence; Buffalo Public School No. 195/City Honors; and D'Youville College's Academic Center.

• Historic Preservation - Restoration of 740 Seneca St., the former Schaefer Grocery Store, into a mixed-use building anchored by the architectural firm of Young & Wright; and Delta Sonic Heritage Farm at the Buffalo Zoo.

• Best Office or Development - Southeast Works' Lincoln Street facility in Depew; Southwestern Professional and Medical Office Park in Hamburg; and the William Seneca Office Building in Irving.

• Multi-Residential Development - the 448 Elmwood Ave. building in Buffalo; Amherst Station Apartments on Main Street, Buffalo; and Lofts at Warwick on Parkside Avenue, Buffalo.

• Best Medical Complex - Buffalo Public School No. 84 (Health Care Center for Children at Erie County Medical Center); Pediatric & Adolescent Urgent Care of WNY on Maple Road in Amherst; and Whiteman & Manente Orthodontics, Niagara Falls.

• Best Retail or Restaurant Complex - Buffalo Niagara Convention Center renovations; Four Points by Sheraton hotel conversion in Niagara Falls; and the Hamburg Casino at the Fairgrounds.

• Best Green Rehab of an Existing Building - The Academy Place Apartments & Community Place, Gowanda; Amherst Station Apartments, Buffalo; and the 920-049 Amherst St. apartment complex, Buffalo.

Judging was handled by Jennifer Aiple, executive director of the Greater Buffalo Building Owners & Managers Association; Keith Belanger, M&T Bank senior vice president and chairman of Buffalo Place Inc.; and David Stebbins, vice president, Buffalo Urban Development Corp.

For tickets or more information, contact Karen Schiffmacher at 716-541-1631 orkschiffmacher@bizjournals.com.