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$2.5M project to transform Buffalo's Hamlin House into apartments

By submitting your information you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy and User Agreement . Join the Buffalo Business First to unlock even more insights! VisoneCo is moving forward with its plan to convert a historic mansion and former American Legion post in Buffalo into a mixed-use building. Story Highlights VisoneCo is planning a $2.5 million conversion of a historic Buffalo mansion. The Hamlin House, constructed in 1866, previously housed an American Legion post and a restaurant. The project will create 13 apartments and commercial space. VisoneCo is moving forward with its plan to convert a historic mansion and former American Legion post in Buffalo into a mixed-use building. Chief Operating Officer Tom Celik said the $2.5 million project at the Hamlin House, 432 Franklin St., is set to move forward within the next month or two, pending approvals from the city and the awarding of historic tax credits. GET TO KNOW YOUR CITY Find Local Events Near You Connect with a community of local professionals. Explore All Events "We're really excited about the project," Celik said. "We love the building, we love the history of the building, and we want to be respectful to it and bring it back to life." The company plans to convert it into 13 apartments, with one commercial space in the former ballroom. VisoneCo will act as its own general contractor. Though city approvals from the preservation board and planning board are pending, the company has already put the project out to bid. The building previously housed an American Legion post and the Hamlin House restaurant. VisoneCo bought the building from the American Legion post for $375,000 in 2023. Preliminary cleanup and restoration work is already underway, Celik said. VisoneCo has purchased other properties on Franklin Street and hopes to do more development work in the area. "That area on Franklin needs more density," Celik said. "There are a lot of businesses all around, which is great, but it's good to have some people in the neighborhood to spur the economy in the area." The mansion was first constructed as a single-family home for Cicero Hamlin, a 19th-century store owner and real estate investor. Construction on the house started in 1860 but was stalled due a a shortage of construction materials caused by the Civil War. It was completed in 1866. The Hamlin family lived there until 1886. The building later was occupied by the German Orpheus Singing Society. The American Legion bought the building in 1939. The Hamlin House restaurant opened inside the post in 1989 and operated there until closing in August 2022.