Development & Construction
BestSelf’s Corporate Headquarters & Child Advocacy Center
Uniland led the complete redevelopment of 899 Main Street in downtown Buffalo, transforming the existing building into a new corporate headquarters and Child Advocacy Center at BestSelf Behavioral Health. This $22 million project involved significant renovations, including the addition of a third floor to accommodate BestSelf’s expanding needs. The result is a state-of-the-art facility providing a modern and supportive environment for both BestSelf’s administrative operations and the critical services offered by the Child Advocacy Center.
About The BestSelf Construction Project
Uniland Development Company spearheaded a comprehensive $22 million redevelopment of 899 Main Street in downtown Buffalo, transforming it into the new corporate headquarters and home for the Child Advocacy Center for BestSelf Behavioral Health, the largest community-based behavioral health organization in Western New York serving over 41,000 children and adults with mental health and substance abuse disorders. The Scott Bieler Child Advocacy Center at BestSelf consolidates services previously spread across multiple locations, bringing together a multidisciplinary team under one roof. The team includes law enforcement, victim advocates, forensic interviewers, medical examiners, prosecutors, and mental health providers working collaboratively to provide safety, support, and healing.
This project involved substantial renovation, including the addition of a third floor to accommodate BestSelf’s expanding needs at this facility on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. Construction highlights include:
- Structural Enhancements: Construction of a third floor with 14-foot ceilings to maximize natural light, supported by a new steel structure.
- Mechanical Systems: Installation of a full building generator for uninterrupted operations, a new cooling tower, 87 new heat pumps, and energy recovery units to improve efficiency.
- Safety & Security: Upgrades to fire suppression systems with new fire pumps and sprinklers throughout the building. Implementation of a card access system integrated with Kaleida Health for enhanced security.
- Interior Improvements:
- Installation of radiant heat and baseboard heaters for comfortable temperature control.
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Colorful and engaging design and decor elements throughout the facility create a collaborative and productive workspace for BestSelf employees as well as a welcoming and comfortable environment for Child Advocacy Center patients and their casework support team.
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Creation of a dug-out basement lunchroom, workspaces, and a community training center.
- Development of a fitness center with upgraded lighting.
- Retractable glass doors on the third floor to provide flexibility and expand the indoor-outdoor space.
- Installation of handicap-accessible doors throughout the building
- Creation of a dynamic, MWBE-owned retail coffee shop onsite to support employees, patients, and guests.
- Exterior Enhancements: Repaving of the parking lot and landscaping upgrades.
- Energy Efficiency & Acoustic Comfort: Improvements to building insulation and soundproofing to enhance energy efficiency, patient confidentiality, and reduce noise transfer.
This project resulted in a state-of-the-art facility providing a modern and supportive environment for BestSelf’s administrative operations and the critical services offered by the Child Advocacy Center.
“The expanded center will enable BestSelf to serve every child in our community who needs support. This represents a monumental improvement from the CAC’s previous location, which could only accommodate one-third of the more than 3,000 annual cases of sexual abuse reported in Erie County. We are grateful to the community for helping us achieve this critical milestone,” said President and CEO Elizabeth Woike-Ganga.
Award-Winning Construction Management
The BestSelf project has been lauded as the Building Redevelopment of the Year by the Building Owners and Managers Association of Greater Buffalo (BOMA), and as the CoStar Community Impact Awards’ Buffalo Redevelopment of the Year in recognition of its transformational impact on BestSelf and Western New York.
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3rd Floor Addition
Framing
Completed Building Walkthrough
In The Media
The BestSelf construction project has received significant media coverage. Click to links below to read more.
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Project Renderings & Photos
Explore the state-of-the-art facility providing a modern and supportive environment for both BestSelf’s administrative operations and the critical services offered by the Child Advocacy Center.
Construction Highlights
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3rd Story Addition
To enhance the building’s functionality and aesthetic appeal, a third floor with impressive 14-foot ceilings was constructed. To safely support this significant structural change, a robust new steel framework was meticulously engineered and installed, ensuring the integrity and longevity of the entire building.
Floor-to-Ceiling Windows
Floor-to-ceiling windows are a highly desirable feature in modern office spaces, but their implementation requires specialized expertise. Unlike standard windows, they demand careful consideration of structural integrity, thermal performance, and solar control. Engineers must ensure the building’s frame can support the increased weight and wind loads of large glass surfaces. Architects need to select high-performance glazing that maximizes natural light while minimizing heat gain and glare. These complexities make floor-to-ceiling windows a unique construction feature that requires a multidisciplinary approach and careful planning to achieve optimal results.
Retractable Glass Doors
Retractable glass doors provide a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor environments. These innovative systems utilize high-quality glass panels that can be opened and closed, effectively transforming a wall into an open doorway. This creates a dynamic and flexible workspace that can adapt to changing weather conditions and employee preferences. By blurring the lines between indoors and outdoors, retractable glass doors enhance employee well-being and productivity. They allow for increased natural ventilation, improved access to fresh air and daylight, and a stronger connection to the surrounding environment. However, the successful integration of retractable glass doors requires careful planning and expertise. Factors such as weatherproofing, structural integrity, and energy efficiency must be carefully considered. Engineers and architects must collaborate to ensure the system functions smoothly, provides adequate insulation, and meets all building codes and safety regulations.
Construction Project Team
Expert-Led. Tech-Powered.
Construction of BestSelf’s new Corporate Headquarters and Child Advocacy Center (CAC) was led by a team of seasoned industry experts. With decades of experience in managing large-scale projects, Uniland’s team ensures efficiency and quality throughout the process. We utilize advanced project management tools like Procore® to provide real-time insights into project status, progress, and expenses, helping with the delivery of projects on-time and on-budget.
David J. Reilly (Retired)
Vice President of Construction and Planning & Design
Since joining Uniland in 1979, Dave has overseen and successfully delivered a wide range of complex projects, ranging from fast-track commercial developments to intricate residential and institutional buildings. His expertise in design-build projects has been instrumental in streamlining the construction process and ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget.
Dave’s ability to navigate challenging timelines and deliver projects that exceed client expectations has solidified Uniland’s reputation as a leading construction firm. His deep understanding of the industry, combined with his strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, has enabled him to consistently deliver exceptional results.
Dennis Steszewski
Senior Construction Executive
Dennis is a seasoned construction professional with a proven track record spanning over three decades. His extensive experience in commercial real estate construction and project management has equipped him with a deep understanding of the industry and a keen ability to deliver successful projects.
With over 25 years of dedicated service to commercial real estate construction, Dennis has successfully overseen a diverse range of projects, ranging from office and medical, to warehouse and educational.
Kevin B. Kirk
Director of Planning and Design
Kevin Kirk, R.A., leads Uniland’s in-house team of architectural designers, interior designers and space planners. He is responsible for the development of building design concepts, coordination of site master plans, and the creation of construction documents.
Mr. Kirk has more than 20 years of experience in the design industry and has been with Uniland since 2007. His dedication to high performance results have led to many successful leasing contracts and high customer satisfaction.
About BestSelf Behavioral Health
BestSelf Behavioral Health is a leading provider of comprehensive mental health and substance abuse treatment services for individuals of all ages, including children, adults, and families. They offer a wide range of services, such as individual and group therapy, medication management, and intensive outpatient programs. Our team of experienced clinicians and support staff is dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based care in a supportive and welcoming environment. BestSelf believes in empowering individuals to overcome challenges, build resilience, and achieve their full potential.
For more information on BestSelf, visit: https://www.bestselfwny.org/
Uniland: A Legacy You Can Trust
Uniland Development Company is a full-service commercial real estate development firm with over five decades of experience developing, leasing, and managing industrial properties in Western New York. Since 1974 when Carl J. Montante built a warehouse in Tonawanda to store car tires for his father’s shop, Uniland has become the largest and most trusted real estate developer in the Buffalo area. Our company has developed more than 16 million square feet in the Buffalo and Rochester markets including over 8 million square feet under management. Today, our industrial portfolio includes over 2 million square feet in Erie County.
As the largest local commercial developer according to Buffalo Business First, Uniland manages nearly 300 properties with a diverse team of over 200 associates who share our passion for our customers and our community.
We have built more facilities for Fortune 500 companies than any other developer in the region. In addition to global brands, we provide industrial space to growing Western New York-based companies such as Canisius University and D’Youville University.
For more information on Development opportunities, contact:
Phone: 716.834.5000
Email: [email protected]
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