Vistas at Avant and Flex Warehouse & Storage Suites at Eastport Highlight New Product Types Driving Growth in Western New York
Two innovative Uniland projects have been named finalists for Buffalo Business First’s 2026 Brick by Brick Awards, which recognize the region’s top construction and development projects completed in the past year.
Uniland’s projects named as finalists include:
Vistas at Avant Furnished Apartments in the Multi-Residential category: Expanding the impact of Avant, a premier mixed-use building in the heart of downtown Buffalo, Uniland’s Vistas at Avant introduces a new short-term, fully furnished lifestyle option to those seeking upscale living in the heart of the Queen City. This is the first fully furnished residential option of this caliber in the Central Business District, and it is one of Uniland’s recent investments and initiatives that are strengthening downtown’s vibrancy. Vistas residents add to the energy at Avant, which is home to the recently transformed Embassy Suites Buffalo hotel, luxury condominiums, Class A office space, and the acclaimed Bella Ciao restaurant.
The creation of Vistas at Avant began during the COVID pandemic, as the hospitality sector was reeling and the Embassy Suites Buffalo was planning its first renovation. Uniland CEO Michael J. Montante directed the company’s in-house Development department to explore alternative uses for some of the hotel space. The team subsequently recommended transforming some of the legacy hotel floors into fully furnished premium short-term apartments in downtown Buffalo to serve a range of potential residents.
Embracing the opportunity to extend Avant’s innovative heritage, Uniland upgraded the hotel’s two upper floors into 59 furnished apartment units. To translate the product vision for Vistas at Avant into a residential reality, Uniland sought to modernize the living environment for a comfortable, upscale lifestyle. In contrast to the louder, brighter colors of the legacy Embassy Suites décor, Vistas at Avant features a more biophilic design. From the earthier tones of the carpeting to the lighter wood shade of the flooring, there is an ethos of nature that complements the abundant natural light residents enjoy through the floor-to-ceiling windows, which offer stunning views of the Buffalo skyline and Lake Erie. Construction began in the Fall of 2024 and was completed in the Spring of 2025, with Uniland Construction Corporation leading the effort in close collaboration with the company’s Property Management team.
“We believe there is a strong need for fully furnished apartments in the city with flexible terms, and we are excited to bring this fresh concept to Avant,” emphasized Michael J. Montante, CEO of Uniland. “Ideal for corporate relocations, contract employees, and individuals seeking a luxurious and convenient downtown location for an extended stay, these apartments provide the lifestyle and amenities residents desire without a long-term commitment.”
Since residents began moving into Vistas at Avant in the Spring of 2025, they have been embracing upscale living in the heart of the Queen City. With eight different apartment floor plans, each unit is designed to offer an upscale, hassle-free living experience. The Brick by Brick Award recognition builds upon Vistas at Avant’s accolades from the CoStar Impact Awards and was emphasized when Uniland was named the 2025 Company of the Year for Development and during CEO Michael Montante’s C-Level Executive Award, both by Buffalo Business First.
Uniland’s Flex Warehouse & Storage Suites at Eastport Commerce Center in the Manufacturing & Logistics category: Building upon Uniland’s decades of industrial development experience and the company’s innovative approaches to flexible solutions for diverse workspace, the Flex Warehouse & Storage Suites at Eastport Commerce Center in Lancaster are meeting a new market need.
As economic development leaders, including Invest Buffalo Niagara, have noted, a shortage of available industrial space continues to challenge business growth in the region. Uniland’s Flex Warehouse & Storage Suites directly address this gap with scalable, move-in-ready space.
Tailored for the needs of small businesses, service professionals, and contractors, a total of 57 individual units are now available, starting at 1,500+ SF per suite (approximately 50′ x 30′). Each unit has its own overhead door, man door, garage bay, and 16-foot ceiling clearance at the eave. All suites are move-in ready, with short-term rental options available. Units start at $1,925/month.
Eastport Commerce Center boasts easy access and visibility. Strategically situated just north of Walden Avenue in Lancaster, NY, this prime location provides easy connectivity to major transportation arteries, ensuring seamless logistics for your business operations with close proximity to major highways and thoroughfares, including Route 20, Route 33, and the I-90 New York State Thruway. Earlier, the project was lauded as the Best New Industrial Property at the 2025 BOMA Buffalo Awards.
