As the largest commercial real estate developer in Western New York, Uniland has been leading innovative projects in the region since 1974. Our work is shaped by Uniland’s mission to improve the lives of our customers, associates, and the communities in which we serve, through the commercial real estate services we provide.
Expanding the impact Avant, a premier mixed-use building in the heart of downtown Buffalo, Uniland’s fully furnished Vistas at Avant apartments project was named the 2026 CoStar Impact Award winner of the Multifamily Development category in the Buffalo market. The CoStar Impact Awards recognize exemplary commercial real estate transactions and projects completed in 2025 that have significantly influenced neighborhoods or submarkets across major international regions in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The winners were selected by a panel of more than 600 esteemed industry professionals across 129 markets for the annual commercial real estate awards. CoStar Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSGP) is a global leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, online marketplaces, and 3D digital twin technology.
Advancing Downtown Buffalo’s Residential Options
Located within the prestigious Avant—home to the recently transformed Embassy Suites Buffalo hotel, luxury condominiums, Class A office space, and the acclaimed Bella Ciao restaurant—Uniland’s fully furnished Vistas at Avant apartments provide the perfect blend of modern style and everyday convenience in downtown Buffalo. Building upon Avant’s innovative heritage, this renovation offers a new short-term, fully furnished lifestyle option to those seeking upscale living in the heart of the Queen City.
The iconic Avant building, which is a prominent member of modern Buffalo’s skyline, is unrecognizable from its first chapter. Constructed in 1971 in the Brutalist architectural style that was popular during that era, the Thaddeus J. Dulski Federal Office Building was once the epicenter of the federal government’s presence in Western New York. Amidst evolving federal workspace requirements, the facility was decommissioned in 2006 and was purchased by Uniland in 2007. During the ensuing two years, Uniland transformed the asbestos-laden building into the City of Buffalo’s first mixed-use development in the Central Business District. One of Uniland Founder & Executive Chairman Carl J. Montante’s most beloved projects, Avant opened in 2009.
During the COVID pandemic, as the hospitality sector was reeling and the Embassy Suites Buffalo was beginning plans for its first renovation, Uniland CEO Michael J. Montante tasked the company’s in-house Development department with evaluating alternative uses for some of the legacy hotel space. The group identified the opportunity to offer fully furnished premium short-term apartments in downtown Buffalo to a range of potential residents.
Embracing the opportunity to extend Avant’s heritage of innovation, Uniland advanced the plans to transform two upper floors of the hotel 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 and the lighter wooden shade of the flooring, there is an ethos of nature that complements the abundant natural light residents enjoy from 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, led by Uniland Construction Corporation 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,” highlighted 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.”
Strengthening Buffalo’s Central Business District
The panel of CoStar Impact Award judges in Buffalo highlighted the project’s role in strengthening the city’s downtown through adaptive reuse and talent attraction. “The adaptive reuse of historic, centrally located structures is crucial to the real estate market and economy. It also furthers talent attraction efforts needed to continue the growth of the local region,” said Brandye Merriweather, President of Downtown Development at the Buffalo Urban Development Corp.
The judges also noted the project’s location and its role in addressing a clear market need. “Located in the heart of the downtown Buffalo Central Business District, there is a need for this type of product,” said Eric C. Tudor, Broker and Owner of Tudor Collins Commercial Real Estate.
“Now in its fifth year, the CoStar Impact Awards are an incredible opportunity to recognize the real estate projects fundamentally transforming the industry landscape,” said Andy Florance, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of CoStar Group. “Our diverse panel of judges worked diligently to identify the most impactful commercial real estate projects across a range of categories that are shaping the future of the industry and the communities in which they serve. It’s an honor to recognize the companies and projects propelling the real estate sector forward.”
Vistas at Avant’s accolade marks the third consecutive year of Uniland winning a CoStar Impact Award. In 2025, BestSelf Behavioral Health‘s Headquarters & Scott Bieler Child Advocacy Center at 899 Main Street on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus was named Redevelopment of the Year. Earlier, Retech Systems LLC‘s industrial expansion at 175 Milens Road in Tonawanda, NY, was named 2024 Lease of the Year.
