Project Location: Buffalo, NY
In 1920, the newly formed Trico Company developed a striking six-story complex to manufacture its groundbreaking invention—the automobile windshield wiper blade. This innovation reshaped the automotive industry and positioned Buffalo as a leader in manufacturing for decades. Operating until 1998, the 600,000-sf factory then stood vacant for over 20 years.
Nearly a century after its original construction, A|r, in partnership with the Krog Group, reimagined the former industrial complex as a vibrant mixed-use destination on the edge of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. The project addressed the building’s brownfield status, material disrepair and the ad-hoc nature of the original five-building complex, while maintaining features that rightly placed it on the National Historic Register.
The design strategy centered on surgically removing the interior structure, deteriorated and visually dissimilar, to create a new inner courtyard—now the heart of the redevelopment. This intervention revealed the unique character of the remaining structures, brought daylight deep into the floor plates, and established an intuitive and welcoming arrival sequence. The courtyard also provides both pedestrian and vehicular access, transforming what was once an opaque industrial block into an open and connected urban asset.
Once home to Buffalo’s largest employer, the rebirth of Trico marks a defining milestone in the city’s ongoing downtown renaissance.
In 1920, the newly formed Trico Company developed a striking six-story complex to manufacture its groundbreaking invention—the automobile windshield wiper blade. This innovation reshaped the automotive industry and positioned Buffalo as a leader in manufacturing for decades. Operating until 1998, the 600,000-sf factory then stood vacant for over 20 years.
Nearly a century after its original construction, A|r, in partnership with the Krog Group, reimagined the former industrial complex as a vibrant mixed-use destination on the edge of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. The project addressed the building’s brownfield status, material disrepair and the ad-hoc nature of the original five-building complex, while maintaining features that rightly placed it on the National Historic Register.
The design strategy centered on surgically removing the interior structure, deteriorated and visually dissimilar, to create a new inner courtyard—now the heart of the redevelopment. This intervention revealed the unique character of the remaining structures, brought daylight deep into the floor plates, and established an intuitive and welcoming arrival sequence. The courtyard also provides both pedestrian and vehicular access, transforming what was once an opaque industrial block into an open and connected urban asset.
Inside, historical details are thoughtfully restored and fused with contemporary features and materials, allowing the building’s industrial heritage to coexist seamlessly with its new uses. The revitalized 600,000-sf complex now accommodates 242 loft-style apartments, commercial and retail space, and indoor parking, supporting the growing demand for housing and commerce in downtown Buffalo.
Once home to Buffalo’s largest employer, the rebirth of Trico marks a defining milestone in the city’s ongoing downtown renaissance.
Buffalo Office
505 Franklin Street Buffalo, NY 14202
NewYork Office
303 West 13th Street New York, NY 10014
buffalo@archres.com
+ 1 716 883 5566
nyc@archres.com
+1 212 674 1457
