Building Foundations for the Future: Elev8 Architecture Expands Bornhava’s Facility

Exterior Streetview Rendering of Bornhava’s New Addition / Renovation Project

At Elev8 Architecture, we believe that design has the power to transform lives, especially the lives of our community’s youngest and most resilient members. That belief is at the heart of our latest collaboration with Bornhava, where we are helping expand and reimagine their facility to better support children with developmental conditions and their families across Western New York.

Since 1983, Bornhava has been a cornerstone of the community, nurturing differently abled children through a unique, play based approach that empowers them to grow, learn, and thrive. As their mission has expanded, so has the need for a space that reflects both their impact and their ambition. Working alongside LeChase Construction, Elev8 Architecture has designed an addition and renovation that does more than increase square footage, it creates new opportunities for care, connection, and growth.

A Cohesive Identity for a Growing Mission

At the center of the project is a 10,000 square foot, two story addition that integrates seamlessly with Bornhava’s existing facility. The goal was to establish a clear and cohesive identity for the school while enhancing functionality and long term flexibility.

The design moves away from a traditional institutional feel, instead embracing a warm and approachable architectural language. Gabled rooflines and articulated massing create a residential scale that feels welcoming and familiar within the surrounding neighborhood. This approach reinforces Bornhava’s mission by creating a space where children and families feel comfortable from the moment they arrive.

Expanding Capacity, Enhancing Care

The addition and renovation significantly expand Bornhava’s ability to serve more children while strengthening the quality and range of services they provide.

New and enhanced spaces include:

• Two additional classrooms, bringing the total to seven

• A motor skills gym that supports movement based development

• Active and calming sensory rooms tailored to individual needs

• Four private speech therapy rooms

• Expanded occupational and physical therapy suites

• Additional administrative offices and a new conference room

Each space has been carefully designed to support Bornhava’s multidisciplinary approach, allowing therapy, education, and play to work together in a cohesive and supportive environment.

Accessibility and Flow at the Forefront

Improving accessibility and circulation was a key priority in the design. A new elevator provides full access to all levels of the building, ensuring that every child, family member, and staff member can navigate the space with ease.

The project also introduces a new primary entrance within the addition, creating a clear and welcoming point of arrival. A secondary rear entrance improves access to the outdoor play area and parking lot, helping to make daily routines more efficient and safe for families and staff.

A protective canopy at the main entry enhances safety during drop off while clearly defining the entrance, reinforcing a sense of arrival and care.

Exterior Rear Play Yard Rendering of Bornhava’s New Addition / Renovation

Spaces Designed to Thrive

Every aspect of the design supports Bornhava’s multi sensory, play based curriculum. From specialized sensory environments to expanded therapy areas, the building is tailored to meet a wide range of developmental needs.

Natural light plays a central role throughout the space. Thoughtful window placement maximizes daylight, creating bright and uplifting interiors while strengthening connections to the outdoor play yard. Interior layouts are organized into distinct zones for public interaction, therapy, and education, balancing openness with the need for focused and supportive environments.

A Community Effort

This project represents more than a building expansion, it is a reflection of Bornhava’s ongoing commitment to the community. As part of their capital campaign, “Building Their Lives. Building Our Future,” the new addition will allow them to reach more children and continue providing essential services at no cost to families.

Collaboration has been key to bringing this vision to life. By working closely with Bornhava and the team at LeChase Construction, Elev8 Architecture has helped translate a mission into a built environment that will serve generations to come.

Looking Ahead

For Elev8 Architecture, this project represents more than an addition, it is an investment in people, potential, and community. By designing spaces that are both highly functional and deeply welcoming, we are helping Bornhava continue its mission of empowering children to thrive.

As construction progresses, we look forward to sharing updates and celebrating the impact this transformative project will have on Bornhava and the families they serve.

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Bornhava

Resolute Wealth Planning Office Renovation Complete: A Historic Space Reimagined

Resolute Wealth Office Reception Area

Elev8 Architecture is proud to celebrate the completion of the Resolute Wealth Planning office renovation, marking the successful transformation of a long-standing local landmark into a vibrant, modern professional space.

Originally constructed in the early 1800s, the building at 4936 Ellicott Road has lived many lives, most recently as Eckl’s Restaurant. With a history that includes relocation, multiple additions, and decades of community presence, the structure presented both a unique opportunity and a meaningful responsibility. The design approach centered on honoring that legacy while introducing a fresh identity aligned with its new tenants.

Resolute Wealth Office Exterior Before & After

The completed project delivers a thoughtful balance between historic character and contemporary design. The exterior has been revitalized to create a clean, welcoming presence, while the interior has been fully reimagined to support modern office functionality. The two story, 3,561 square foot building now houses Resolute Wealth Planning on the ground floor, with additional tenant spaces above.

In addition to private offices, the building features thoughtfully designed shared amenities that support collaboration and flexibility among tenants. A central co working space provides an open, comfortable environment for informal meetings, focused work, or day to day interaction, fostering a sense of community within the building. The shared kitchen offers a welcoming place for tenants to gather, recharge, and connect throughout the day. Complementing these spaces is a fully equipped conference room that can be reserved as needed, providing professional settings for client meetings, presentations, and team discussions. Together, these shared elements enhance the functionality of the building while creating a more dynamic and connected workplace experience.

Resolute Wealth Office Co-working Area

Resolute Wealth Planning’s new office reflects its commitment to a holistic approach to financial planning, offering clients a warm, professional environment designed to support meaningful conversations and long term relationships. Complementing this vision, HumanKind Wellness has also opened within the building, expanding the site’s role in supporting both financial and personal well being in the community.

In addition to HumanKind Wellness, Elev8 Architecture is also excited to now call this building home. Our Buffalo office, located on the second floor, is fully operational and reflects our design philosophy in a built form. The space serves not only as a workplace for our team, but also as a living example of how thoughtful design can transform existing structures into inspiring, functional environments.

Elev8 Architecture Office Suite

This project represents more than a renovation. It is a continuation of the building’s story and a reinvestment in the surrounding neighborhood. By bringing new life to a historic structure, the project contributes to the ongoing evolution of the community while preserving a meaningful piece of its past.

Owner: Resolute Wealth Planning
Tenants: Resolute Wealth Planning, HumanKind Wellness, Elev8 Architecture
Contractor: JEG Contracting

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Resolute Wealth Office

The Rails Wins at the Buffalo Business First 2025 Brick by Brick Awards

The Rails Exterior - Kim Smith Photo

Multi-Residential Category Winner – A Milestone for Urban Housing in Buffalo

We’re thrilled to share that The Rails has been named the winner of the Multi-Residential category in Buffalo Business First’s 2025 Brick by Brick Awards! This recognition is a tremendous honor for our team at Elev8 Architecture and a proud moment for everyone who helped bring this transformative project to life.

Located in Buffalo’s University District, The Rails reimagines urban living through a thoughtful blend of architecture, community focus, and historic sensitivity. What once was a vacant railyard has been transformed into a vibrant, design-forward residential community that provides modern living options while honoring the area’s industrial legacy.

The Rails Lobby - Kim Smith Photo

We’re especially grateful to McGuire Development Group and Blackfish Investments for giving us the opportunity to design this project. Their vision, leadership, and commitment to quality were instrumental in every step of the process, and we’re proud to have played a role in helping bring that vision to life.

This project was also made possible through the collaboration of Buffalo Construction Consultants, whose expertise and dedication helped translate our designs into reality with care and precision.

The Rails Apartment Unit - Kim Smith Photo

Our design approach focused on:

• Respecting the context: Embracing the site's industrial past while introducing clean, modern forms and warm materials.

• Prioritizing livability: Every unit and common space was designed with light, comfort, and durability in mind.

• Creating community: With shared courtyards, flexible amenity spaces, and pedestrian-friendly site planning, The Rails fosters connection and belonging.

Winning the Brick by Brick Award in this category reaffirms our belief that great architecture doesn’t just shape buildings, it shapes neighborhoods and experiences. We’re incredibly proud of what The Rails represents for Buffalo’s future: thoughtful density, walkable design, and development that serves both people and place.

The Rails Construction & Design Team: left to right - Pete Spada (Buffalo Construction Consultants), Erik Dusel (Buffalo Construction Consultants), Stephanie Goris (Elev8 Architecture)

A sincere thank you to Buffalo Business First for this recognition, and to our clients, collaborators, and community partners for trusting us with this meaningful work.

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Rails on Main

Designing for the Future of Graduate Student Living at D’Youville University

443 West Ave Rendering - Street View from West Ave

We’re excited to share our latest collaboration with Uniland Development and D’Youville University: a new graduate student housing project set to transform 443 West Avenue in Buffalo’s West Side.

Together, we designed a five-story, 188-unit wood-frame building that offers more than just student housing. Our vision includes on-site amenity spaces and a future tenant space that will support both residents and the broader community. With a design focused on walkability, the project provides pedestrian access from both West and Plymouth Avenues, and vehicle access via Plymouth.

443 West Ave Rendering - Aerial View

This development is about more than buildings, it’s about supporting D’Youville’s mission to recruit and retain top graduate students while relieving pressure on surrounding neighborhoods. By consolidating student demand into a dedicated, thoughtfully scaled facility, the project strengthens the university’s long-term presence in the city.

443 West Ave Rendering - Rear View

We’re proud to help D’Youville invest in student life through design that honors its urban context, meets institutional goals, and contributes to Buffalo’s evolving landscape.

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443 West Ave

Celebrating a Buffalo IIDA Interior Design Award Win for Rails on Main

Resident amenity space at Rails - photo credit: Kim Smith Photo

We’re proud to share that Rails on Main, our multifamily residential project in Buffalo, NY, has been recognized with an IIDA Interior Design Award in the multifamily housing category—a major honor that highlights the creativity, strategy, and collaboration that brought this vibrant community to life.

This award is the result of a strong, visionary partnership. Our design journey was led by the talented team at Elev8 Interiors, who played a pivotal role in shaping the interior architecture and design concept from the ground up. We were also fortunate to collaborate with Get Fresh Industries, who brought their distinct touch to the furniture, final detailing, and staging, helping polish the project into the refined, welcoming space it is today.

Co-working space at Rails - photo credit: Kim Smith Photo

Designing a New Urban Landmark

Our vision for Rails on Main was to create more than just a place to live—it needed to embody the energy of Buffalo’s evolving Main Street corridor. We aimed to fuse industrial heritage with modern sensibility, crafting spaces that felt rooted in history but built for today’s lifestyles.

Elev8 Interiors led the charge with a comprehensive design strategy that balanced form, function, and durability. Their work established the project’s bold, layered aesthetic, infusing warmth through natural materials, contemporary finishes, and smart spatial planning. Elev8’s ability to interpret the project’s urban context and translate it into inviting, stylish interiors was instrumental in achieving our goals.

Model Unit Styling - photo credit: Kim Smith Photo

Final Touches That Brought It All Together

As the project neared completion, Get Fresh Industries joined the team to elevate the interior spaces through thoughtful furniture selections, artwork curation, and staging. Their creative eye and attention to detail helped bring the design narrative full circle, transforming the interiors from well-executed spaces into vibrant, lived-in environments.

• Common Areas: Designed as communal extensions of the apartments, the lounge, fitness center, and co-working zones foster connection and convenience. Get Fresh brought in a mix of contemporary furniture, statement lighting, and curated local artwork to give each space a strong personality.

• Unit Interiors: The apartments are finished with modern, neutral palettes punctuated by bold accents, bringing warmth, depth, and a sense of home. Durable, stylish materials were chosen with long-term comfort in mind. The unit design strikes a balance between clean modernity and cozy comfort, thanks to strategic furnishings and styling that reflects the spirit of the neighborhood.

• Historic Context: Throughout, subtle nods to the site’s past and the broader legacy of Buffalo’s industrial roots are layered into the finishes, design elements, and artwork, helping Rails on Main feel grounded and authentic.

Lobby of the Rails - photo credit: Kim Smith Photo

A Shared Celebration

This recognition from IIDA is a testament to what thoughtful collaboration can achieve. We’re deeply grateful to Elev8 Interiors for their leadership and design expertise throughout the project, and to Get Fresh Industries for infusing the final layer of personality and polish into the space.

To the IIDA jury, thank you for acknowledging the design strength of this project. And to the Buffalo community, thank you for embracing Rails on Main as part of your city’s future.

Stephanie Goris from Elev8 Interiors and Cara Donahue from Get Fresh Industries

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Rails on Main

We’re Finalists! Zeton and Rails Named in the 2025 Brick by Brick Awards

We’re thrilled to share some exciting news: two of our recent projects—Zeton U.S. Properties Inc. and Rails on Main—have been named finalists in this year’s Brick by Brick Awards, hosted by Buffalo Business First!

These awards celebrate the best in Buffalo’s architecture, construction, and real estate—so being recognized for not just one, but two projects is a huge honor for our team.

Zeton U.S. Properties, Inc.

Finalist: Industrial Category

Exterior of Zeton U.S. Properties, Inc

Zeton’s new space is all about clean, smart design for cutting-edge manufacturing. From the outside, it’s bold and modern—but the real magic happens inside. The layout is designed to support high-tech production with a focus on efficiency, safety, and comfort for the people working there every day. It’s proof that industrial buildings can be both functional and beautiful—and we’re proud to have helped make it happen.

Rails on Main

Finalist: Multi-Residential Category

Exterior view of Rails on Main

The Rails stands as a new transit-oriented development and is a powerful testament to Buffalo’s ability to honor its industrial heritage while embracing the future of urban living. What was once a dormant, contaminated brownfield site has been thoughtfully reimagined into a dynamic residential community that prioritizes design, functionality, resident experience, and connection to the surrounding community through its proximity to various modes of transportation. Through innovative construction methods, strategic planning, and a strong focus on amenities, The Rails has not only reshaped the physical landscape of North Buffalo but also contributed to the neighborhood’s cultural and economic revitalization. As it welcomes new residents and breathes life back into Main Street, The Rails serves as a model for sustainable, community-focused redevelopment—proof that with vision and collaboration, even the most neglected spaces can be transformed into places people are proud to call home.

Why This Matters

Every project we take on is a chance to shape the city in a meaningful way. Seeing Zeton and Rails recognized alongside some of the best work happening in Buffalo is incredibly rewarding—for us, our partners, and especially our clients who trusted us with their vision.

We’re looking forward to the awards ceremony this July and celebrating with the amazing local design and development community.

Thanks to everyone who helped bring these projects to life—and fingers crossed for the big win!

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Zeton Manufacturing | Rails on Main

Resolute Wealth Planning Office Renovation at Former Eckl’s Restaurant

Exterior Rendering of Resolute Wealth Office Renovation

Construction is underway at the new Resolute Wealth Planning office!  Elev8 is working with Resolute Wealth Planning on the design and conversion of this 1816's structure, the former Eckl’s restaurant. The building was originally constructed in a different location in Orchard Park and began its life as a tavern.  In 1963, it was relocated after being condemned by the state to facilitate the widening of South Buffalo and Chestnut Ridge Road due to its proximity to the road.  Eckl’s recently left this location to start a new venture in the Larkin District. Over the years, this historic structure has undergone many renovations and additions.

Existing Structure, Former Eckl’s Restaurant at 4936 Ellicott Rd

The structure now plans to undergo a complete transformation that includes a modern revamp of its exterior and new office spaces on its interior. This two-story, 3,561 square foot structure will now house Resolute Wealth Planning’s office on the ground floor, as well as two additional office spaces on the second floor. Elev8 Architecture is thrilled to be one of those new tenants, relocating our Buffalo office to the second floor of this building.

Interior Rendering of New Resolute Wealth Office

Resolute Wealth specializes in wealth management and financial planning, adhering to its core value of fostering a comprehensive life of health and wealth. Elev8 embodies similar principles, establishing a strong partnership with Resolute.  Additionally, HumanKind Wellness is set to relocate to the building, where it will offer IV therapy services to patients.

We hope to infuse a new energy in the neighborhood with this exciting project!

Owner: Resolute Wealth Planning

Tenants: HumanKind Wellness, Elev8 Architecture

Contractor: JEGContracting

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Resolute Wealth Office