Celebrating an 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—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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