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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