Seneca One Tower
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Commercial real estate |
| Founded | 1969 |
| Headquarters | Buffalo , United States |
Key people | Douglas Jemal (owner) |
| Products | Office space, apartments, retail space |
| Parent | Douglas Development |
Seneca One Tower stands as a prominent skyscraper located in the heart of downtown Buffalo, New York. Initially named Marine Midland Center from 1972 until 1999 and later known as One HSBC Center between 1999 and 2013, the building's designation was updated following the rebranding of Marine Midland’s parent company HSBC to HSBC Bank USA. Constructed over the period from 1969 to 1974 with an investment of $50 million, this 40-story structure provides more than of premium Class "A" office space and continues to be a key element of Buffalo’s skyline. The tower's modernist design was created by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP and shares architectural similarities with Minneapolis’s 33 South Sixth, another project by the same firm.
In 2021, Douglas Development finalized an extensive $150 million refurbishment of the tower and its four mezzanine levels, introducing over 200 upscale apartments as part of a mixed-use initiative aimed at increasing the building’s attractiveness in the market.
Building facts
- Conceived by Skidmore Owings & Merrill (SOM), the tower was completed externally in 1972, with interior finishes finalized by 1974. The principal architect was Marc Goldstein, while John Merrill served as partner-in-charge. Interior design was managed by Davis Allen and Margo Grant Walsh.
- Functioned as Marine Midland’s global headquarters until 1998 and then as HSBC USA’s headquarters until 1999, after which HSBC relocated its U.S. corporate offices to New York City.
- Seneca One Tower holds the distinction of being the tallest privately held office building in New York State outside of New York City; the tallest publicly owned building is Albany’s Erastus Corning Tower.
- The plaza showcases Ronald Bladen’s 1973 sculpture entitled "Vroom, Shhh."
- Extends over southern Main Street, beneath which the Buffalo Metro Rail operates.
- Renovations were led by Buffalo-based Antunovich Associates, known for designing the M&T Bank Tech Hub that established occupancy in November 2020.
Broadcast towers atop the building
- WBXZ-LD (TV channel 56)
- W275BB (FM frequency 102.9), serving as a relay for WECK
- W227BW (FM frequency 93.3), relaying WZXV
Current tenants
Key occupants include:
- M&T Bank
- Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
- 43 North
- Serendipity Labs
- Other Half Brewing
- Twipes
- Hounds & Hops
- Douglas Development Buffalo
- Lighthouse Technology Services
Significant former tenants
- HSBC Bank USA
- Odoo
- Pegula Sports and Entertainment
- Consulate General of Canada in Buffalo
- Phillips Lytle
History
On December 5, 2012, HSBC Bank USA declared its intent to vacate its leased premises by October 2013. Following this announcement, along with Phillips Lytle LLP’s exit and the closure of the Canadian Consulate, occupancy levels dropped to approximately 10 percent by 2014. In August 2016, Douglas Development from Washington, D.C., revealed plans to acquire One Seneca Tower. By September 29, 2016, Douglas Jemal completed the purchase of both the tower and an adjacent parking facility with plans to transform the site into a mixed-use development incorporating retail outlets, dining establishments, hotel accommodations, office space, and residential units.
In June 2019, M&T Bank committed to leasing fifteen floors for its dedicated "technology hub." The building received a refreshed exterior featuring terra cotta elements and gunmetal-colored paint in 2020. Early in 2021, a permanent illuminated M&T Bank sign replaced a temporary Buffalo Bills pennant displayed atop the tower.
See also
- HSBC Buildings around the globe
- List of tallest buildings in Buffalo, New York
- List of tallest buildings in Upstate New York