LaBella Celebrates the Ribbon Cutting at Ellicott Town Center

On Wednesday, June 11, 2025, LaBella Associates joined community leaders, partners, and residents to celebrate the official ribbon cutting at Ellicott Town Center in Buffalo, NY. The event marked the completion of a $71 million rehabilitation that modernized homes, improved energy efficiency, and preserved long-term affordability for hundreds of local families and seniors.

LaBella led the architectural design for the project, working closely with developers Beacon Communities and First Shiloh Development LLC—an arm of First Shiloh Baptist Church—to reimagine this decades-old development—formerly known as the Ellicott Mall—into a vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive residential community.

Ellicott Town Center includes 281 units across four high-rise towers and 12 townhomes located just outside downtown Buffalo. The redevelopment included substantial interior and exterior improvements such as new kitchens and bathrooms in all apartments, roof and window replacements, upgraded siding, sidewalks, and enhanced exterior lighting. In addition, the community center was renovated, and new outdoor amenities, including a playground and park, were constructed to enhance the neighborhood’s recreational offerings. These improvements are expected to result in at least a 20% increase in energy efficiency.

The townhomes, originally built in 1998, continue to provide affordable two-bedroom homes for residents aged 55 and older, with rents reserved for households earning up to 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI). The towers, originally constructed in 1958, now include a mix of one-, two-, and four-bedroom apartments.

The project is a joint development by Beacon Communities and First Shiloh Development LLC, an affiliate of the adjacent First Shiloh Baptist Church. Located within walking distance of key amenities and accessible by public transit, the revitalized Ellicott Town Center stands as a model for equitable, sustainable urban housing.