A Bold Transformation on the Waterfront
Colliers Engineering & Design’s Buildings Division recently took home a 2025 AIA Rochester Design Award for our work on Terminal B at Buffalo’s Outer Harbor. The project transformed a long-abandoned industrial warehouse into a vibrant public space along Lake Erie, combining architecture, community input and adaptive reuse to create something both bold and deeply local.
Originally awarded to Bergmann, now part of Colliers Engineering & Design, the project began as a vision to reimagine Buffalo’s waterfront through collaboration and trust. Andrew J. Raus, AICP, Buildings Division Director and Principal-In-Charge, emphasized the importance of the strong community relationships that helped shape this effort. “This project is built on the backs of relationships – partnerships that made it possible to create something lasting for the city of Buffalo,” said Raus.
Terminal B was once a 100,000-square-foot cold storage facility, structurally sound but disconnected from the community around it. The team kept the warehouse’s steel frame intact, choosing to reuse as much of the existing structure as possible while reimagining the site as a destination. It now houses an open-air amphitheater and flexible recreational spaces that invite visitors to explore, linger or gather.
“The first time we really got to walk the site, it was clear it had this raw, untapped potential,” said Raus. “The challenge became how to honor the industrial heritage while turning it into something completely new.”
Reclaiming More Than Land
The team approached the project with three guiding themes: reclamation, reconciliation and reconnection. By turning a contaminated industrial site into a community asset, the design reclaimed more than just land. It offered an opportunity to repair the relationship between the city and its waterfront, reconnecting residents with views, open space and Lake Erie itself.
Community engagement played a major role throughout the process. Kimberly Baptiste, AICP, Planning Discipline Leader, emphasized the importance of listening early and often. “We heard loud and clear that the community wanted more than just a venue – they wanted a place to gather, to move, to connect. That feedback reshaped the entire vision,” said Baptiste. In the end, Terminal B became a place where people can take a yoga class in the morning, attend a concert at night or just walk along the shoreline.
Design That Reflects Buffalo’s Spirit
The amphitheater canopy, nicknamed the “Bird in Flight,” is one of the most visible design elements. Its sculptural form, made of lightweight corrugated and perforated metal, is both striking and functional. It shelters performers and gives the entire space a sense of energy and motion. At night, it glows from within, becoming a visual landmark for the park.
“We weren’t trying to erase the past,” said Raus. “We wanted the space to feel rooted in what it used to be, while still inviting people to experience it in an entirely new way.”
Wellness, Access and Sustainability
The team also focused on creating a place that promotes wellness and accessibility. The revitalized concrete slab hosts basketball courts, running tracks and space for casual recreation. The shoreline paths and open lawn areas invite movement, while the green space itself provides a natural retreat within city limits.
By reusing structural elements and minimizing new materials, the project stayed cost-effective and sustainable. Rather than demolishing and starting from scratch, the design found creative ways to work with what was already there. This reduced waste and helped preserve the character of the original warehouse.
“It wasn’t about flashy design. It was about smart, thoughtful decisions that respected the site,” said Raus. “There’s something really meaningful about transforming a forgotten space into something full of life.”
A Spark for Buffalo’s Future
The project is also sparking momentum for continued revitalization along the Outer Harbor. As part of a larger master plan, Terminal B has helped shift public perception and demonstrate what’s possible when design, community and ecology work together.
For the Buildings Division, the AIA Rochester Design Award is a proud moment. But for Raus and the original Bergmann team that helped bring it to life, the real reward is seeing how it’s being used.
Philip DiNicola, RA, NCARB, Regional Architecture Discipline Leader, who joined the project during the final stages of construction, reflected on the broader impact of the design. “There’s something special about taking a forgotten place and giving it new purpose. It’s no longer a blank spot on the map. It’s part of the city again,” said DiNicola.