Uniland Dev. unveils town center concept plan for Eastern Hills Mall

Amherst, NY Uniland Development Co. and Mountain Development Corp. (MDC) unveiled plans for the conversion of Eastern Hills Mall into a walkable, mixed-use Town Center.

The Eastern Hills Town Center revitalizes an aging, 100-acre shopping complex through the development of new office, medical, residential, shopping, dining, recreational and civic areas to create a truly unique environment. Located on the Clarence/Amherst border between Main St., Transit Rd. and Sheridan Dr., the project has the potential to become a new regional destination for both residents and tourists, as nothing on this scale currently exists in Western New York.

“Our goal is to create one of the most compelling places to live, work and visit in WNY,” said Carl Montante, Jr., vice president of marketing and strategic initiatives for Uniland. “Restaurants within the town center will have patios offering views of lush landscaping and sidewalks as opposed to parking lots. Residents will be able to walk to the grocery store, park, and ice cream shop, and experience movies, concerts, and other events. Office workers will be able to walk to restaurants, fitness centers, and have access to numerous services like healthcare, childcare, and salons. In our market research we wanted to take the best aspects of popular areas in the Buffalo region and combine them in one master-planned 100-acre project. This project is all about placemaking, creating vibrancy and building community.”

Town centers have grown in popularity across the U.S. as more people desire the appeal of a suburban location and the lifestyle benefits of an urban-like, walkable village that blends retail, entertainment, health and wellness with office space and residential living options. Most of site will be accessible within a 10-minute walk, supporting smartgrowth by reducing car dependency and enhancing quality of life.

Eastern Hills Mall operations will continue during development.

Phase one is still evolving based on demand. Upon full buildout, Uniland and MDC are planning over 1,000 apartments, one million s/f of office space, a brewery, several restaurants, and a park for outdoor events. The start of phase one also depends on the public sector completing certain off-site infrastructure improvements to accommodate the amount of new development envisioned. Full build-out of the project is expected to take ten or more years to complete. Uniland is currently looking to attract restaurants, breweries, and businesses seeking office space to be the first to enjoy the numerous benefits of locating at the Eastern Hills Town Center.