How the BNP’s new headquarters fits into the vision for the Cobblestone District

Buffalo Bills and Sabres Chief Operating Officer Pete Guelli had a conversation with owner Terry Pegula when the Buffalo Niagara Partnership first expressed interest in the newly available office space at 79 Perry St.

It didn’t take long for them to come to the conclusion that the BNP was the type of partner they needed right next door to KeyBank Center – one that convenes the business community in ways that will help spark the next phase of development in the neighborhood around the arena.

“Part of the puzzle piece for the Cobblestone District is the Buffalo Niagara Partnership,” Guelli said at the BNP’s Annual Report to Members event on Nov. 14 at Statler Buffalo. “Talking with Terry, we agreed that this is the exact tenant we need in this building. You have the same vision. You saw the property and saw how great of a place it can be.”

Here are the key takeaways from Guelli’s fireside chat with BNP President & CEO Dottie Gallagher.

Coming spring 2025: BNP @ the cobblestone

The Buffalo Niagara Partnership’s new headquarters will be the regional business community’s new hub for convening and connecting.

“By our count – about 4,500 people attend BNP events,” Gallagher said. “That audience of local business professionals and executives is second to none.”

More than 1,000 BNP members will have access to premium co-working spaces, from a cozy cafe to semi-private desks. State-of-the-art conference rooms will attract teams looking to convene in off-site facilities that emphasize productivity and comfort. And thoughtfully designed event spaces will regularly host programming that attracts leaders from a wide range of backgrounds.

“We needed you guys here,” Guelli told Gallagher. “This is phase one of what we’re doing. I think it further illustrates the potential around that building.”

WGRZ-TV was among the media on hand at the Annual Report to Members and went more in-depth on BNP @ the cobblestone here:

Bringing the arena to life

Included in this initial phase of the Sabres’ vision for the Cobblestone District is creating further activity to downtown beyond the hockey team.

While Guelli was working for Michael Jordan and the Charlotte Hornets during the recession in the late 2000s, he said the arena became a catalyst for economic development in the city.

KeyBank Center recently got a new roof and video board, as well as some other small changes around the building. The next goal is to program the arena 150-plus nights a year to attract a cross-section of demographics – from sports and wrestling fans to music and comedy lovers.

"Anybody that lives in the Buffalo area, there will be a reason to come to the arena if we bring the right events in,” Guelli said. “It all comes down to creating a place where people want to be.”

Stadium construction on track

As Guelli tours the new stadium every couple of weeks, he’s reminded of how it’s thoughtfully designed in a way that will make the game day experience even better when it opens in time for the 2026 season.

But even with new world-class amenities, improved concourses, stacked seating and a partial roof that will cover 60% of seats, he said it’s not going to lose any of the things that make Buffalo great.

“We’ve looked at it from every angle, there’s not a bad seat,” Guelli said. “It’s the biggest construction project in the history of Buffalo. This is a facility we can all be proud of. When it’s done, it will stand up against any city in the country.”

Similarly to the arena, the Bills will be looking into bringing additional events to the stadium campus beyond football. Two possibilities include the NFL Draft and Winter Classic.

“We’re looking at both properties through that lense,” Guelli said. “The goal is to make them both as active as possible.”

Buffalo on the national stage

Guelli returned to Buffalo in March, almost 15 years to the day since he left. Part of the magnetic pull that he felt had to do with the sports teams, which also play a big role in how the area is perceived across the country and even internationally.

“The Bills and Sabres allow Buffalo to punch above its weight class,” said Guelli, who also noted the excitement in finding ways to grow and leverage them for the market to be successful. “We should be playing offense in Buffalo. This is a place you want to be a part of.”

The next step as a region is to tie that positive momentum into aspirational projects and the long-term vision for the Cobblestone District and elsewhere around Buffalo Niagara.

“Twenty years ago to where we are today, people genuinely believe the region is in a better place,” Gallagher said. “The scared mentality is changing to say, no, we’ve got great resources here. We’re a climate refuge. We have the infrastructure and people. Let’s make the most of this.”