We are a team of architects, engineers, and community builders. We work hand in hand with each of our clients to realize enduring designs and plan trustworthy foundations—to create space for what matters.
Featured Case Studies
Braymiller Market & 201 Ellicott Street Mixed-use Development
The City of Buffalo cultivated a 2.5 +/- acre site into a mixed-use development, previously used as parking space in the heart of Buffalo’s Central Business District. The project fills a void for lack of affordable housing and grocery markets in the immediate area. This made the project one of the most high-profile projects in downtown Buffalo for decades.
Watts, as part of an elite design team, provided professional civil engineering services, which included SEQR application, City of Buffalo site plan approval, coordination with brownfield site remediation, paving, grading, permitting for work in highway right of way, storm water management, site utilities, landscape design planning, construction staging, SWPPP design, and SWPPP inspections. Stormwater management entailed an underground detention infiltration system and Green Infrastructure. Green Infrastructure services encompassed rain gardens with planting for pollinators to meet stringent Buffalo Sewer Authority and Green Code requirements.
Northland Corridor Redevelopment
In July 2015, plans were unveiled by New York State to acquire and redevelop over 50 acres of underutilized land in addition to over 70,000 SF of vacant manufacturing buildings on Buffalo's East Side into the Northland Workforce Training Center (NWTC). This Workforce Training Center is a hub for training students in emerging careers in the fields of advanced manufacturing and energy. In 2016, the Buffalo Urban Development Corporation, a not-for-profit development agency associated with the City of Buffalo, began work to bring this vision to fruition. Watts was engaged as the Northland Campus Architect and began work on the NWTC immediately for Phases 1 and 2 of this transformative project.
Niagara Street, Phases 3, 4 & 5
The City of Buffalo Department of Public Works, Parks and Streets designated Watts as the prime consultant for the Niagara Street Rehabilitation Project, Phases 3, 4 and 5. All three phases will be concurrent during construction making the 3.3-mile corridor the longest length project to be completed by DPW. The project is funded with Federal Aid and is being processed through the NYSDOT. The Niagara Street project was awarded the 2023 ACEC New York Platinum Award, Category H: Transportation, as well as the APWA WNY Chapter 2022 Transportation Project of the Year and APWA NY Chapter State Award 2022 Transportation Project of the Year $5-$25 Category.
I-81 Viaduct Reconstruction
In July 2023, the official groundbreaking for the transformational Interstate 81 Viaduct Project in Syracuse, took place. The groundbreaking formally launched one of the largest and most ambitious construction projects ever undertaken by New York State, in partnership with the federal government. Overseen by the State Department of Transportation, the $2.25 billion project will create a Community Grid to reconnect downtown neighborhoods severed by the I-81 viaduct’s construction in the 1950’s, enhance mobility and improve access to and from the interstate highway network and key destinations, including the downtown business districts, area hospitals and Syracuse University. It will also provide safe and ADA accessible pedestrian and bicycle amenities throughout the project area. The historic project, which is the result of more than a decade of planning and community engagement, will also upgrade a portion of Interstate 481, which would be redesignated at I-81, and create a new Business Loop 81. Business Loop 81 will pass through the city distributing traffic along the way, and make other improvements that will improve mobility, enhance safety, create new recreational opportunities, and promote economic growth throughout all of Central New York.
Watts’ involvement with the project spans back ten years already and includes air quality studies, asbestos consulting services, hazardous waste/contaminated materials survey, noise analysis, existing street lighting analysis design, and demolition design (bridge and building).
Buffalo Bills Stadium
As a Buffalo-based firm, being involved with projects at the stadium of the city's National Football League team, Buffalo Bills, is exciting. To say the least. Watts is proud to be part of the new stadium project, slated for completion in 2026 with Populous and Legends Development. Our involvement includes architectural support, demolition design, civil and structural engineering services.
In 2012, Watts was part of the consultant team for a $130 million, multi-phased, multi-year renovation project at the current stadium. Improvements throughout the stadium included: creation of a new west end plaza; new wider entry gates; renovated and expanded concessions, restrooms; a new Commissary building; new Team Store, and renovations and expansion of the Team Training Facility.
Live by design.
As a team with a diverse skillset, we have plenty of differences and one thing in common—a drive to design places and spaces that work hard and smart for the people who inhabit them: teachers and students; nurses and patients; bicyclists and motorists; and so many more.
Explore Our Focus
Committed by design.
With a 35+ year history in New York State, our team is proud to have deep roots and ongoing involvement in the revitalization of the places we call home, from the Lake Erie shores in Buffalo to the East River.
Meet Our Leading Team
Grow by design.
At Watts, our team is balanced, communicative, creatively inclusive, and always excited to connect with people who share our passion for architecture, engineering, and design. Through our team’s diverse experience emerges a unified focus that inspires shared growth—individually as professionals, collectively as a firm, and for our communities.
If you’re interested in joining our team and making a difference where you live, work, and play, we hope you’ll reach out — whether there’s a current opportunity that’s a good fit or to lay the groundwork for future possibilities.
Check out our current career opportunities.
Grow by Design
75+
architects, engineers, and technical staff
MBE & DBE
New York State Certified Minority Owned Business & Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
4
4 key locations of Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Brooklyn