BUFFALO, N.Y.—M&T Bank has begun work on a 9100-square-foot branch at Southgate Plaza in West Seneca, with a fresh contemporary design serving as a model for future branch construction and renovation.
The project was designed by Lorenzo Apicella of the international architectural design firm Pentagram, working with the Buffalo-area firms Hamilton Houston Lownie Architects and Kideney Architects.
Apicella is an architect and principal of Pentagram Design, working from their London and San Francisco offices. He is a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
The office will be constructed to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards (LEED) established by the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED is a rating system distinguishing high-performance buildings with less impact on the environment.
The design promotes natural light to minimize the need for interior electrical lighting. The plumbing system is designed to conserve water and will reduce use by 30% compared with federal water efficiency standards.
Work began with demolition of an old, vacant branch that M&T acquired from Citibank in 2006. The new branch is expected to open by year-end, pending regulatory approval.
“We’re using a contemporary design, featuring a glass exterior and louvers, to create an iconic look for M&T’s brand and a welcoming place for customers to do business, while also addressing environmental issues by better managing light and heat in the building. We look forward to celebrating this signature project with our employees and customers in West Seneca,” said Chief Marketing Officer Peter J. Eliopoulos.
M&T will relocate the existing Southgate Plaza branch when the new office is completed. Manager Sue Buerster and a staff of 23 employees will be relocated to the new building.
M&T Bank Corporation, founded in 1856, is one of the top 20 bank holding companies in the nation, with more than 800 branch offices an in New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Washington D.C., Virginia and West Virginia. More information is available at www.mtb.com.