"Stunning Allentown Victorian: Historic 1870 Character with Luxury 2024 Upgrades

This 2,202-square-foot Victorian residence, originally constructed in 1870, is located at 160 Mariner St in the historic Allentown preservation district of Buffalo, New York. Configured as a legal two-family property, the building features an adaptable layout that functions with the spatial ease of a substantial single-family estate. The building is split into a updated two-story owner’s quarters and a separate upper income-producing or studio flat, balancing preserved late-19th-century architecture with extensive 2024 mechanical systems modernizations.

The primary owner’s unit spans two levels of living space characterized by soaring ceilings and original narrow-plank hardwood flooring underfoot. The grand entrance opens into a large double parlor living room accented by custom built-in cabinetry, glass-paned French doors, and a brick wood-burning fireplace (sold in NRTC condition / Not Regulated for True Compliance). The formal dining room retains its historic character with a built-in china display hutch and classic perimeter wood wainscoting. Positioned just off the dining area, a dedicated pine-paneled study serves as an ideal home office space.

The primary kitchen was fully updated in 2019, utilizing custom china blue cabinetry, durable solid-surface countertops, a clean white tile backsplash surround, and a full suite of integrated stainless steel appliances. A flexible secondary room off the kitchen provides a footprint for a first-floor bedroom, den, or family room, supported by a discreetly positioned half-bathroom. The upper level of the owner’s suite hosts a spacious primary bedroom with a multi-sided bay window overlooking the rear grounds, a second bedroom, and a principal full bathroom completely renovated in 2022 featuring a modern walk-in tile shower with a seamless glass enclosure.

The secondary upper apartment is accessed via an independent second staircase. Currently occupied by a tenant utilizing the space as an art studio, this bright flat features hardwood flooring throughout, a large bedroom, a dedicated dining area, a full bathroom, and an independent kitchen setup.

The exterior features a beautifully landscaped backyard designed as a private urban oasis in the center of the city. Significant capital improvements were executed across the property infrastructure in 2024, including a complete exterior paint refresh, the installation of a brand-new Forced Hot Air (FHA) gas furnace, and a brand-new central air conditioning system. Geographically, the home sits in a highly walkable corridor close to public transit lines, Elmwood Avenue retail and dining districts, the Buffalo/Niagara Medical Campus, and downtown Buffalo.

📋 Property Specifications

💰 Price: $379,000

📍 Address: 160 Mariner St, Buffalo, NY 14201

📐 Interior Size: 2,202 sqft

🛏️ Bedrooms: 3 (Main Unit) + 1 (Upper Flat) = 4 Total

🛁 Bathrooms: 3 Baths (Total across both units)

🏗️ Year Built: 1870

🔥 HVAC Modernization: New FHA Furnace & Central A/C (Installed 2024)

🎨 Exterior Painting: Completed 2024

🏢 Configuration: 2-Family (Lives like a Single-Family / Art Studio Flat Upstairs)

💼 Transaction Note: The seller reserves the right to establish a formal offer review deadline.

🔍 Key Features & Details Explained

🏛️ Historic Allentown Architecture: Built in 1870, this High Victorian-era home features the classic vertical framing, deep spatial footprints, and high curb appeal highly sought after in Buffalo’s premier historic preservation zone.

🔥 Grand Double Parlor & Fireplace: The expansive main common rooms utilize traditional French doors to split the entertaining space, anchored by a central wood-burning fireplace hearth and classic built-ins.

🍳 2019 Kitchen Modernization: The main unit’s culinary center blends historic character with contemporary design, introducing high-contrast china blue millwork, upgraded food preparation surfaces, and stainless steel appliances.

🏢 Income or Studio Flex Space: The secondary upper unit offers a bright, high-utility footprint with hardwood floors, currently functioning as an art studio but fully equipped as an independent apartment.

❄️ Fully Updated 2024 Climate Control: The building’s core mechanical infrastructure has been fully updated with a new energy-efficient Forced Hot Air heating system and central air conditioning, bypassing the utility limitations common to 19th-century properties.

🌳 Landscaped Urban Oasis: The rear exterior grounds open up to an adorable, thoughtfully landscaped backyard enclosure, providing a quiet private sanctuary within a dense downtown neighborhood corridor.