About two years ago, local architect/developer Doug Swift and Pearl Street Grill & Brewery owner Earl Ketry had a vision to transform Buffalo’s old grain silos into what might be the world’s largest six-pack.
Later this week, the transformation will be complete.
“Earl Ketry and I took one look at that, and it screamed six-pack to us; it’s the perfect shape and we found out that some local people have been referring to it as a six-pack for years.”
Swift and Ketry own Buffalo RiverWorks, an eight-acre Ganson Street property that’s being transformed into an entertainment-based mixed-used development on the former Kelly Island industrial site.
This week, finishing touches are being put on the silos, which are configured the way beer cans nest to form a six-pack. They were painted blue and are being redesigned with giant Labatt Blue beer labels, which makes Buffalo’s newest landmark. The facility will house a brewery, and serve as the backdrop for the annual outdoor pond hockey tournament that Labatt Brewing Co. Ltd sponsors.
Vinyl wraps with Labatt insignias were created by Buffalo-based PrintLeader, and span about a quarter mile. PrintLeader’s Bill Paulot said that the big blue labels measure 32-by-28 feet.
After approaching Labatt’s, he said they loved the idea of transforming the silos to look like beer cans.
“They sponsor the annual pond hockey tournament, and they’ll use the six-pack as part of their marketing,” said Swift, whose brewery will be located at the base of it.
Swift said construction is underway on a brewery in the silos, and that he’s building a beer garden, plus two outdoor rinks under a 50,000 square-foot roof to be used for curling, open skating and hockey that he’s hopeful will be ready by November.
“We’ll have limited services and warm up areas, bathrooms and locker rooms,” he said. “Right now, 60,000 square feet is being built out that we hope will be open in January.”
It’s all part of a $15 million entertainment-based mixed used development on the former Kelly Island industrial site.
“It’s one large entertainment area with multiple uses,” Swift said.
He added that RiverWorks will be home to the Queen City Roller Girls roller derby team, and that his 60,000 square-foot indoor space, restaurant areas and decks that wrap around the facility used for banquets, corporate events, conferences, concerts and trade shows.