Eckhardt Lofts entails the historic restoration, renovation and reuse of the 3-story former Eckhart Department Store and is located in the Broadway-Fillmore Historic District in Buffalo, NY.  The project restores this long neglected and abandoned historic building with an 11,000sf ground floor daycare, 28 affordable housing units, as well as an indoor farm operation which will cultivate fresh local produce. Gated on site parking and playground facilities will support the daycare functions, with a rain garden working to reduce storm water runoff. These improvements, along with upgraded exterior lighting and signage will restore the Eckhardt building to the community cornerstone it once was.