By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – The Statler Hotel was once Buffalo's most luxurious hotel -- the place where visiting dignitaries and celebrities stayed. It's now an office building that has lost much of its luster. But what's known today as the Statler Towers was recently purchases by a British businessman who has lofty plans for the downtown landmark.
British businessman Bashar Issa plans to transform the Statler into a multi-use building consisting of upscale condos, offices and a hotel. Commercial real estate broker and radio personality George Hamberger brokered the deal. He's seeking memorabilia and stories from area residents about the Statler's grand past for a collectors book, DVD and website.
WBFO's Mark Scott reached George Hamberger at his office in the Statler Towers. Click the "listen" icon above to hear the interview now or use your podcasting software to download it to your computer or iPod.