Restoration of Historic Niagara Club Moves Ahead After Years of Delays

After years of stalled efforts and changing plans, redevelopment of the historic Niagara Club in Niagara Falls is finally moving forward. The building’s owner, Babu Patel of Rupal Corporation, recently secured approval from the city’s Planning Board to begin the long-awaited renovation project aimed at bringing new life to the century-old site.

Originally built in 1865 as a private home, the structure later became the Niagara Club in 1901 and served as a hub for the city’s social elite until it closed in 1996. Since then, it has seen a variety of temporary uses, but substantial restoration plans had never materialized.

Patel purchased the property in 2009 with a vision of converting it into a high-end dining and events venue. Although previous plans faltered due to shifting market conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic, Patel has continued to invest in the building, keeping it structurally sound while pursuing tenants for smaller-scale uses, including a Spot Coffee café that opened on-site in 2020.

Now, with other projects under Rupal Corporation’s umbrella stable and operational, Patel’s team is moving forward with a new $2 million plan to fully revitalize the space. The updated concept includes a 250-seat banquet facility, a 150-person steak and seafood restaurant, and a rooftop bar with seating for 25 guests, offering live music and panoramic views of Niagara Falls. Most of the renovation work will focus on restoring the interior to reflect its 1930s aesthetic.

In recognition of the site's location within a designated economically distressed census tract, the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) approved a new round of incentives totaling $274,501. This package includes over $180,000 in property tax relief and nearly $93,000 in sales tax exemptions. Rupal Corporation had previously received over $383,000 in incentives for an earlier phase of redevelopment in 2019 as well as a $523,250 Cataract Tourism Fund grant.

According to IDA documents, the project is expected to generate eight full-time and 13 part-time jobs, with an average salary of just over $36,000. The redevelopment will be financed entirely through bank loans covering costs such as $1.59 million for construction, $360,000 for equipment, and $53,000 in related expenses.

Construction is slated to begin within the next several weeks with a goal of completing the project in about six months. If all goes as planned, the Niagara Club could once again become a landmark destination for visitors and locals seeking food, entertainment, and history in the heart of the city’s tourism district.

Restoration of Historic Niagara Club Moves Ahead After Years of Delays