219 E Buffalo St 5,000 SF Vacant Retail Building New Buffalo, MI 49117 $880,000 ($176/SF)

Summary
Together, 219 and 215 E Buffalo St. represent one of downtown New Buffalo’s most compelling mixed-use opportunities—a fully upgraded commercial structure paired with an optional adjacent parcel for parking or expansion. Over $300,000 in recent capital work has transformed the building into a secure, energy-efficient, and design-ready platform in one of Lake Michigan’s most sought-after coastal markets and visible corners.
Downtown Commercial / Mixed-Use Property with Optional Adjacent Parking Lot
Overview
Situated in the core of New Buffalo’s historic commercial district, 219 E Buffalo St. offers a fully improved, structurally renewed commercial building with a separate adjoining parcel at 215 E Buffalo St. available as an optional expansion or parking asset.
The property sits just blocks from the beach, marina, and Amtrak station—an anchor position in Harbor Country’s most desirable retail and cultural corridor, frequented year-round by local residents and Chicago-area visitors.
Property Highlights
Address: 219 E Buffalo St., New Buffalo MI 49117
Optional Adjacent Lot: 215 E Buffalo St. (separate parcel, paved lot with ingress/egress to Buffalo Street)
Building Size: ˜ 4,800 sq ft single-story
Lot Size: ˜ 0.25 acre (plus ˜ 0.12 acre adjacent parcel)
Zoning: C – Commercial / Retail / Mixed-Use
Parking: Up to 18 surface spaces across both parcels
Year Built: c. 1960; fully modernized 2023–2025
Capital Improvements — Over $300,000 Invested
Recent structural and systems upgrades create a turn-key shell for retail, gallery, or mixed-use conversion:
New roof trusses and structural reinforcements
Full roof replacement (high-performance membrane system)
New poured concrete slab and foundation stabilization
New insulated commercial-grade windows and storefront glazing
New steel exterior and storefront entry doors
New LED lighting and upgraded electrical service
Site drainage, concrete aprons, and façade improvements
Location & Market Strength
Prime downtown visibility along Buffalo Street, New Buffalo’s main east-west artery. Red Arrow Highway and Whitaker prime Harbor Country entertainment corner.
Walkable to marina, beach, train station, hotels, and top restaurants.
Benefits from strong Chicago second-home and tourism market—steady year-round activity.
Very limited inventory of comparable improved commercial properties in Harbor Country.
Use & Development Potential
219 E Buffalo St.: ready for activation as a gallery, showroom, retail, studio, or cultural space.
215 E Buffalo St.: flexible auxiliary lot suited for dedicated parking, outdoor events, courtyard, or future expansion.