Another Buffalo Mansion for Sale

So, can anyone post a free listing here?

onestar - if the listing is interesting, we'll consider it. You know, a lot like other urban blogs and like other popular sites like Curbed and RealEstalker.

There aren't a lot of $1M+ listings in Buffalo - indeed, I think only 2-3 houses have ever sold for more than $1M in the city, so these houses are worth writing about.

Thanks for your thoughtful question.

Imagine all the interest that Buffalo Rising could generate by writing articles about the many dilapidated homes for sale in Buffalo that are listed at $19,000 and below. Genius.

For those folks who do have an interest in some of the grand homes of Buffalo, here is some information for you. In 1928, Orin Foster, of Foster-Milburn Drug Co. (Doan's Pills) - later Westwood Pharmaceuticals, hired Buffalo architect Paul F. Mann to design and build 50 Tudor Place for his 42 year old daughter Helen Foster. The cost to build the house in 1928 was $225,121.97. Helen lived in the house with her staff of servants until she died at the age of 98 in 1984. In October 1984, there was a two day estate auction on-site that offered an incredible collection of furnishings and rugs. Hundreds of thousands of dollars in furnishings left that residence at the conclusion of the auction. I recall that many of the pieces of the one-of-a-kind furniture were displayed with the definitive reference books that had the illustration of the piece in it. The house was truly a museum. The current owner bought the house from the Foster estate in 1984 for $250,000.

Orin Foster also had 33 Tudor Place built for his other daughter, Edna.

This part of our built environment doesn't get as much exposure on BRO as the other side of the market. The reasons are many. I am not going to specifically speculate as to what this sudden surge might indicate, but I appreciate the historical information provided by contributors. After October, 1929, home ownership began to change along the finest street in the city. We call it by many names in different spots, but generally it is Delaware Avenue. Generally speaking, once private mansions became headquarters to private and public agencies. The individual stories are well documented.
Could we be experiencing the beginning of a similar change following September, 2008? This just might be important. This trend, if indeed it proves to be one, should send shockwaves all through the city. Then again, it just might be a blip. Either way, it does warrant attention in a forum like this.

JPP,

Many thanks for your research on this extraordinary urban house; if you have any other information on this house I'd be grateful to learn it.

The pictures on the realtor's website do it no justice. The drawing room is voluminous with 14 foot ceilings, gilded panels and 12 foot doors to the garden. It is transporting to be in it. The whole house is a testament not just to the Fosters' wealth, but more importantly to their keen and discriminating taste. The house was festooned with fine tapestries, porcelains and furniture, and though it's missing a few fixtures, it is largely intact, right down to the butler's office and original house phones. The elctrical panel charmingly labels the master bedroom the "boudoir."

Come and listen to a story about a man named Jed
A poor mountaineer, barely kept his family fed,
Then one day he was shootin at some food,
And up through the ground came a bubblin crude.

Oil that is, black gold, Texas tea.

Well the first thing you know ol Jed's a millionaire,
Kinfolk said "Jed move away from there"
Said " Buffalo...ny is the place you ought to be"
So they loaded up the truck and moved to Buffalo ny.

Hills, that is. Swimmin pools, movie stars.

Well now its time to say good by to Jed and all his kin.
And they would like to thank you folks fer kindly droppin in.
You're all invited back a gain to this locality
To have a heapin helpin of their hospitality

Hillybilly that is. Set a spell, Take your shoes off.

Y'all come back now, y'hear?.

ANYONE ELSE KINDA SEE OLE JED CLAMPETTE AND GRANNY COMING OUT THE DRIVEWAY....

One star and snark - Here you go. These are just a few examples of the stories I have done that fit the subject matter you are talking about.

http://archives.buffalorising.com/story/update_19_coe_place

http://www.buffalorising.com/2009/05/the-high-cost-of-nothing-2-a-tale-of-two-streets.html

http://archives.buffalorising.com/story/why_is_this_house_doomed

There are many more. If you are interested I will hook you up with more links

Also - here is the mansion on Lincoln that you mentioned.
http://archives.buffalorising.com/story/secrets_of_buffalo

skarnath,

You won't be able to see the house without some serious interest in buying it, which is a pity since the house epitomizes the last wave of grand and refined taste that Buffalo houses enjoyed: the late '20s. I'm not sure which is the more beautiful house--this French affair or Miss Foster's sister's house across the street, a Georgian tour de force. They are both ravishing.

But one thing I feel strongly about: neither this house nor 35 Lincoln Parkway should be a Junior League Decorator Showhouse. That would scar them. These houses need the vision, historical acumen, and mature taste of a loving owner and maybe one thoughtful designer. The Decorator Showhouses are terrific fundraisers for good causes but they are a scandal for the houses that get desecrated.

Clem Arrison made all his $ from Mark IV industries probably moving down to Florida full time. Can't blame him with all the taxes

Judging from the interior shot, this house will need major renovations. That room is so Louis XVI -by way of Carl Reiner. The only thing missing is the '50s Philco TV on rollers. But I agree with EricOak, you don't want to go all Spelling Mansion on it. Yet the 'right touch' could easily exceed the cost of the property...

sonyactivision,

As I said, the photos don't reflect the beauty of the house... at all. The rooms don't feel like a pastiche at all; in fact, they're convincing.