The restoration of 153 Delaware Avenue, better-known for its former color (blue) than its address, has been quietly underway for eight months. Located just north of the Statler and across the street from New Era’s new headquarters, it is one the last historic mansions located ‘downtown.’ Howard Goldman purchased the mansion in December 2006 from Carl Paladino and his son Billy of Ellicott Development. He had been interested in the address for several years and purchased it less than a week after discovering that it was available.
“I plan on utilizing the property as a personal residence for the wife and myself,” says Goldman. “I also look forward to the opportunity of offering use of the facility to my favorite organizations. The property’s downtown government and financial core proximity attracted me.”
According to Father Edward Dunn’s book, Buffalo’s Delaware Avenue Mansions and Families (published by Canisius College Press), Hiram Hotchkiss, a jeweler from Connecticut, built the house in 1865 (photo above). It was later sold to Dr. Thomas Lothrop, a Buffalo School Superintendent. By the 1940’s it had evolved into a bar and rooming house. Later, it became the Roundtable Restaurant of which New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner was an active partner.
In the 1990’s it entered its nightclub and gay bar phase. Most recently it was Club Tantra, before that Club Cobalt, Club Aluminum, Club Heat, and others. With the Balcom-Chandler house sadly demolished, the property is now the last remaining house in the immediate vicinity of Niagara Square.
Interior designer Paul Lamorticella and architect David Sutton (Buffalo Chop House, Laughlin’s, Brownstone Bistro, Oliver’s) have been retained to oversee restoration of the 6,000 sq.ft. building. The restoration will strive to achieve historical correctness. According to Goldman, he will be “performing much of the work myself for enjoyment, exercise, fresh air, and penny pinching.”
“I am enjoying this new experience because I am learning a new set of skills. I have spent most of my career behind a computer. For my day job, I own a small company that manufactures GPS vehicle tracking systems,” says Goldman. “As a hobby, I have done some classic car restorations but I have never done anything with brick and mortar. I enjoy the satisfaction that comes along with doing a job one’s self. I often kid with my neighbor Bashar Issa that he should do more of the Statler restoration with his own hands rather than paying others to have his fun for him.”
A full restoration has begun with the removal of the blue paint from the exterior bricks and from the red Medina sandstone foundation and accents. During the eight months that he has owned the house, Goldman has stabilized the various mechanicals so that the place is secure and does not "self-destruct."
The house features a commercial kitchen the size of a four-car garage with a 22-foot deep walk-in refrigerator. There is also a walled outer courtyard, a jazz lounge (that will stay) and six fireplaces. The upstairs is a total rehab but fortunately the original house floor plan and trim are intact and will serve as a valuable guide. The upstairs was last remodeled on May 14, 1914. On that day the painter/decorator signed the wall. It appears to be untouched since that time. “I would call the decor Early Horror Movie,” says Goldman.
The front of the house from the turret to the north side is a drawing room with a side parlor. That room will be a combination drawing room and home office. It has five windows with old style heavy 1/4" plate glass with views of treetops, Delaware Avenue, Niagara Square, and City Hall. It has an intact fireplace and mantle.
Behind the drawing room is a long dark hallway that runs the width of the house to the master bedroom. The bedroom fireplace is visible as you look down the hallway. The master bedroom has a window view of City Hall and the federal courthouse site (picture below). It also has a larger window with a view of Delaware Avenue. There is one other bedroom on the second floor and two smaller bedrooms on the third floor.
The first floor will be used to entertain friends and to host special functions. Paul Lamorticella is designing everything in the interior to be at least dual use. For example, the dining room may convert to a business conference room and then to a corporate boardroom. The theater may be converted from performance, classical recital, or jazz lounge to a suitable venue for award presentations, lectures, and press conferences. Large areas of the front room may be arranged into smaller areas to accommodate several small groups of people, each equipped with a fireplace. A food and beverage staging area will be placed strategically to eliminate trips back and forth to the kitchen.
"Paul and David expressed to me that they especially enjoy this particular project because it is not a typical commercial project and we won't have to rush our ideas in order to make a hard deadline," says Goldman. "The house will help us determine the final details as its character reveals itself to us. We currently meet once a month at the house to maintain the momentum. I work on the house every day after work and on weekends. Two weeks ago I purchased a sky lift and I have been using it almost every day."
There are few buildings as old as 153 Delaware Avenue downtown. Thanks to Goldman's work, this holdout is hanging on.
Photos by Howard Goldman, ‘BuffaloBloviator’