This wonder of architectural expression was designed to work seamlessly with Buffalo's surrounding Allentown neighborhood, including the elegant Butler Mansion directly across the street. The owner, Walgreens drugstores, pulled out all the stops spending twice what it was spending on its typical prototype stores at the time of its construction. Its design went through many reviews and revisions until everyone was satisfied that this prominent corner of Buffalo's most historic neighborhood would receive the best building possible. THIS is the building they came up with. THIS is the best that was possible! THIS!
At one time this corner was the epicenter of Delaware Avenue high society. It was often referred to as the best address in Buffalo. Once, clustered here were four mansions (Williams, Butler, Metcalf, and Root) designed by McKim Mead and White, the nation's most prestigious and influential architectural firm of their time. Of these four houses only two remain standing today. Many claim that the two demolished houses were much more important examples of the firm's work.
The Metcalf House, which once stood just west of the Butler Mansion still exists in pieces. Some of its first floor rooms have been reconstructed on the first floor of Rockwell Hall at Buffalo State College. Its beautiful main staircase is now part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art In New York City. The other demolished house was a Georgian style Root mansion on the site of the present day Walgreens. This house had a simple, casual elegance. It was very much admired by George Eastman and served as the inspiration for his palace-sized house in Rochester - the Rochester house still stands as a historic home and photography museum well worth seeing. The Root house was torn down in the late 1930's, most likely a victim of the depression. It was eventually replaced by a Howard Johnson Restaurant, which stood until it also was demolished to make way for Walgreens. This west side of Delaware, from North Street to Allen, is actually a bit unusual in that all of its mansions have been removed in favor of commercial buildings, most of which were built around mid 20th century.
The Howard Johnson's was no architectural wonder itself but it was not so bad. It was pushed up to the corner with its parking tucked along the side. It had big windows and was a lively presence on the street. The new Walgreens is pretty much the opposite of anything that preceded it. It has a grim colorless tone, over-scaled details, and odd arches leading to blank walls. It is set far back from the street in a sea of parking. As a sop to urbanism, a brick wall keeps company with sickly looking shrubs along the sidewalk. Hardly a replacement for Howard Johnson's big windows. Walgreens tossed in a stumpy clock tower at the corner (without any prompting by preservationists) as a nod to its signature corner location. News clippings from the time of its construction give a sense of what they were thinking when the building went up.
Store Architect James Manguso: "I am so proud of the store on Delaware/North… We've done some fairly nice ones, and I've got to rank that right on top."
Preservation Board Chairman at the time, Peter Levin said "...The result was a design that is much more compatible with the surrounding district and far more distinctive than what one usually sees today." Feigning praise?
Other Board members noted that a "great accomplishment does not necessarily mean you end up with a great building." Great accomplishment?
Board member and Architect Brian Brady noted that "Walgreens did a building that was the best that they could do..."
So why is this the best that Walgreens could do? Why is this the best that can be done by one of our country's biggest most profitable companies? Was it the best that they could do, or is it the best that they had to do? Why do we need a preservation board to fight a losing battle like this? Though the board members tried to paint lipstick on the pig, the fact is they did lose the battle. They lost not because they were fighting Walgreens. They lost because they were fighting a culture that no longer appreciated what makes a high quality built environment. We can make up random architectural rules requiring brick and arches but the underlying problem is when there is a culture that does not really care.
Thanks to WestCoastPerspective for the Buffalo News background clippings. He is the ultimate Buffalo development uber geek. Historic Root house images was found at Buffalo as an Architectural Museum.