Feds Buy 120 Delaware Avenue
For the second time in less than a week, a Niagara Square area property has changed hands for a million dollars or more. Last Friday, Bashar Issa purchased the parking lot where he anticipates constructing the City Tower project. Yesterday it was your tax dollars doing the buying.
The General Services Administration purchased 108 Delaware Avenue and adjacent 95 Niagara Street for $1.45 million. The properties were purchased from One Twenty Delaware Inc. and will be cleared to prepare for construction of the new federal courthouse.
The lots are adjacent to 120 Delaware, the former Erlanger Theater. That building will face the wrecking ball but not before a few of the building’s architectural features are removed and saved for a future unknown use.
Photo: Buffalo as an Architectural Museum
According to the Buffalo as an Architecture Museum website, the Erlanger Theater was built in 1927 by Statler Hotels, Inc. as a complement to the Statler Hotel located directly across the street. It had a capacity of 1500.
The architects for the building were Warren & Wetmore of New York City. Other buildings in New York City by the firm include Grand Central Station, New York Yacht Club, and the Belmont, Ambassador, Ritz Carlton, Commodore, Vanderbilt, and the Biltmore hotels.
The theater closed in 1956. A Rochester purchaser scheduled it for demolition. In 1959, Darwin R. Martin, son of Darwin D. Martin, purchased the building and gutted the theater to create commercial office space. Longtime anchor tenant Lawley Insurance Group moved to an expanded Pleu Building in early 2006.
The $120 million, 10-story glass clad courthouse is expected to be open by mid-2010.
What Others Have To Say
What Do You Think?
Related Articles
-
Science Firsthand - Partners in Discovery
At an after school program recently, some kids were doing homework, some were on computers and some were in the gym. But a small group of fourth-graders were designing and building boats out of household products- plastic cups, construction paper, and tape. They had been building and modifying their boats throughout the week, trying a few different design and construction plans. Now they were ready to race them across a tub of water, using a fan to power them across. After deal … - Today, 8:00am
- Continue Reading
- Join the conversation
-
Griffis III Latest Sculpture - A Polarizing Piece
Larry Griffis III is a well-known Buffalo figure whose experience with steel is not only his passion, but his birthright. Some may know of his father’s sculpture park in South Buffalo, founded in the 60s, but his son has taken up the torch and is now a world-renowned sculpture. What started with the father has continued with the son. Griffis III’s work is starting to appear in spots in Buffalo and now, to see one of his works, you need look no further than Forest Lawn Chapel.
… - Today, 7:07am
- Continue Reading
- Join the conversation
-
Christmas With Vocalis at Karpeles
Though they only began in 2002, the 18-person Vocalis Chamber Choir have already made a name for themselves. Vocalis’ first CD was praised by the Buffalo News, is played regularly on WNED-FM, and they perform regularly through WNY, Toronto, and Pittsburgh. Their 2008-2009 season, which only includes eight or nine performances in WNY, will begin at Karpeles Manuscript Museum with their holiday concert dubbed, “Christmas at the Karpeles.”
This Saturday, December 6th, at 8PM, … - Today, 7:07am
- Continue Reading
- Join the conversation
-
So Long Elmwood, Hello University District
Ever since the Falafel Bar opened on Allen Street, it was only a matter of time before the Elmwood location was no longer for this world. I spoke to owner, Oded Rauvenpoor, who told me that the decision to close came when he was at a crossroads. He found himself happy with his Allentown diggs, but began eying another part of the city for the Elmwood restaurant. In the end, Oded decided that he wanted to try his hand in the University District (3476 Main Street). I guess there was … - Yesterday, 8:41pm
- Continue Reading
- 7 Comments
Comment Options
Jefferson
Tallulah Bankhead played at the Erlanger back in the 1940s.
Report this
davvid
Handsome old buildings but still I can't wait to see construction start on this new building!
Report this
Spaulding97
At least they're removing the architectural features and saving them. One less obstacle in the way. It will be great to see a crane up in the sky.
Report this
Andrew
I cant believe that piece of crap sold for that much on our dollars. I bet a private development company could have gotten it for cheaper. either way i cant wait to see construction start on the courthouse!!!
Report this
Digginit
Spaulding97 - Do you know what are they doing with the architectural pieces? Are "they" selling them or reusing them on another building?
Report this
BROKEEPSBLOCKINGME
BENDERSON HAD A DEAL TO BUY IT FOR $550,000. GOVERNMENT WASTING OUR MONEY ONCE AGAIN...BUFFALO, ERIE COUNTY AND THE FEDS IN NY...BUREAUCRACY AT ITS FINEST!!!!!!!!
Report this
RPreskop
Well at least this ordinary looking red brick box known as the Erlanger Theater is finally purchased by the federal government. I am looking forward to its demolition and clearence. The proposed new federal courthouse will be a positive, modernist architectural addition to Buffalo's rarely changing downtown cityscape.
Report this
needles
BROkeeps... for the love of God, please turn your caps lock off!!! lol
If that's true, that's typical govt. spending for ya. Our tax dollars; hard at work.
Report this