Buffalo Rising Online

I LOVE this building and this part of town so, so much. Parts of the neighborhood are in not-so-great condition but hardly anything has been torn down and the streetscapes are quite intact. Maybe it's just because the brick weathers well, but it's pretty hard to make these buildings look bad. Johnson Park is like that, too -- even the seedy ones are gorgeous.

I'm one of the people who, when they think 'classic Buffalo street,' picture a line of upstairs/downstairs woodframe duplexes, or maybe a set of Victorians set close to one another, but the further downtown you go, the more you see stuff like this, and it feels so unexpected.

As a West Village resident I feel spoiled. I get to enjoy this building and others in our neighborhood every day. The West Village is a well hidden gem and I would like to encourage others to come visit and enjoy as I do.

Credit must be given to the West Vilage Renaissance Group and and its members for working so hard to keep this community intact and resolving the challenges it still faces. Thank you.

I, too, have so many memories of those wood duplexes. This neighborhood and this building are really wonderful. Its really one of those neighborhoods within a neighborhood. People dont reallize that there are sections of the westside that were built at a certain time and have their own characteristics.

Now this is a prime example to test historical fakeness.

Suppose there is an empty lot in this neighborhood. Do you: A) build a new home/apartment building with the period characteristics that blend into the neighborhood B) build a new modernistic structure that forever looks like a pimple on a turn of the century canvas

I choose "A" because this is the only place that building a house, residence or commercial structure of that period actually makes sense. Your certainly not going to build a French Empire or Victorian in Amherst or Clarence.

Whats true for residences is true for commercial space! Good design is good design....depending on the surroundings any period design can and should be built.

The architects who designed the hotel on Elmwood should take a good long look at this building... then go back to the drawing board.

Lou,

I choose option C (the one you conveniently left off). Build a quality modern building that uses time honored and tested principles of creating space, respects the scale and patterns of the neighborhood but uses forms, materials, and technology that is evocative of our time.

You also conveniently left off option D...build a hack kneed fake historic building that has no concept of what it is copying and is built of drivit and plastic. The way things are done now if you choose option A you are actually choosing option D

Then there is option E... Complain about anything being built because so many crappy option D's have been built that the neighborhood is being ruined.

By the way no option C's have ever been built in Buffalo while there are plenty of option D's

I love this building too; it's one of the many reasons I decided to make my home in the West Village. There are many of these brick apartment buildings in the neighborhood, many of them built as hotels for the Pan Am Exp at the turn of the century. There is a building just across the street from this one, for example, called "The Whitney." Unfortunately, it appears to have been abandoned, though it looks to be still intacts and beautiful. The Whitney's twin is two lots down the block, and has been converted into a rooming house. What amazing B&B's or Inns these would make, or upscale apartment buildings. Any developers out there reading this?

Lou,

In Buffalo it is option P for Parking Lot! What were you thinking?

Thank you, Steel!

Wait, isn't that building really on the corner of Whitney and Carolina? At any rate, that block of Whitney is asthetically my favorite block in the entire city. The very narrow street combined with all the red brick structures make this picture perfect.

If a coherent redevelopment plan is put into place for this neighborhood, everything should have to be built in either redbrick or brownstone.

why can't someone show this photo to Savarino... now that would make a great boutique hotel.

sorry my2cents, scrolled past your post.

Yes I am sorry. This building is at the corner of Whtney and Carolina. One block from where I had indicated. I will correct the error.

Thanks

At least this picture demonstrates that you can put a four-plus stories building next to much smaller two-and-one-half stories houses and the resulting streetscape is still beautiful, everyone loves it, and no one wants it to change.

Earlier generations could do this so well; today we do not do it so well. Lou makes a significant point. The reasons this marvelous corner building fits in so well despite its size are that it is made of a quality of brick and stone rarely seen anymore; its windows and bays and turrets and roof variations and other details are of the same kind and size that single-family houses of the period exhibit; it actually has an interesting roof that can be seen from the street; and there is a clear welcoming entryway, rather than a glass door in a wall of glass.

It's not the concept of modern that doesn't work most times, it's the execution. Similarly, unless period reproduction is executed with a level of craftsmanship and materials unaffordable in most cases today, you get the schlocky architecture of most of suburbia.

Thank heaven we still have the real thing here.

On the Contrary Perry, watch real estate trends across the nation (Buffalo is alittle parochial and behind the times on this as evidenced by us coming 20 years late the real estate boom)

Singles, couples and small families are trading floor space for design amenities. Given a choice of a large contemporary or modern house with cathedral ceilings and large lawns but no moldings or architectural details versus a house with smaller floor space stone or brick exteriors, mouldings, etc. People chose the smaller house with more details.

This is happening all over the country.

So dont assume that you cant build quality today. They can and they do. Right now Buffalonians are still hooked on size instead of quality but very soon developers will be offering a choice of either size for the growing family or quality for the small family/empty nester or singles.

I just hope that the westside, eastside and southside are ready when the developers reallize just how convenient and livable the city of Buffalo because it would be nice to blend quality new development in with the existing older structures.

I love this block of Whitney, I lived on it for 5 years. Its an oasis in downtown Buffalo. Many of the people who own houses on this block have worked hard to keep its beauty intact. Besides all of the wonderful architecture I love the trees. If you drive down Whitney from further north, you really notice how special this block is with its preserved buildings and mature trees.

Lou, of course it can be done. I agree. Do you know Clem Labine's Traditional Building magazine, or the American Classical Society's publication, for examples, which highlight phenomenal new buildings in historical styles. We know the craftsmen and materials are out there because of these illustrations of new work in historical styles, and the magnificent preservation/restoration projects going on all over the country.

The cost of good reproduction work is so very high, however, that it is only the projects with huge budgets and architects extremely-well-educated in the history of architecture that produce convincing buildings. At least nine times out of ten, you get blown-up neo-Georgian commercial and multi-family buildings with completely out-of-scale detail, windows with plastic muntins, etc., and Ryan Homes-type single-family houses with vinyl pediments over sliding glass doors. I'll take modern design over that.

I would love to see more young people interested in learning historical building crafts and techniques; more people able to teach them; and more education of the public in architecture and the design arts. Until the latter occurs, people will continue to buy what they think are "period" houses just because they have crown mouldings, nailed-on shutters, and columned porches protecting front doors that are never even used.

Do most modern buildings in older areas fail their neighborhoods? In your opinion and mine, yes, they do. But it doesn't have to be that way.

Lou,

I think I will have to differ with you on your thesis.

The McMansion craze has never been stronger. Here in the Chicago suburbs their is a raging debate over older houses being torn down and replaced by giant cheaply built houses with lots of cheap fakey historic junk details. If space is shrinking it is because high demand drives up prices. A developer can maximize his profits by reducing unit sizes. The smaller sized housing units are more likely in the city where land is expensive. The big bloated houses are being built out in the far suburbs.

In either case the vast majority of developer driven construction is very cheaply done and cheaply done fake historic detail is the most offensive. Chicago is loaded with block after block of this junk. The irony is that some historic streets have been completely rebuilt as cheaply done fake hsitoric buildings (with small apartments)

Whew! Nice comments - now some history. This building and the one mentioned by Ben (The Whitney) are both former hotels built for the Pan Am.

As far as Lou's multiple choice - I select K - for open space the neighborhood can use for proactive programs for kids. Teaching botany and growing skills, maybe setting up a play area. There are too many buildings too close together. Fortunately, I live on Johnson Park and we have the Green, but kids need programs and spaces, especially in the city. So, new builds that either reflect the architecture or do not? Nope, no, and zippo. Let's build community over fast track housing.

No one ever mentions the importance of trees. Part of that building's beauty is the fact that there are trees in front of it. It would probably lose some of its allure if it didn't have those mature trees as part of the package. It reminds me of the Seminary building on Bidwell near the circle- big brick building and big old trees.

Trees are fun,

You did, and you are absolutely correct. And what you say also has a bearing on Marilyn Rodgers comment above. City neighborhoods need far more trees-- on the streets and in new "vest-pocket parks."

The last time I lived in upstate New York for an extended time was the horrible period when the American elms were coming down by the thousands. So many towns were almost entirely planted with elms and they never looked the same after the disease took its toll (on the trees and the municipal budgets). Relative to many cities, Buffalo is quite lucky in the number and variety of its park and street trees, at least outside of downtown.

I'd be interested to know, since I am not living in Buffalo now,

1. Does the city have an Adopt-a-Tree program like some others?

2. Is there any municipal program for the creation of new parks, playgrounds, and community gardens?

Well, it seems we have a difference of opinions.

Ive seen new infill development in other cities that have blended quite nicely with the existing neighborhood. No not cheaply built McMansions. Yes, the suburbs tend to take period pieces and add them to a house (like palladian windows, shutters, columns) and then do it on steroids bigger bolder where older houses were bold but reserved todays interpretation is bold and in your face.

But again, it depends on the developer. There are developers who are focusing on architectural detail. Wonderful townhomes and rowhouses with a two car garage on the first floor and then side stairs leading up to the entrance with your choice of brick, stone, etc. finish.

Ive seen wonderful infill housing in Minneapolis with mission architecture....and it blends in with the other mission and queen anne homes.

You can say it cant be done authentically. I say it can and is being done but it depends on the developer. They can do a cheap plastic McMansion or they can spend the money on more expensive brick and stone features, roofing tiles, etc.

Lastly, we need a volunteer organization called Trees Buffalo. Statistics show that Buffalo is one of the least treed cities in upstate and I hope that everyone in Buffalo works to plant trees in their community.

Perry, as far as I know, there are no programs like that here in Buffalo. Most of the work we do in establishing "green havens" and remediation of lots has been through strong partnership with our Common Councilmemebr Brian Davis.

Although, our Beautification Committee Chair, Justin Booth, is working on some tree replacement and other plans for Whitney Place and Prospect Avenue.

Some of the remediation comes through a city-run department - "Keep WNY Beautiful." I also know that Justin is working with the Natonal Arbor Day Foundation. His post to our WVRG blogsite is found here: http://wvrg-beautify.blogspot.com/2005/12/whats-missing-in-picture.html.

We need greenspace for all the generations in our neighborhoods. Another issue we want to address in the West Village is community food sources and healthy living through proper menu development. Spaces like those described can provide areas for community gardens and foster terrific partnerships, especially in diverse communities such as ours. And that's what builds neighborhoods.

Thanks, Marilyn and Lou for the information you have provided. When I get up there for good, I will volunteer in any community parks/community gardens effort around (if not too decrepit by that time).

Many homeowners don't want or like the trees in front of their homes because of what the roots can do to the sidewalk, and the more practical problem of sunlight. Many cut the trees down, only to realize that the neighbors' houses and yards are pretty ugly and the tree was saving them from looking at it. Oops.

You can hide a lot of ugliness with a strategically planted tree. They catch and redirect the eye, so even when they are small they can have a huge impact.

Chicago is an extremely green city, to the point that the locals complain about all the landscaping along the boulevards because pedestrians come popping out from behind trees and plants onto the curb and into the road without giving drivers much of a chance to be on the look out. The city of Buffalo isn't in the fiscal position to green us up that much, but it would be nice to see this city move in that direction.

Historical reproduction architecture would probably give itself away as a new build without an old tree or two in front of it.

You and me both!

Buffalo streets were at one time heavily forested almost exclusively with Elms. They started getting diseased in the 60's I believe. By the 70's the streets had been decimated and most of the old elms were cut down.

The city diligently replaced many trees but often did not planted as dense as they were before the carnage. For example both Linwood and Richmond had double rows and many properties had more than 2 trees across. The new standard is one single row between street and sidewalk and no more than 1 tree per property.

The uniformity and beauty of the Elms was also their downfall. Since they were all the same tree type they were all susceptible to the same diseases and all died at the same time leaving the city decimated.

The new strategy is to plant multiple varieties so that diseased is not easily spread and all the trees can not contract the same sickness. The affect is not as dramatic but is probably good in the long run

Buffalo was once so heavily forested it was known as a city in a forest. If you have ever seen the old pictures it was very very beautiful. There are a few pockets of streets with the old trees left. Parts of Linwood still have the double rows. The street along the south side of Canisius College shows what it was like in full.

Many of the trees planted in the 70's are becoming large now and the effect of the trees is more prominent.

Well disease free elms are now available and to be honest...would it be great it Elm Street was lined with Elms, Oak with Oaks and maybe the Fruit Belt with wonderful cherries.

Yes, Im familiar with how heavily forested Buffalo was...our family has pictures of the elms on Buffalo Streets....they were so tall and arching met in the middle of the street. It was said that the simple act of driving down the street or walking .... was like being in a living cathedral.

Well there are Trees Seattle and Trees Atlanta....I say its time for Trees Buffalo and we shouldnt stop until a tree is planted on every street throughout the entire city. Lets make Buffalo a living cathedral once again.

IS THERE ANYONE WITH MARKETING EXPERIENCE WHO CAN GET NURSURIES TO DONATE AND CAN GET THE MESSAGE OUT. PERHAPS GETTING GIAMBRA OR BROWN TO INCLUDE PLANTING TREES IN THEIR PUBLIC SPEECHES.

I remember living on Colvin by Tacoma as a kid and we called the street a Green Cathedral. That was way before the Dutch Elm Disease hit.

One thing that needs to be said here. If we plant new trees, they should have some maturity to assure we're not going to get two foot plantings that can die from abuse or neglect. Also, with a more mature planting, the streets can have a green look immediately.

Buffalo Rising has marketing experience. They should start a tree planting campaign on their site.

Saplings don't actually cost that much, depending on the type of tree, but as M. Rogers said, they are vandalism waiting to happen. Larger trees are more expensive and require more labor to plant.

I had contact with UB student Evan Reed, of Williamsville, the wonderful young man who started Trees for Western New York a few years ago. I sent a little money for him to plant hybrid elms in memory of my grandparents. Don't know if the project is still going; it was a sort of one-man effort, but deserving of support.

Trees make the neighborhood. Take a look at Timon running north of Best Street on the East side--a brick street with sycamores lining each side. Beautiful.

From talking about great architecture to trees - I love it!

The Urban Forest Master Plan for the City of Buffalo is a wealth of information for the reforestation and maintenance of the city's forest. It sets a goal for an 85% canopy cover. To reach this goal we must plant 23,000 trees, not including the ones that have to be reomved due to poor health.

While this number seams a lot it is not insurmountable. There are many efforts in the city working on trees. Organizations such as Buffalois Olmsted Parks Conservancy, Reforest Buffalo Coalition, the Buffalo Green Fund, Keep Western New York Beautiful, and Buffalo Weed & Seed are all working on initiatives that are consistent with the Master Plan and aim at that 85% canopy cover.

An important aspect of the city's reforestation effort is citizen involvement. We must work togther to not only plant the trees but perform maintenance. If people are interested in trees for their community I would suggest calling Keep Western New York Beautful at 851-4370. They could provide you with information on proper tree selection, planting and maintenance.

Trees? How about Fundable.org?

I hear it's also a good place to get a real, quality, 3'x5' City of Buffalo Municipal Flag...

Or at least, that's what all the kids on the street are saying!

I have to say, in all my years here I don't think I've ever seen a Buffalo Municipal Flag flying in front of anyone's house.

This building wasn't built for the Pan American (people want everything to be "built for the Pan-Am", I swear!)

It is "The Columbia Flats", not a hotel, and appears on the 1894 City Atlas, along with the 2 large apartment buildings next to it on Carolina - those being "Henrietta" and "Marguerite" ; the empty lot around the corner on Prospect held the "Josephine" flats, at the time.