Buffalo Rising Online

Jan 26th 2006, 1:40am By STEEL

This subtle Delaware mansion presents a very urban face to the city. It is actually a complex of three buildings pulled into a refined composition by a walled garden. The elegantly simple buildings include the main house, a gate house, and a carriage house forming a compound that fills its site. The main entrance opens directly onto Cleveland Avenue in a very European gesture. The entry is four steps up from street level providing a sense of separation from the public way that is just enough to say that this is a special place to pass through. Its paired glass doors are framed with delicate bronze styles and rails revealing rich wood paneling in the vestibule. Looking closely at the roof you will notice that the slate shingles gradually change size from largest at the eves to smallest at the ridge. This is a visual trick designed to make the roof appear more monumental. Though the house is monumental in many respects it retains a friendliness with the street. Its stucco surfaces have the beautiful patina of time having gathered a richness from accumulated soot and climbing vines. Great buildings like this are designed to get better with time.

As a kid my friends and I would play in the gardens. For several years, back in the seventies, it had no occupants (as far as we could tell). The enclosed compound is actually a series of walled spaces in an almost maze like configuration. Back then these spaces were filled with old stone fountains and the remnants of a once elegant garden. It had a spookiness and mystery that was perfect for a child's imagination. There was always that bit hesitation along with an adrenaline jolt as we climbed over the wall to begin our exploration of the grounds. One time we tried filming a horror movie only to find out the super 8 camera had no film. The day usually ended with 5 or 6 kids sitting atop one of the 7 foot walls waiting for the inevitable dinner bells that were commonly used by the parents in our neighborhood.

Since that time the building has been occupied by offices (most likely law offices). It is in top notch condition these days but sadly one of those courtyard gardens has been turned into a parking lot with a hole cut in one of the walls for access. The building still fascinates me to this day. Next time I walk by I just might get up enough nerve to peek inside the remaining garden and get that child like feeling of wonder again.