Then and Now: Hamilton Ward House lives!
Long time BRO readers may remember a of story here on a small east side street called Coe Place and a pair on one house in particular at 19 Coe called the Hamilton Ward house and here. The house was allegedly slated to be demolished by its owner, the Belmont Shelter, for additional parking to serve their nearby office building.
After some limited public pressure the owner changed plans and renovated the building instead. The nearly completed renovation is shown here. Its not quite historically accurate, but is a major improvement none the less and a great example of what can be done with valuable historic resources if there is a will and mind set to take advantage of them. Coe Place is an important east side asset in that it is a compact mostly intact historic street directly south of the recently completed ArtSpace lofts. The ArtSpace organization sets as one of its goals the rejuvenation of distressed neighborhoods through housing investments that attract energetic creative people. They locate their projects in underperforming structures and neighborhoods which they believe will benefit from that goal because they are composed of densely built urban fabric full of rich architectural character. Large swaths of land dedicated to parking do not fit this mold.
In addition to owning the Hamilton Ward house Belmont Shelter also serves as local ArtSpace Lofts property manager. So, it was somewhat antithetical to the ArtSpace mission to have their own property manager removing portions of the ArtSpace neighborhood they were trying to save. Did ArtSpace put the kibosh on demolition? I have no idea how the decision was made not to tear down this house but thankfully this wonderful little street was not marred further by another city killing parcel of asphalt. David Torke at FixBuffalo has reported extensively on this street and the surrounding neighborhood. He notes that others have taken interest and at least one other house is undergoing renovation. Check out his archives for more information. For those who decry the silver bullet projects, here is your poster-child. One small step like this built on each previous improvement eventually adds up to a very big change for the better.
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Comment Options
Olcott_Beach
I have been watching the progress of this renovation and can only marvel at the transformation that has taken place with the Hamilton Ward House.
However, what is the eventual outcome of this newly renovated house? I would like to think that the option to purchase this residence would be open to the general public and not to become another subsidized housing unit.
The Belmont Shelter being what it is, I suspect the latter to be true….
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sbrof
Looks nice and whoever's possession it ends up in is better than another vacant lot.
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georged
could become the nicest crack house in the city!
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Colin
Anything east of Main = crackhouse. Got it.
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hamp
Nice to see the house is saved. I just wish they would have spent a little bit more on the rehab., ie the porches.
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dagner
Love the ORANGE! Recommend looking at the before state of this place on Google Maps Street View to appreciate the improvement.
Hamp: do the porches look cheap?
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sayvanderlay
Coe Place is clearly one of the most charming blocks in the City. I would have never discovered it, if it hadn't been for FixBuffalo. I happened to take a detour down Coe today, and saw this house - I think it looks absolutely great.
To those who are complaining about the porches - give us a break. Someone is taking the initiative to rehab a place, and you have to nitpick like that?
Finally...there's an absolutely beautiful house around the corner on Ellicott and Northampton - does anyone know the story behind it?
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chrishawley
Great article, Steel!
The pressure wasn't limited, but was quite concerted and organized. Belmont came through after the community urged the Preservation Board to hold a hearing on the demolition proposal and considerable research was unveiled on the history of the house, including its famous one-time resident, Hamiltion Ward, who gave the address at President McKinley's memorial service and who would later become New York State attorney general and the founder and co-founder, respectively, of Allegany State Park and the Erie County parks system. The community got a Buffalo News reporter revved up on the hot issue, and Belmont decided to do the right thing rather than quietly demolish the house to expand their parking lot.
I do wish the wooden siding and windows had been retained, but the material used more closely resembles the historic material than vinyl. Overall I'd say this is a fabulous outcome considering the two other alternatives: demolition by neglect or a quick empty lot, blowing out a key wing of this charming street. Bravo, Belmont!
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Shawnj46
It would have been nice if they went with a traditional railing system that fits the time period on the porches. Im quite sure and hopeful they will stain the pressure treated wood white. Unfortunatly PT has to weather for a bit and dry before it can take on any finish, usually for a year. But I agree it sticks out like a sore thumb for now. The only other option would be to use a vinyl or composite material, but these come at a much greater price tag.
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sbrof
That's not wooden clapboard? Nice! I am finally glad to see a new product that doesn't give off that cheap look like vinyl, at least in pictures at least. Have to see it in person for a real test.
I don't think the porches are cheap at all. I am sure they will look nice once painted. You want cheap porches go take a look at the Hope VI development west of Main Street... those porches are hollow thin metal and would probably bend if anyone of significant weight leaned on them. That's cheap.
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Joshua
This will be the Cary St. of Central Buffalo in the next 5 years - if people continue to purchase and improve upon the homes. This should set a precedent for things to come. I think that this house was tastefully done. The roof on the "tower" almost looks historically correct. Awesome job. Is this house for sale or does the home owner live there?
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lhuckabone
Thank you for your positive comments. It is nice to see so much interest in this neigborhood. When Belmont first located its office here in 1989, the area had been sorely neglected for decades. We tried for years to obtain ownership of 19 Coe, but instead had to watch it deteriorate in front of our eyes. When we finally got possession, the City made us sign a pledge to tear it down. Then the Preservation Board said it couldn't be torn down. We are pleased that we were able to rehabilitate it instead. For the record, the siding is wood (Cedar), and while some may think we were cheap in our rehab, the truth is far from it. Those of you who criticize - i challenge you to purchase a house in the neighborhood and do better! We would welcome your investment. We plan to rent the house. It will be advertised publically. We are having an open house on July 29th - 4:30-6:00.
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