This magnificent building errected in 1898 at Ellicott and Riley is part of the campus of buildings formerly housing the St. Vincents Female Orphan Asylum. The campus also included the Squire Mansion which has recently been successfully renovated and fully leased (see below). I believe that this building was last used as part of the Erie Community College City Campus but has been sitting vacant since the early 1980’s. If there is any building in Buffalo that should be renovated it is this one.
It is another of those unheralded masterpieces by Buffalo’s Green and Wicks architecture firm. It is so wonderfully urban creating great definition to the street. Its detailing and proportions are lush but restrained and sophisticated. You can just imagine the possibilities. Just like the nearby Squire Mansion this one is a no brainer for restoration. The Squire Mansion has proven that projects in this part of the city can work. Let’s hope that someone with foresight steps forward soon and polishes this golden opportunity.
Lead photo: queenseyes
Detail photos courtesy of Chuck LaChiusa Buffalo as an Architecture Museum ah.bfn.org