Buffalo, An Architectural Treasure,
located in the Buffalo/Niagara Region in Western New York

Buffalo, named “the city of good neighbors,” is the perfect blend of small-town amiability and big-city culture. Its urban and suburban neighborhoods offer a wealth of greenery, culture and entertainment for any taste. Allentown’s brightly painted Victorian and neoclassical homes enhance the artistic atmosphere and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Elmwood Village offers a wide array of restaurants, cafes, specialty shops and galleries for any taste, especially those looking for something out of the ordinary. Buffalo’s waterfront communities host some of the most spectacular views of the region; home to modern marinas and many parks and beaches perfect for any water-sport.

Buffalo is known for its excellent architecture. Paralleling the city’s history, many prominent architects from around the world have chosen Buffalo as a site for their designs. From the Pan-American Exposition in 1901 to the present, Buffalo’s architecture cannot be ignored.

Buffalo is home to five buildings designed by the famous American architect, Frank Lloyd Wright. In fact, the Buffalo region is second only to Chicago in its number of Wright buildings. Wright’s instructor and mentor, Louis Sullivan, also set down (structural) roots in the city. The Prudential (Guaranty) Building, located downtown, is considered to be the first skyscraper ever built. Buffalo’s City Hall is an exemplary piece of Art Deco architecture, evidenced by the front façade and many colorful details on the exterior. The 28th floor is a free, public observation deck, offering unparalleled views of Buffalo and the waterfront.

Buffalo is also home to many houses of worship that are truly awe-inspiring. Temple Beth Zion, designed by Max Abramowitz, is a remarkable landmark on Delaware Avenue. The interior of the temple features scalloped walls, colossal stained-glass windows (designed by artist Ben Shahn), 30-foot high commandment tablets and 60-foot ceilings. Richard Upjohn, the first President of the American Institute of Architecture, designed St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, which was added as a National Historic Landmark in 1973. Many other houses of worship throughout the region boast incredible woodwork, stained-glass, and other architectural elements that will astound even the best architectural connoisseur.

The Buffalo Psychiatric Center is considered to be American architect Henry Hobson Richardson’s finest achievement. Built in 1870, this Romanesque monument possesses two immense red Medina sandstone towers, capped with oxidized copper. Frederick Law Olmstead designed the grounds for the Psychiatric Center, along with many parks and green areas throughout the city. Delaware Park, the largest Park within the city, boasts beautiful tree lined walks, a rose garden along the pond and what has come to be known as “Shakespeare Hill,” the site of the free Shakespeare in the Park summer series.