Buffalo New York is home to over 270,000 people and beloved by many, for its food, culture and prime location near a natural world wonder and the Canadian border as well as being the home of the Buffalo Bills. Founded in 1801 the city is over 200 years old and full of some amazing residential and commercial arcitexture, from downtown to the west-side there are many famous landmarks that add to the rich history of the city of good neighbors.
1.) Buffalo City Hall
Buffalo New York’s City Hall is located at 65 Niagara Square, in downtown Buffalo. The 71,700 Sq Ft Building started construction on May 14th 1930 and was finished on November 10th 1931. Built by the John W. Cowper Company at the time it was one of the most costly City Hall constructions in the entire United States. It was originally equipped with a non-powered AC system, because the the building faces the wind that carries off of Lake Erie and architects used the wind power to cool down rooms throughout the building through large vents.
City hall is huge staple in the greater Buffalo area, employing nearly 250 people. At the time of its finished construction it completely changed the way the city of Buffalo’s infrastructure was viewed locally and nationally and helped the city continue to expand its growing reputation as one of the biggest cities in America. It is just a beautiful testament to the city artictexture as well as the super nice ladies who take my constant money for parking tickets
2.) Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House
Located on the West-side in Buffalo’s Elmwood village at 125 Jewett Parkway. The Frank Lloyd Wright W Martin house is an Absolute staple in local Buffalo articture and famous Buildings it is just 1 out of the 10 structures that the infamous Frank Lloyd Wright designed in the city. Known for the stain glass windows, conservatory and mosaic tile fireplace the Martin house was Built between 1903 and 1905 it is recorded at a staggering 30,000 Sq Ft, which is astronomically large for a residential home. comprised of 8 bedrooms and the second floor and 4 bathrooms, the house was constructed for Buffalo business executive and Wright’s lifelong friend Darwin D. Martin and his family and was occupied by them until for almost 20 years.
Now the building is open to the public and used for 90 minute tours of the property for both interior and exterior, Only offered on Saturday mornings, it is truly a staple in local Buffalo history and a huge hotspot for tourist that visit the city. Considering it was built over more than 100 years ago it really added a modern twist and eye candy for local Buffalo residents that pass by and visit it on a Dailey basis.
3.) Hotel Richardson
If one building had to represent the entire West-side, Elmwood Ave area of Buffalo it is without a doubt Hotel Richardson (AKA Hotel Henry). Located on 444 Forest avenue this iconic, gothic sytle, Hogwarts-esc Hotel is one of the many favorite amongst Buffalo natives. A ridiculous 463,000 Sq Ft in total, the 88 room hotel solely operates in the center of the massive building amongst 4 floors while the outskirts and rest of the property is still largely vacant. Construction started in 1871 and the final brick was laid on the western side in 1895, originally constructed as an insane Asylum for the mentally inclined where patients resided until 1971.
In Buffalo State’s backyard the mid-century victorian style complex adds a ton of historic charm and essence to the cities style and vibe. It is also the corner stone and back drop for the Buffalo State Rugby team since 1971. It really is the west-sides biggest personality trait.
4.)AKG Art Museum
Buffalo’s AKG art museum originally known as the Albright- Knox is a new and old hotspot to the landscape of city, located right in the Delaware park area at 1285 Elmwood Avenue off of the expressway. The art museum just had a very large addition and restoration done to the art center. the original building and center was founded in December 1862, housing many world renowned artists’ work such as Pablo Picasso and Vincent Van Gough. in the last few years and recently finished in 2023 a 50,000 Sq Feet of additional building space was added to the campus to completely revolutionize and upgrade the museum. This addition granted 13 new galleries and cafes and restaurant for a whole new experience.
Buffalo is known for its art and culture the AKG art gallery is a great representation of it, right across the street from our very own Buffalo State campus it also accompanies the second biggest metropolitan park in New York State. It is a corner stone to local Buffalo k-12 field trips and big city feel to the elegance that our city has to offer.
5.) Buffalo River Works
River works is the home to many of Buffalo’s concerts, events and boat life that live and thrive here. located at 359 Ganson Street Buffalo’s Riverworks is a huge multipurpose compound that offers food and beverage, nightlife, music and art festivals as well as exhibits to down town. Constructed over 6 GFL grain silos during the Industrial Revolution in late 2014 the 60,000 Sq Ft compound was converted into a very large multipurpose venue that now contains a 5,000 patron venu, 2 outdoor ice rinks, ferris wheel, amusement park, martial arts dojo and brewing company.
Definitely off of the beaten path, Riverworks is a monumental part of the Buffalo NY and western New Yorker atmosphere. If you were born and raised here there is about a 90% chance you have done something at river works. In the ever-population city in which a lot of us call home, Riverworks is an ultimate part of who this city is and what is has to offer.