Buffalo: Guaranty (Prudential) Building

(four 0 four) · #1 Posted **Sep 28, 2007, 4:19 PM**

Following a recent parental visit to upstate NY, I flew back to ATL from the Buffalo airport. M & D were kind enough to get me to Buffalo early so I could get a few quick shots before jetting off.

This thread features one of the most stunning buildings in the US along with a few neighboring structures...I hope you enjoy the fast tour!

The Guaranty Building:
Completed in 1895/6, it was the tallest in Buffalo at 152ft. Louis Sullivan ('Father of the Skyscraper') from the Chicago firm of Adler & Sullivan was the architect. Its constructed with a steel framework and covered in ornate (to put it mildly) terra-cotta tiles.
Starting with the Great Depression, the building went through some tough times including a 1977 plan for demolition.

Interior shot from Buffalo architecture website:

City Hall, completed in 1932:

The Old County Building, completed in 1876:

The Liberty Building, completed in 1925:

The Darwin Martin House, completed in 1903-05:
Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, the 5 building complex is considered one of Wright's best Prairie Houses. It is currently undergoing a major restoration and photos without scaffolding/tarps were hard to come by...

From a Buffalo architecture website:

Unknown buildings:

krudmonk · #2 Posted **Sep 28, 2007, 4:56 PM**

That first one's rare to see in the U.S. Nice stuff.

Austinlee · #3 Posted **Sep 28, 2007, 5:38 PM**

The Guaranty bldg really is one of the best in the country... It is soo old but still looks great!

BuffaloSam · #4 Posted **Sep 29, 2007, 6:24 AM**

awesome pics!!

Mr. Rochester · #5 Posted **Oct 1, 2007, 11:28 PM**

Sick Wny!

LSyd · #6 Posted **Oct 2, 2007, 12:09 AM**

purdy

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(four 0 four) · #7 Posted **Oct 2, 2007, 1:59 PM**

Thanks for the comments!

Quote:

Originally Posted by PA Pride

The Guaranty bldg really is one of the best in the country... It is soo old but still looks great!

Apparently that wasn't always the case...this quote is from a web site that describes some of the past issues the building had:
"By the mid 1950s, the building was being described as “old and dirty.” In 1955, an ill-judged “modernization” project added a fiberglass exterior to the lower floors and a dropped ceiling in the lobby. Later cleaning efforts damaged the intricate terra cotta with harsh sandblasting."
It boggles the mind to think that anyone could treat such a treasure with anything but respect!

Downtown Bolivar · #8 Posted **Oct 2, 2007, 2:17 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by (four 0 four)

Thanks for the comments!

Apparently that wasn't always the case...this quote is from a web site that describes some of the past issues the building had:
"By the mid 1950s, the building was being described as “old and dirty.” In 1955, an ill-judged “modernization” project added a fiberglass exterior to the lower floors and a dropped ceiling in the lobby. Later cleaning efforts damaged the intricate terra cotta with harsh sandblasting."
It boggles the mind to think that anyone could treat such a treasure with anything but respect!

You don't know Buffalo. We have a horrifying track record when it comes to preservation. One need look no further than the demolition of Wright's Larkin Administration Building. We've lost a few treasures and nearly lost a few more.

denveraztec · #9 Posted **Oct 2, 2007, 4:16 PM**

Thank you for capturing these photos! Terra cotta is an incredibly difficult to material to preserve, especially with the weather elements in Buffalo. We have the deterioration issues with the terra cotta and flag stone materials used on the building built in the 1800s here in Colorado. The Guaranty building is looking spectatular and in great shape!