Roblin Building / Academy of Music

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Photo credit: Publications of Buffalo Historical, Mark Paradowski

Location

241 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14203
Theater was located at 245 - 247 Main Street
Google Bird's Eye View
Fillmore Council District
SBL: 111.70-1-7
Erie County Property Info
County Tax Map (loads GIS page)
City of Buffalo Parcel Viewer

Part of a larger parcel labeled 233 Main Street with Marine National Bank
Next to: Dennis Building

Owner

MAIN SENECA CORP per City of Buffalo Property Information
Search NYS Corporation Database for MAIN SENECA CORP

Physical Description

Current Condition

Academy of Music was demolished. Roblin Building is intact and in use.

History

  • October 15, 1852 - H.T. Meech opened the original Metropolitan Theatre as a theatrical stage
  • 1868 - Changed to the Academy of Music
  • 1893 - Building reconstructed as a more ornate structure with additional floors. Designed by M. E. Beebe and Sons.
  • 1955 or 1956 - Academy of Music demolished
  • 1960s - Roblin Building built
  • 1973 - After they moved across the street to their new tower, Marine Midland Bank put 233 Main Street and 241 Main Street up for sale together for $5 million.
  • 1976 - The bank sold the two mostly empty buildings for $2.2 million as part of a larger deal involving an office tower on Park Avenue in Manhattan.
    • The buyer was more interested in the Manhattan building, and sold the two Buffalo buildings to investors from the Bronx for a much lower price. The assessment and taxes were much higher than the investors expected, so they sold the buildings to long-time owner David Sweet for $500,000.
    • Then Marine Midland ran out of room in the tower and leased a floor in its old building at 233 Main Street , followed by more floors in that building and also in 241 Main Street . Sweet then bought the old bookstore building at 251 Main Street , and the bank leased the entire structure. courtesy The Buffalo News

Recent Events and Actions Taken

  • May 2, 2014 - The Buffalo News reports that this and four other buildings owned by David Sweet are for sale
  • May 29, 2014 - The Buffalo News reports that all 5 buildings are under contract for purchase. Potential new owner not named.
  • December 2014 - Renovation plans call for Roblin to house kitchen facilities, indoor parking, and some commercial office space, for the Marine Trust Building next door to be converted partially into condos and a hotel.

Other Pertinent Facts

Links


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Added 2013-09-11 • Last changed 2016-10-27

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