Richardson Olmsted Campus

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Restoration work, February 2016
WikiMedia, Buffalo News, Richardson Olmsted Corp.

Location

400 Forest Avenue Buffalo, NY 14213

Owner

Physical Description

  • Medina sandstone and red brick mental hospital complex, design based on the Kirkbride Plan, consisting of a central twin-towered administration/office building and eight connected ward buildings (remaining of the original ten).
  • Designed in HH Richardson's influential Romanesque style.

Current Condition

  • Undergoing extensive historically accurate renovation.
  • Brick buildings on the west side of the complex are stabilized and mothballed.
  • Central administration building and stone buildings have been converted to, among several uses, a luxury hotel (Hotel Henry).

History

  • Henry Hobson Richardson's largest commission. Olmsted-designed grounds. The first appearance of the Richardson Romanesque style.
  • The original name of the hospital was the State Lunatic Asylum. Also known as State Asylum for the Insane, Buffalo State Hospital, Buffalo Psychiatric Center (its name when it was last used as a hospital). Currently, the historic structure is known as the Richardson Olmsted Campus. The current State of NY psychiatric hospital is in the modern Strozzi Building, adjacent to the Campus.

Recent Events and Actions Taken

  • The south lawn has been restored to something like its original state as designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.
  • October 2014 - Work to begin on $80 million project to renovate the complex into an 88-room boutique hotel, event and conference center and home to the Buffalo Architecture Center. Buffalo Business First
  • The Hotel Henry opened in April 2017.
  • The Hotel Henry closed in February 2021.

Other Pertinent Facts

  • It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986.
  • The two easternmost wards were demolished in 1969.

Links


Newest Pages

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Added 2013-01-08 • Last changed 2022-08-12

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