Richardson Olmsted Phase One

The Towers of the Richardson Building

The Richardson Olmsted Complex, formerly the neglected remains of the Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane, celebrated completion of phase one of its renovation. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held this morning. The Hotel Henry will be just one of the new tenants in the facility whose phase one renovations began in 2014. Today's cutting will serve as an update and momentum-builder for the continued work on the sprawling National Historic Landmark. Not long ago, the complex was very close to joining the list of incredible buildings that shortsighted people have taken a wrecking ball to in this great city. (Don't get us started on the old Buffalo Library). Spooky, spectacular, morbid or magnificent, whatever your description for the place, it looks like it's here to stay and it's coming along nicely.

CDP Theme - Abandoned

H. H. Richardson Complex

In keeping with City Daily Photo's theme for October 1, we have revisited the Richardson Building.
The sprawling series of buildings that make up the grounds of the former Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane, not so long ago, sat in a state of abandonment. Saved from neglect, deterioration, and the wrecking ball, the complex is now in its 10th year of revitalization. The grounds have been restored to a park-like setting and structural feats of engineering have saved the buildings from destruction. Hotel Henry is in the works, as well as other repurposing projects for this Richardsonian Romanesque masterpiece. Look around and see architectural treasures that have been forgotten or destroyed. Look at a building that was nothing but a ghost for 40 years and see it reborn. Know that it is possible.

Olmsted Richardson Complex