The
Richardson Complex and Olmsted grounds are part of Buffalo's reputation as an
architectural powerhouse. The historic former mental hospital was a partnership
between noted American architect H. H. Richardson and best known American landscape
architect Frederick Law Olmsted. This Complex, with its signature Gothic towers,
stands out as an architectural gem, to locals and admirers from afar. Internationally
regarded as a treasure, the buildings and grounds will be rehabilitated as a civic
campus of public and private activities. Preserving
the H.H. Richardson buildings, creating an Architecture and Visitor Center and
reviving the Olmsted landscape of the original Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane
is more than just saving an historic landmark. Along with Frank Lloyd Wright's
Darwin Martin House and Louis Sullivan's Guaranty Building sets in place the 3-tiered
crown of Buffalo's architectural treasures. It will facilitate and spur tourism,
particularly architectural tourists who spend a great deal more than the average
visitor to the area, thereby generating significant economic spin off to benefit
Buffalo's economy. The
rehabilitation of the National Historic Landmark H. H. Richardson Complex (the
former Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane), comprised of the H. H. Richardson-designed
buildings and Frederick Law Olmsted-designed grounds willbe the crowning jewel
of a mixed-use, multi-purpose civic campus of public and private activities.
By combining contemporary ideas with our 19th century inheritance, we will create
to the highest standards a nationally significant, 21st century, economically
self-sustaining and environmentally sound Richardson Complex as a place for architectural,
educational, cultural, and recreational activities for the benefit of the residents
of and visitors to the Richardson Community, the Museum District, the Elmwood
Village, and the entire Buffalo Niagara Region. Reuse
of the property could include – among other uses - a hotel, conference center,
parking structure, high end condominiums, artist studios, townhouses and academic
space for Buffalo State College.
Perhaps most importantly, the creation of an Architecture and Visitor Center is
already underway. The Center, located in the twin tower building, will support
and encourage architectural tourism.
The 19th century Richardson Complex is a National Historic Landmark. Its reuse
is being powered by $76.5 million in New York State funds that will leverage private
development. The board of the Richardson Center Corporation (RCC) – was
appointed in July, 2006 by then NYS Governor George Pataki. Project
Site
Rehabilitation plans are moving forward for the Richardson Complex (the former
Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane), comprised of the H. H. Richardson-designed
buildings and Frederick Law Olmsted-designed grounds.
The first step is the development of a plan for the buildings and grounds. The
rehabilitation of the Richardson Complex and Olmsted grounds is a long term project
that will require dedication and involvement for years.
The 91 acre rectangular site extends from Elmwood Avenue to Rees Street, and Rockwell
Road to Forest Avenue. To date, approximately 40 acres and the historic buildings
have been designated for this project. The remaining 41 acres are retained by
the Office of Mental Health, primarily for the Buffalo Psychiatric Center to carry
out its mission of services to adults with mental illness. Funding
After years of pressure from preservationists, prominent Buffalonians, and elected
officials, $100 million in funds was dedicated by then NYS Governor George Pataki
to rehabilitate the Richardson Complex. Of the $100 million, some of the funding
was used to complete two other institutions; $16.5 million was used to build the
new Burchfield Penney Art Center and $7 million was allocated to the Frank Lloyd
Wright Darwin Martin House Visitor Center. Of the remaining $76.5 million, $20
million will go towards the Architecture and Visitor Center which will be located
in the Richardson Complex. ULI
Visit and Recommendations
The best reuse of the site is of critical importance to the community and the
Richardson Center Corporation. In order to assist in the process the RCC invited
the Urban Land Institute (ULI) to Buffalo in May, 2007 to study the site, the
neighborhood and our City. ULI provides leadership in the responsible use of land
and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide. The ULI recommendations
provide a “framework” for guiding the community in developing a reuse
plan.
After a week of touring the City and surrounding neighborhoods, intensive evaluation
of the site itself, and interviews with nearly 100 community stakeholders and
regional experts, ULI made recommendations that the Richardson Center Corporation
and the community is considering.
The ULI panel of nine national experts and three ULI staff members met with preservation
and restoration advocates, Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, block clubs, business
association members, economic development professionals, and experts on tourism,
history, and architecture. Regional experts in retail trade, housing and bi-national
relations, and representatives of academia and the mental health community, cultural
organizations, and political representatives all participated in the panel meetings.
The ULI conclusions and final report were positive and hopeful about the reuse
of the buildings and the proposal included an Architecture and Visitor Center,
a hotel conference center, condominiums and the restoration of the landscape. Architecture
and Visitor Center
For the first time, Buffalo will have a Visitor Center which tourists can easily
reach from major highways, right in the heart of the museum district.
Western New York possesses dozens of local architecture and landscape treasures,
not the least of which are Frank Lloyd Wright's Darwin Martin House, Louis Sullivan's
Guaranty Building and Fredrick Law Olmsted's park and boulevard system. This Center
will not only allow tourists to see the awesome Richardson buildings themselves,
it will also display a wing showing how patients lived at the turn of the century.
Information and direction to Western New York's architectural and cultural assets
will be prominently displayed.
The Architecture and Visitors Center will be the first new change at the Richardson
complex. Funding is approved and planning is underway. | 
