Ellicott Square Building

Ellicott Square Building. The Ellicott Square Building is a historic building located in Buffalo, New York, and was designed by renowned architect Charles B. Atwood, who also worked on the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois. The building was completed in 1896 and features a unique blend of Romanesque Revival architecture and Chicago School (architecture) styles, similar to the Reliance Building in Chicago, Illinois, designed by John Root and Daniel Burnham. The building's design was influenced by the works of Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright, and its construction was overseen by the Norcross Brothers company, which also worked on the Boston Public Library.

● History

The Ellicott Square Building was constructed during a period of significant growth and development in Buffalo, New York, which was driven by the city's strategic location on the Great Lakes and its proximity to the Erie Canal. The building was named after Joseph Ellicott, a surveyor who played a key role in the development of Buffalo, New York, and was also involved in the planning of Washington, D.C. with Pierre Charles L'Enfant. The building's history is closely tied to the city's industrial and commercial past, and it has been home to a variety of businesses and organizations over the years, including the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library and the United States District Court for the Western District of New York. The building has also been associated with notable figures such as Grover Cleveland, who served as the 22nd President of the United States and was a native of Caldwell, New Jersey, and Millard Fillmore, who served as the 13th President of the United States and was a resident of Buffalo, New York.

● Architecture

The Ellicott Square Building is a notable example of Romanesque Revival architecture in the United States, and its design was influenced by the works of Henry Hobson Richardson, who designed the Trinity Church (Boston) in Boston, Massachusetts. The building's architecture is characterized by its use of rusticated stone, rounded arches, and a distinctive clock tower, which is similar to the one found on the City Hall (Buffalo, New York) building, designed by George J. Dietel. The building's design has been compared to other notable examples of Romanesque Revival architecture, such as the Boston Public Library and the University of Chicago's Harper Memorial Library, designed by Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge. The building's architecture has also been influenced by the works of Frank Furness, who designed the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

● Designation

The Ellicott Square Building was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1973, and is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building has been recognized for its historical and architectural significance, and has been the subject of numerous preservation efforts over the years, including a major restoration project undertaken by the National Park Service and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. The building's designation has been supported by organizations such as the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the American Institute of Architects, which have recognized the building's importance as a cultural and historical landmark. The building has also been associated with notable preservationists such as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who played a key role in the preservation of Grand Central Terminal in New York City.

● Features

The Ellicott Square Building features a unique blend of architectural styles, including Romanesque Revival architecture and Chicago School (architecture) styles. The building's interior features a large atrium, which is surrounded by a balcony and is topped by a skylight, similar to the one found in the Woolworth Building in New York City, designed by Cass Gilbert. The building's features have been compared to other notable examples of commercial architecture, such as the Reliance Building in Chicago, Illinois, and the Fisher Building in Detroit, Michigan, designed by Joseph Urban. The building's features have also been influenced by the works of Daniel Burnham, who designed the Flatiron Building in New York City.

● Renovations

The Ellicott Square Building has undergone several renovations and restorations over the years, including a major restoration project undertaken in the 1980s by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and the National Park Service. The building's renovations have been supported by organizations such as the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the American Institute of Architects, which have recognized the building's importance as a cultural and historical landmark. The building's renovations have also been influenced by the works of notable architects such as I.M. Pei, who designed the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, and Frank Gehry, who designed the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Bilbao, Spain. The building's renovations have been undertaken with the goal of preserving its historical and architectural significance, while also ensuring its continued use as a commercial and cultural center in Buffalo, New York. Category:Buildings and structures in Buffalo, New York