Lafayette Square - Table of Contents
Rand Building
14 Lafayette Square, Buffalo, New York
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Built: |
1929 |
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Architects: |
Franklyn & William Kidd; James W Kideney &
Assoc. (Rand House, also designed by the Kidds) |
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Construction firm: |
John W. Cowper Company |
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Style: |
Art Deco skyscraper |
TEXT Beneath Illustrations
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Art Deco style main entrance |
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Cast iron diaper work (S scrolls) in spandrel panels |
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Bas-relief stylized flowers on stringcourse |
Skyscraper vertical offices are the equivalent of a Greek column shaft |
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South and east elevations |
East elevation |
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Looking east |
Main Street, looking south |
The Olympic Movie Theatre was demolished for the Rand Building."The Rank Building on Lafayette Square was Buffalo's tallest building (29 floors) when it was opened in 1929. It was named in honor of George F. Rand, Sr., long-time president and chairman of the board of Marine Bank. It was largely his vision and efforts which led to New York State's first consolidated banking system called Marine Midland Corporation. Marine takes its name from the fact that originally its main customers were largely from the grain and marine trade on the lakes and along the Buffalo River." - David M. Rote, Buffalo's Three Towers of Power
"One of Buffalo's "Skyscrapers" which makes up our Metropolitan skyline. Built in 1929 by the Marine Trust Company of Buffalo, rising 408 feet above street level-including a 40 ft. beacon tower, visible for many miles in all directions. This modern office building houses about 250 offices-among which are the studios of Radio Station WGR and the main offices of Western Union Telegraph Co." - cardcow.com
"The Rand Building has details similar to the Empire State Building, and may have had some influence in the latter building's design." - Emporis.com
