Lafayette Hotel - Table of Contents
Lafayette Hotel - Table of Contents
Description of the Lafayette Hotel
Based on the Nomination as Buffalo Local Landmark (Listed 4/12/79)
By Alison Kimberly
The Lafayette Hotel is an excellent example of the Renaissance Revival Style as it was adapted to commercial
buildings around the turn of the century. The opening of the Lafayette Hotel was
planned to coincide with Buffalo's 1901 Pan American Exposition, but the hotel
was not actually completed until 1904. It was designed by the Buffalo architectural
firm of Bethune, Bethune, and Fuchs; the firm with which the distinguished pioneer
woman architect, Louise Blanchard Bethune, was associated. The Lafayette Hotel reigned
for years as the luxury hotel of the area. In fact, in its heyday, it was considered
to be one of the finest hotels in New York State, including many innovative features
in its design.
The interiors of the hotel were custom designed by Duryea and Potter of New York
City. This firm designed all of the original light fixtures, carpets, and draperies.
The carriage entrance was on Washington Street where the frontage was 122 feet, with
147 feet on Clinton Street. The original lobby was 72 by 84 feet, and was finished
in Numidian marble and Mahogany. There was a telephone in every room as well as hot
and cold water, and a bath between two rooms.
Additions: In 1908, only four years after opening, the Lafayette management bought the lot in
back of the original structure on Clinton Street and extending 250 feet on Ellicott
Street, a site larger than that of the old French Church [photo] first bought
for the Lafayette. The hotel was then doubled in size in 1912. Shortly after, the
heating and power plant was moved to a separate building on the Ellicott Street side.
The ballroom
was added in 1916. The third addition was made to the Lafayette in
1925, when a lot was purchased south of the hotel, giving fifty
additional feet on Washington Street. The ground floor of this addition
was originally used as a billiard room, but in 1934 the space was
remodeled into a taproom. Modernization of the lobby began in 1941,
which made possible the addition of a modern drugstore, a gift shop,
and a travel bureau. In 1952, preparatory to the renovation of the
guest rooms, modern windows were installed throughout the hotel.
Louise Blanchard Bethune was America's first professional woman architect.
At age twenty she received an offer from an office as a draftsman with the Buffalo
firm of Richard A. Waite. For five years between 1876 and 1881, she continued as
Waite's student and assistant, spending part of the time also with architect
F.W. Caulkins of Buffalo. The apprenticeship was productive, for Louise Blanchard
not only mastered the techniques of drafting and the art of architectural design,
but met her future husband, Robert Armour Bethune, in Waite's office. Bethune
came from Canada and had begun his work as a draftsman with Detroit's pioneer
architect Gordon Lloyd before venturing to Buffalo. They soon decided to get married.
In October 1881 they opened the Architectural firm of Bethune and Bethune. In 1888
Louise Bethune was admitted to the American Institute of Architects as the first
woman associate. As early as 1890, with the admission of the architect, William L.
Fuchs, to the firm, Louise had indulged in a semi-retirement; continuing as more
or less a silent partner in the concern now known as Bethune, Bethune and Fuchs.
In 1898 they were invited to plan the 225 room Hotel Lafayette that would, it was
hoped, house visitors to the Pan-American Exposition of 1901 in Buffalo.
In 1969, the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society placed a marker on the hotel
recognizing the fact that Quota International was founded on the site in 1919. Wanda
Frey Joiner, a local businesswoman, was responsible for this trendsetting organization
of executive women which has flourished since its founding. The Lafayette Hotel was
always a popular meeting place. In its time, the Lafayette counted several notable
statesmen among its guests.
ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES
web site consulting by ingenious, inc.
