A Closer Look: Richardson Olmsted Complex
From the Photo series: A Closer Look: Explore Western New York’s architectural treasures series
The Richardson Olmsted Complex is nearing the home stretch of a massive restoration project which will bring new life to the historic campus with the new Hotel Henry and the new Buffalo Architecture Center. Three of the 11 buildings of the former Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane are being used.
A Closer Look: Richardson Olmsted Complex
The north entrance to the Richardson Olmsted Complex.
A Closer Look: Richardson Olmsted Complex
The new modern glass addition to the north entrance.
A Closer Look: Richardson Olmsted Complex
The entrance to the main gallery space in the architecture center.
A Closer Look: Richardson Olmsted Complex
A row of chandeliers lines the corridor of the Hotel Henry.
A Closer Look: Richardson Olmsted Complex
A stairwell in the Richardson Olmsted Complex.
A Closer Look: Richardson Olmsted Complex
New modern rails surround an original stairway which ends here at a dead end, a remnant of earlier renovation in which the location of the main stairway was moved. This original section was left behind, creating an interesting space that Hotel Henry will likely turn into a lounge area.
A Closer Look: Richardson Olmsted Complex
A corridor inside Hotel Henry.
A Closer Look: Richardson Olmsted Complex
A new chandelier hangs beneath ornate plaster molding at the Richardson Olmsted Complex.
A Closer Look: Richardson Olmsted Complex
A corridor in Hotel Henry.
A Closer Look: Richardson Olmsted Complex
The ballroom on the fourth floor.
A Closer Look: Richardson Olmsted Complex
The exposed wooden beams are a dominant feature of the suite level corridor at Hotel Henry.
A Closer Look: Richardson Olmsted Complex
Detail of the massive iron rods, bolts and braces holding up the exposed wooden beams, which are a dominant feature of the suite level corridor at Hotel Henry.
A Closer Look: Richardson Olmsted Complex
A connector hallway between buildings at the Richardson Olmsted Complex.
A Closer Look: Richardson Olmsted Complex
View looking west-southwest from the eastern tower. The towers, which are off-limits to the public, were decorative by design, but now house much of the building's mechanical systems.
A Closer Look: Richardson Olmsted Complex
The view west toward the western tower through one of the lattice windows in the eastern tower.
A Closer Look: Richardson Olmsted Complex
View looking west from the eastern tower.
A Closer Look: Richardson Olmsted Complex
Sunlight shines through one of the ornate windows in the tower.
A Closer Look: Richardson Olmsted Complex
Pieces of the original clay roof remain in a storage area.
A Closer Look: Richardson Olmsted Complex
View toward the new entrance on the north side of the Richardson Olmsted Complex.
A Closer Look: Richardson Olmsted Complex
The north entrance to the Richardson Olmsted Complex.
A Closer Look: Richardson Olmsted Complex
Detail of a brass window lock.
A Closer Look: Richardson Olmsted Complex
View of the eastern wing of the Richardson Olmsted Complex.
A Closer Look: Richardson Olmsted Complex
Sunlight shines into a space inside the Richardson Olmsted Complex.
A Closer Look: Richardson Olmsted Complex
In the basement, where a railroad once helped move supplies throughout the sprawling campus, corridors are now filled with miles of pipes, ducts and conduits.
A Closer Look: Richardson Olmsted Complex
Detail of a stairway at the Richardson Olmsted Complex.
A Closer Look: Richardson Olmsted Complex
Detail of a carving in the fireplace of corridor inside Hotel Henry.
A Closer Look: Richardson Olmsted Complex
Detail of a fireplace in corridor at Hotel Henry.
A Closer Look: Richardson Olmsted Complex
Detail of a corridor inside Hotel Henry. Rounded edges like these indicate original work and additions from the renovation have squared edges to differentiate the periods.
A Closer Look: Richardson Olmsted Complex
Detail of a door hinge.
A Closer Look: Richardson Olmsted Complex
A row of chandeliers lines the corridor of Hotel Henry.
A Closer Look: Richardson Olmsted Complex
Zach Kernen of Jens Glass Company in Hamburg puts the final touches on newly restored window panes.
A Closer Look: Richardson Olmsted Complex
The new main entrance to the Richardson Olmsted Complex.
A Closer Look: Richardson Olmsted Complex
A staircase inside the new glass atrium at the main entrance to the Richardson Olmsted Complex.
A Closer Look: Richardson Olmsted Complex
The masonry walls exhibit a patina from years of settling and patching in the architecture center.
A Closer Look: Richardson Olmsted Complex
Original arched doors have been restored and reused in the architecture center.
A Closer Look: Richardson Olmsted Complex
The north entrance to the Richardson Olmsted Complex.
A Closer Look: Richardson Olmsted Complex
View looking southwest from the tower of the Richardson Olmsted Complex.
In this Series
Photo series: A Closer Look: Explore Western New York’s architectural treasures
This series has taken Buffalo News photographers inside, outside, above and, on occasion, underneath local landmarks and to places most people…
