A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
From the Photo series: A Closer Look: Explore Western New York’s architectural treasures series
A visual tour of Ellicott Square, which comprises the city block between Main Street and Washington Street. It was the largest office building in the world when it was completed in 1896.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
The Main Street entrance to the Ellicott Square. The building was opened on May 30, 1896, only one year after it was conceived. It cost $3.5 million to build. The exterior construction is granite, iron and terra-cotta. The Terra-cotta has been painted white.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
The elaborate exterior of Ellicott Square, a 10-story Italian Renaissance-style office building. The Ellicott Company commissioned architect Daniel H. Burnham of Chicago in 1895 to design what they referred to as an "office block" in downtown Buffalo. The building is 144 feet tall.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
A view of the Ellicott Square Building's signature lobby. Ellicott Square is similar to an earlier building constructed by Daniel H. Burnham in Chicago. The Rookery Building was built in 1886, both are constructed around an interior court with glass-covered concourse.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
A maintenance man walks past the mosaic tile floor in the lobby of the Ellicott Square Building.The lobby and entryways feature rare mosaic and marble tiles. It is estimated that 23 million pieces of imported Italian marble were used throughout the common areas of the building.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
One of several elaborately embossed brass elevators in the Ellicott Square Building. In total there are 15 hydraulic passenger, one hydraulic freight, and four sidewalk lifts all made by Otis Bros. & Co. The elevators display an elaborate narrative of the industry and people of Buffalo
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
The elaborate iron and glass ceiling of the Ellicott Square Building lobby. The building was named for Joseph Ellicott, who laid out the street plan of "New Amsterdam" later named Buffalo.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
One of two symmetrical grand staircases in the lobby of Ellicott Square Building, often used for weddings and events.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
Elaborate sculptures on the facade of the Ellicott Square Building. At one time there were 40 lion heads on the exterior of the building as well. They were removed in the 1970s.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
The eastern entrance to the Ellicott Square Building.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
The orb above the Main Street entrance to the Ellicott Square Building.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
The western entrance to the Ellicott Square Building.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
Detail of the elaborate sculptures on the facade of the Ellicott Square Building. Above the sculpture are examples of egg and dart molding as well as dental molding.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
Detail of the elaborate sculptures on the facade of the Ellicott Square Building. Cherubs over the initial E.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
The ornate chandelier in the Ellicott Square Building lobby.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
The eastern entrance to the Ellicott Square Building.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
Detail of the glass panes in the ceiling of the Ellicott Square Building lobby.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
Details on the brass elevators of the Ellicott Square Building. Depicts the founding and building of Buffalo.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
Detail of a brass elevator on the first floor of Ellicott Square Building.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
A detail depicting transportation on one of the brass elevators on the first floor of Ellicott Square Building.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
Detail of a brass elevator on the first floor of Ellicott Square Building depicting shipping.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
Detail of a brass elevator on the first floor of Ellicott Square Building.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
Detail of a brass elevator on the first floor of Ellicott Square Building depicts a worker.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
Detail of a brass elevator on the first floor of Ellicott Square Building.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
Detail of a brass elevator on the first floor of Ellicott Square Building.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
A stand for the elevator buttons on the third floor of the Ellicott Square Building.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
Detail of the glass panes on the ceiling of the Ellicott Square Building lobby.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
Detail of the glass panes in the ceiling of the Ellicott Square Building lobby.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
The iron rail surrounding the mezzanine in the Ellicott Square Building.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
The mosaic tile floor in the Ellicott Square Building. The interior court floor was designed by William Winthrop Kent, of New York City.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
The ornate chandelier in the Ellicott Square Building lobby.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
Detail of buttresses in the ceiling of the Ellicott Square Building lobby.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
Detail of the elaborate molding and shield ornaments on the facade of the Ellicott Square Building.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
Detail of the elaborate sculptures on the facade of the Ellicott Square Building.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
Detail of the elaborate sculptures on the facade of the Ellicott Square Building.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
Detail of the elaborate sculptures on the facade of the Ellicott Square Building.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
Detail of the elaborate sculptures on the facade of the Ellicott Square Building.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
Detail of the elaborate sculptures on the facade of the Ellicott Square Building.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
Detail of the elaborate sculptures on the facade of the Ellicott Square Building.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
Detail of the elaborate sculptures on the facade of the Ellicott Square Building.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
Detail of the elaborate sculptures on the facade of the Ellicott Square Building. The exterior construction is granite, iron and terra-cotta. In the 1970's many of the terra-cotta cornices were removed and the remaining terra-cotta was painted grey or white
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
Detail of the elaborate sculptures on the facade of the Ellicott Square Building.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
Detail of the elaborate sculptures on the facade of the Ellicott Square Building.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
Detail of the elaborate sculptures on the facade of the Ellicott Square Building.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
The glass and iron roof of the main lobby in the Ellicott Square Building. The glass roof is framed by an ornamental steel frame, which provides natural light to the ornate courtyard.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
Detail of the iron decoration at the top of the stairs in the lobby of the Ellicott Square Building. The building features ornate stone columns and ornamental steel frames, carefully blended with marble and brass.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
Detail of a brass elevator on the first floor of Ellicott Square Building.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
Detail of a brass elevator on the first floor of Ellicott Square Building.
A Closer Look: Ellicott Square Building
The Ellicott Square Building.
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…
