c. 1935 Image source: private collection
When Buffalo's new City Hall opened in 1931, new panoramic views of the city became possible. The above is looking toward Shelton Square, the busy heart of the downtown business/entertainment district. 19th century grande dames such as the old Iroquois Hotel (reborn as the Gerrans Building) and the 1895 D.S. Morgan Building (designed by E.B Green & Son) were beginning to be challenged by the 1924 Buffalo Athletic Center (also E.B. Green & Son). |
c. 1955 Nirenstein map. Image source: private collection
In this reverse angle image, one can see the original configuration of the streets radiating from Niagara Square. Nearly out of the above image (upper right) is the wedge of Niagara Square that was transformed in 1936 by construction of the federal courthouse (later named after Michael Dillon); it was designed in part by E.B. Green & Son. |
1978. Image source: private collection
The view has changed dramatically by 1978. The Gerrans Building was demolished in 1941 and its replacement also demolished in the early 1960's for construction of 1 M&T Plaza. The stores along Main Street and the Erie County Savings Bank were demolished in 1967 for the Main Place Mall, which also blocked Niagara Street from intersecting with Main. The D.S. Morgan Building and the rest of that block were demolished for construction of the 1969 Erie County Rath Building. |
2009
In 2001, the new Family Court Building was completed at the corner of Franklin and Niagara Street. It was designed by Foit-Albert Associates; its trapezoidal design utilized the available land in the same way as the design of Michael Dillion U.S. Courthouse (visible lower left) had in 1936. |