Richardson Olmsted Campus

Master Plan Phases 1 + 2

Client

  • Richardson Center Corporation

Team

  • Chan Krieger Sieniewicz
  • CityVisions Associates
  • University at Buffalo Urban Design Project
  • Reed Hilderbrand
  • Clarion Associates
  • Parsons Brinckerhoff
  • Bero Architecture
  • Baer & Associates

Work completed or initiated at Chan Krieger Sieniewicz.
Awards
  • 2018 Richard H. Driehaus Foundation National Preservation Award
  • 2017 American Planning Association Upstate NY Chapter, Best Practice
  • 2017 Preservation Buffalo Niagara, Neighborhood Conservation
  • 2017 New York State, Historic Preservation Award

The Challenge

The 19th century Richardson Olmsted Complex – the former Buffalo Asylum for the Insane – is a National Historic Landmark. It was also a ruin. The complex had nearly 500,000sf of vacant space and was rapidly deteriorating. The interior spatial configuration of the main complex challenged traditional reuse scenarios.

OUR RESPONSE

The plan stabilizes the iconic central tower and identifies core uses (hotel, conference and event center, architectural center) to be initial catalysts, anticipating housing expansion.

The Results

Following four years of stabilization and reconstruction, the initial 180,000sf Hotel and Conference Center opened in 2017, successfully rehabilitating the first three buildings.

North side before renovation

Site Plan