Richardson Hotel- Buffalo, NY

In the mid 1800s, Dr. Thomas Story Kirkbride introduced the novel idea that pleasant surroundings could aide in the treatment of the mentally ill. He envisioned beautifully landscaped campuses, with thoughtfully designed, attractive buildings. While the hospitals proved to be less than effective, his formula works perfectly for hotels- the new use for the Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane, now known as the Richardson Hotel.

From 1845 to 1910, 73 Kirkbride hospitals were built throughout the United States; Buffalo’s sprawling campus dates to 1870, with Henry Hobson Richardson himself designing the Romanesque buildings, and Frederick Law Olmstead laying out the grounds. The result was a very architecturally impressive medical facility, consisting of a central building flanked by wings, surrounded by a green oasis.

By the mid 20th century, Kirkbride campuses were considered obsolete, and too expensive to maintain. Most were closed, leaving the shuttered hulks to slowly deteriorate. Fortunately, their architectural integrity kept many from being demolished. Silently they slumbered, waiting for reuse projects to emerge.

In this instance, a group of Buffalo preservationists sued the state in the early 2000s, forcing a rehabilitation of the old hospital campus. While it took almost 15 years, a lovely hotel emerged, to great fanfare. Featured in many preservation magazines, it was considered a smashing success. Until the pandemic shuttered the site. Fortunately, in 2023 a new owner took over the property, which reopened as the Richardson Hotel.

I will save an overview of the hotel until I actually stay there. However, I did visit their speakeasy and restaurant, and was absolutely impressed with the transformation. While there is still work to be completed, what has been done to date is amazing, and gives you just one more reason to visit Buffalo.