The Erie County Savings Bank Building, once a prominent landmark in downtown Buffalo NY, stood as a testament to the city’s prosperity and architectural ambition during the late 19th century. Constructed between 1890 and 1893, this grand edifice served as the headquarters for the Erie County Savings Bank until its demolition in 1968. Its history is intertwined with Buffalo’s urban development and the changing landscape of architectural tastes.
The Erie County Savings Bank, seeking a headquarters befitting its stature, held a competition that attracted 24 architects. The winning design came from the esteemed architect George B. Post, who also designed the iconic Buffalo Statler Towers. Post envisioned a ten-story structure in the Richardsonian Romanesque style, a popular architectural movement of the era characterized by its robust forms, round arches, and rusticated stonework.
The building’s construction was a significant undertaking, costing a substantial $1 million, entirely funded by the bank’s profits. Pink granite sourced from Jonesboro, Maine, formed the exterior, with ashlar masonry walls backed by brick. While the exterior walls were load-bearing, the building ingeniously incorporated an interior steel frame, a modern engineering marvel for its time. Thomas A. Edison himself served as the consulting engineer for the electrical installation, highlighting the building’s forward-thinking design.
The Richardsonian Romanesque style was evident in every detail. Heavy, rusticated blocks of pink granite created a sense of solidity and permanence. Round-arched windows and doorways, often deeply recessed, were characteristic of the style. Turrets and delicate carvings added ornamental flair to the formidable structure. Notably, the main entrance on Niagara Street featured a grand round compound archway, above which a balustrade flanked by bronze lion statues stood guard. These lions, along with other granite remnants, were later saved and are now located on the Buffalo State College campus, serving as tangible links to the lost architectural treasure.
Inside, the bank’s opulence matched its exterior grandeur. Travertine, marble, and Mexican mahogany adorned the walls. A marble staircase, embellished with bronze balustrades, ascended through nine stories. The banking floor boasted a gold-leaf ceiling, further underscoring the institution’s wealth and prestige.
For over seven decades, the Erie County Savings Bank Building was a vital part of Buffalo’s downtown core. Situated on Shelton Square, it stood alongside other significant structures like the Prudential Building, the Ellicott Square Building, and St. Paul’s Cathedral, forming a nexus of commercial and civic life. Generations of Buffalonians passed through its doors, depositing their savings and conducting their financial affairs within its stately halls. The building was more than just a bank; it was a symbol of stability and a cherished landmark in the city’s collective memory.
Despite its architectural significance and prominent place in Buffalo’s history, the Erie County Savings Bank Building fell victim to the urban renewal movement of the 1960s. The prevailing sentiment favored modernization and efficiency, often at the expense of older, ornate structures. In 1968, the “castle” was demolished, along with several adjacent buildings, to make way for the Main Place Tower, which would house the bank’s new headquarters.
The demolition of the Erie County Savings Bank Building was a deeply lamented loss for many Buffalonians who appreciated its architectural beauty and historical significance. Its disappearance marked a turning point in the city’s urban fabric, a moment when progress seemingly overshadowed preservation.
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