It was not long ago that
these buildings were threatened with demolition in the later years of urban
renewal. Thankfully, the right people got together in 1981 and they were
declared a local landmark. Then in 1985 the buildings were listed on the
National Register of Historic Places. They were saved from the wrecking ball,
rehabilitated, and re-inhabited. The set at 17 to 21 Emerson Place were not so
lucky and were eventually demolished. The row houses on Woodlawn Avenue just
around the block were the victims of arson and subsequent demolition just a few
years ago.
Unfortunately, that’s about the last time this east side treasure saw investment. The row houses could use a sprucing up and they just may be getting it if the right buyer is lined up.
The entire set is being
offered for sale for just
over $195,000 via Realty USA, which is a bargain considering the potential
return on investment. Since the buildings are already listed on the National
Register, the future owner/developer of the property could pursue historic tax
credits and give these buildings the rehabilitation they deserve. The tax
credits would substantially offset the cost of retaining and repairing original
features and finishes, repairing or replacement in-kind of the wood windows, and
the interior rehabilitation.
The following comes from the National Register of Historic Places nomination from 1985.
“The two seven-unit buildings
were built in 1893 in an eclectic style incorporating Colonial Revival, Shingle
Style, and Eastlake features. The two identical fourteen-bay buildings have
flat roofs with projecting molded denticulated cornices, vertical board
friezes, with sawtooth ends, and decorative shingle sheathing. Each building rests on a
stone foundation. The facades are distinguished by seven two-story bow windows
each of which originally contained five narrow, elongated sash with transoms.
Between the bow windows on the second floor are boarded over one-over-one double
hung sash; on the first floor are entrances, also boarded, with sidelights and
transoms. The molded entrance surrounds feature an Eastlake style scroll plinth
and detailing.
Sawtooth shingles form a flared skirt above the denticulated, vertical board stringcourse marking the second floor. The entrance porches retain their denticulated cornices and scroll supports although the original posts and wooden steps were replaced in the 1970s. The end elevations have boarded over two-story bow windows and one-over-one double hung sash.
The interior room
arrangement of each unit generally consists of, from front to rear; living
room, dining room, kitchen with side hall and entrance. The second floor has
bedrooms and a bath. The only surviving interior features include some period
hardware, woodwork, and stairways. The row is currently vacant and in a state
of disrepair although it retains the majority of its original architectural
details.
The row at #33-41 Emerson Place is architecturally and historically significant as one of a rare surviving group of speculative multi-unit frame residences designed to resemble rowhouses in the City of Buffalo. The row is one of only four intact groups of similar housing remaining in the Masten neighborhood of north central Buffalo, the only area in the city where frame multi-unit rows were built in any concentration.
The Emerson Place row is one
of only two surviving rows (see #17-21 Emerson Place) that have been documented
as being built by the Rice family, land dealers and developers largely
responsible for the construction of rows in the Masten neighborhood from 1880
to 1910.
 |
| 1985 from the National Register nomination |
Built in 1893 by Benjamin B.
Rice, the row is one of two (see #17-21 Emerson Place) remaining along the
south side of the street, forming the most intact surviving period streetscape in
the neighborhood. The row, which is composed of two seven-unit buildings, is
architecturally significant as a fine example of eclectic design, featuring
decorative shingle sheathing and two-story bow windows.
 |
| 1985 from the National Register nomination |
The Emerson Place row
remains as one of the most intact examples of its type and period; it
illustrates a distinctive architectural response to the issue of designing
standardized urban housing and recalls an important aspect in the late
nineteenth century residential growth and development of the Masten
neighborhood.”
To see more current photos of the row houses on
Emerson Place and additional photos from 1985 National Register nomination, check
out the photos on Flickr here.
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