Harlow C. Curtiss Building

The Harlow C. Curtiss Building sits at the intersection of Franklin and West Huron Street and features extensive terra cotta decorative elements across its facade. Today it houses the Curtiss Hotel with 68 guest rooms and a ground-floor restaurant that includes a revolving bar.

Built between 1912 and 1913 by architect Paul F. Mann, the structure replaced earlier homes that had stood on this site since 1880 when the Curtiss family owned the property. This construction marked the shift of the area toward modern commercial buildings.

The building reflects early 20th-century American commercial design, incorporating ideas from Chicago architects Daniel Burnham and Louis Sullivan that shaped how it looks and feels. You can see these influences in the ornamental details and overall form when you walk past it.

The building is located at a prominent street corner in the downtown area, making it easy to spot and access. You can enter the hotel to explore the interior and restaurant, where you can see the architectural details and special features up close.

This site housed Buffalo's first urban hot springs and Roman bath facility, bringing modern wellness amenities into the historic structure. The combination of historic architecture with these specialized bathing facilities created an unusual blend of old and new.

Location: New York

Architectural style: Renaissance Revival architecture

GPS coordinates: 42.88930,-78.87590

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:01