Hotel Lafayette, hotel in Buffalo, New York
Hotel Lafayette is a seven-story building in Buffalo designed in Renaissance Revival style with ornate stonework and arched windows throughout its exterior. Inside, a marble and dark-wood lobby welcomes guests, and the original rooms featured telephones, hot and cold water, and bathrooms, which were considered luxurious amenities at the time.
The building was constructed around 1904 to serve visitors attending the Pan-American Exposition, a major fair held in Buffalo. It was designed by local architects including Louise Bethune, who became the first woman member of the American Institute of Architects, marking an important milestone in architecture history.
The hotel is named after the French Marquis de Lafayette, a key supporter of American independence, reflecting the city's admiration for historical figures and international connections during its growth period. This naming choice shows how Buffalo's business leaders looked outward to honor global influences.
The hotel is located at Washington and Clinton Streets near downtown Buffalo, making it easily accessible. While the building underwent modern updates in the 1940s and 1950s to guest rooms and windows, the original architectural details remain visible for visitors to appreciate.
The original rooms featured shared bathrooms between pairs of guest rooms, which was considered a luxury feature at the time despite not being private. This detail reveals how standards for comfort changed over the decades and what guests considered premium accommodations during that era.
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