H. H. Richardson Complex

The H. H. Richardson Complex is a former psychiatric facility with 38 structures on a wide campus in Buffalo. The structures display thick walls of red sandstone, heavy towers, and rounded arch windows in the Romanesque manner.

Building started in 1871 following plans by architect Henry Hobson Richardson and opened in 1880 as a state asylum for the mentally ill. The site served as a medical institution for over a century before being adapted for new purposes in the 21st century.

The campus combines its early purpose as a healing facility with new roles as a meeting place and lodging. The warm tones of Medina sandstone and rounded archways still define how the grounds appear today.

The grounds lie between Forest Avenue and Rockwell Road on Buffalo's north side and are easy to reach by car or public transit. Guided walks through the buildings are offered regularly, and exploring the wide campus calls for comfortable shoes.

The layout of the pavilions follows the Kirkbride Plan, where wings radiate from the main building so each room receives daylight and fresh air. The design was part of a reform movement that saw architecture as a healing element.

Location: Buffalo

Inception: 1870

Architects: Henry Hobson Richardson

Architectural style: Richardsonian Romanesque

Website: http://richardson-olmsted.com

GPS coordinates: 42.92940,-78.88210

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:26