Prudential Building

The Prudential Building is a 13-story office tower in downtown Buffalo with a reddish-brown terra cotta facade. The structure uses a steel frame and combines geometric shapes with organic patterns across its surface.

The building was completed in 1896 by architects Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler and demonstrated advanced steel-frame construction methods for its era. It embodied new approaches to designing tall structures in contemporary architectural practice.

The terra cotta facade displays natural patterns and floral ornaments that decorate the spaces between windows and columns. Visitors can observe the craftsmanship embedded in each decorative element across the exterior.

The building sits on Church Street and functions as a working office building visible and accessible from the street. Visitors can view the lobby interior and observe the design, though it remains an active workplace.

The terra cotta ornaments were designed with botanical inspiration and display detailed floral motifs from ground to roof. These natural patterns were Sullivan's distinctive response to creating functional tall buildings.

Location: Buffalo

Inception: 1890s

Architects: Louis Sullivan, Dankmar Adler

Floors above the ground: 13

Height: 51 m

Address: 30 Church Street

GPS coordinates: 42.88276,-78.87674

Latest update: December 7, 2025 10:01