Schumer Unveils Reconstructed Buildings Within the Martin House Complex in Buffalo

Schumer Unveils Reconstructed Buildings Within The Martin House Complex In Buffalo

National Historic Landmark Designed By Frank Lloyd Wright Has Been Restored To Its Original 1907 Condition

Schumer: The Restoration Of The Martin House Complex Not Only Represents The Resurgence Of Buffalo's Architectural History, But An Investment In Our Economic Future

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today stood with Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Governor George Pataki, and local and state dignitaries to unveil the reconstructed buildings of the Darwin D. Martin House Complex in Buffalo. The Martin House is a National Historic Landmark designed in 1903 by world renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright. In June, Schumer was successful in preliminarily securing $150,000 for the Barton House, part of the Martin House Complex, which will be included in the next phases of the Martin House Complex reconstruction project.

"More than one hundred years ago, Frank Lloyd Wright designed these beautiful buildings to be the center piece of Buffalo," Schumer said. "At the time, they represented a quantum leap in architectural design. Now, we are here to mark the first ever reconstruction of a Frank Lloyd Wright building. We are proud to say this historic artistic endeavor took place right here in Buffalo. Today is a testament to what can be achieved when we all come together - businesses, federal, state, local government, and the art community - to make Buffalo better."

Buffalo has a rich architectural history and tradition that has come back to life in buildings across the region, and the Martin House Complex is part of Buffalo's historical heritage. For the first time in more that 50 years, the Martin House Complex has completed the first phase of renovations to restore it to the1907 condition. Three of the newly reconstructed buildings include Wright's 100 foot long Pergola, the glass-roofed Conservatory, the two-story Carriage House and Stable, and Martin's greenhouse. Future restoration phases will consist of work on the main Martin House exterior and interior, including restoration and replication of its furnishings, and additional work on the Barton House, another Wright designed Prairie House on the Complex. The Martin House Complex is the largest Frank Lloyd Wright Prairie House in existence, future restoration will continue to all seven buildings.

This June, Schumer was successful in preliminarily securing $150,000 for the Barton House, part of the Martin House Complex, in the Senate Interior Appropriations Bill. The full senate will address this legislation later this year. The Barton House was designed by Wright for the sister of Buffalo's Larkin Company Executive Darwin D. Martin, Delta and her husband George Barton. The 4,500 square foot house is part of the Martin House Complex and reflects the great architect's belief in a total design that integrates the building's architecture, interior spaces, furnishings and relationship to other structures on the site. Barton House is seen as one of Wright's early attempts to ‘break the box' and is arguably evidence of his developing genius. It has become a significant piece of local history and architecture. Forthcoming phases of the restoration project renovations will include interior and exterior repairs, the installation of updated materials, and restoration of the main rooms of the Barton House that visitors frequently visit on their site tours.

"The restoration of these buildings not only represents the resurgence of Buffalo's architectural history, but an investment in our economic future. Visitors are going to come from far and wide to enjoy this beautiful Complex, and that means tourism, commerce, jobs, and growth. There is no question that this restoration project has been and will be a win, win, win for Buffalo and all of upstate New York. This is a giant step forward for Buffalo, but it is not the last step. We are going to see this project to completion to ensure that the revitalization of this entire region only continues to accelerate," Schumer added.

http://schumer.senate.gov/SchumerWebsite/pressroom/record.cfm?id=264493&&year=2006&