Postmodern Downtown Architecture

Upcoming Dates:

Our outdoor downtown tours will return for a new season in spring 2018 – check out our winter Inside Downtown North or Inside Downtown South tours – and  sign up for our email newsletter for schedule updates!

COST:

General Admission: $15
Student Admission: $5
Explorer Pass Holders: FREE

RESERVE YOUR TOUR NOW!

Locals and visitors usually fall in love with Buffalo’s highly decorated buildings such as the Guaranty Building (1896), City Hall (1931) and, of course, churches. These same people often find Modern architecture like City Court (1974) and Main Place Mall (1969) bland and boring by comparison.

In reaction to Modern architecture, from the mid-1970s to the end of the twentieth century, there was a return to color and ornament in new buildings including the Buffalo Bisons Stadium, the Buffalo Savings Bank Annex, and the Flickinger Athletic Center. This style is known as Postmodern and this tour will focus on the ornamentation and color in a number of those and other Postmodern buildings, including Lafayette Court, Key Center at Fountain Plaza, and City Centre skyscrapers.

This tour meets at the Western New York Book Arts Center at 468 Washington Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, at the corner of Washington and Mohawk Streets. Two-hour metered parking is available on surrounding streets, and the Mohawk Parking Ramp is on the opposite corner. The Lafayette Square Station of the Metro Rail is around the corner on Main Street.

TOUR DETAILS:

  • Advance reservations are encouraged but not required for this tour.
    • All credit card payments must be made in advance.  Advance reservations with a credit card can be made online until the tour starting time. Cash or checks are accepted at the start of the tour.
    • If you make an advance reservation, please print your confirmation email, or be prepared to show it on your phone.
  • This tour is between ninety minutes and two hours in length.
  • Please wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather – the tour will proceed rain or shine.
  • Cameras are encouraged!