Wright Sites

Wright Sites

The Buffalo area is home to several buildings by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959). The Darwin D. Martin House, part of the Darwin D. Martin House Complex in Buffalo's Parkside East Historic District, is considered one of the finest examples of a Wright prairie-style structure. The estate was commissioned in 1902 by Darwin Martin, a wealthy Buffalo businessman who would become one of Wright's most loyal patrons. The first Wright house on the property was the George F. Barton House (at 118 Summit Ave.), built in 1903 for Martin's sister and brother-in-law. The final touches weren't applied to Martin's own house until around 1907. At this writing, the complex is undergoing a multiyear renovation; completion is expected in 2006. Part of the ambitious project includes reconstructing Wright's pergola, conservatory, and carriage house, all of which were demolished in the 1960s. During the work, tours of the complex are available on a limited basis; reservations are required. 125 Jewett Pkwy., Buffalo. 716/856-3858. darwinmartinhouse.org. $10. By appointment

The Martin estate also included the Gardener's Cottage (285 Woodward Ave.) Around the same time, Wright also designed the Walter V. Davidson House (57 Tillinghast Pl.) and the William R. Heath House (72 Soldier's Pl.), both of which are private residences.

The Martins liked their Buffalo home so much that they also commissioned Wright to design their summer estate. The centerpiece of the 8½-acre Graycliff estate is the two-story main house, built circa 1926. Its cantilevered balconies take advantage of its position atop a 70-foot-cliff overlooking Lake Erie. At this writing, the estate is undergoing an extensive multiphase renovation (to continue into fall 2006). Tours are offered infrequently by appointment. The property is about 13 mi south of Buffalo. 6472 Old Lake Shore Rd., Derby. 716/947-9217. graycliff.bfn.org. $18. By appointment

In 1928 Darwin Martin commissioned a family mausoleum—a project he dropped after his fortunes were pummeled by the following year's stock-market crash. Today Buffalo's Forest Lawn cemetery is building (near Delavan Avenue) the concrete-and-granite tomb from plans owned by the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. And there's another Wright-related project in the works in Buffalo. At this writing, the Buffalo Transportation/Pierce-Arrow Museum is building a winged gas station from unfinished Wright plans. A former Wright apprentice is involved with the project, which, once built, won't actually function as a station but will rather complement the museum's collection of cars and automobile memorabilia and artifacts. 263 Michigan Ave., Buffalo. 716/853-0084. www.pierce-arrow.com. $7. Mar.-Dec., Sat. noon-5; and by appointment