This little house on the (urban) prairie caught my attention two years ago when I first started blogging and climbing through broken windows here in this little corner of Masten. Harwood Place is north of Ferry Street and just a few hundred feet from the Canisius College Kessler Center off Jefferson. Click on this map and you will see Harwood Place's proximity to Hamlin Park, the East Side's most stable neighborhood - where Buffalo's Mayor, Byron Brown lives.
On Saturday, Eva Hassett shared with me her deep appreciation for some of the little gems here on the City's East Side - Coe Place & Ada Place - including 16 Harwood Place, this little house on the (urban) prairie. I just had to take another look. So, Tuesday afternoon I pedaled over to Harwood Place and grabbed these pics...
click image to enlarge
A quick check of City Records indicates that the City of Buffalo has owned this architectural treasure since July of 1997 and of course you wouldn't know as there is no 'for-sale' sign in sight! The adjoining lots at 12 and 20 Harwood are vacant and owned by the City, too. Right across the street is 23 Harwood - all boarded up.
click image to enlarge
Now, for the urban soul looking for an extraordinary opportunity to participate in the revitalization of the City's near East Side...come on over and take a look. You're on the major transit line - subway stop two blocks away at Delevan & Main - Tops Market just down the avenue and across from the new Merriweather Library. Come on over and take a closer look...you know, deep down, that we really live in one Buffalo...not two!
update... Gabe just sent me this shot...
That house is a beauty! It looks older than anything else in the neighborhood. I'm guessing it was built as a farmhouse back when the area was still mostly rural. I'm thinking 1860s-1870s. Ironically the land around the house has reverted to a historically accurate state...
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Artspace Archive • Annals of Neglect • BAVPA • Where is Perrysburg? • Broken Promises...
Writing the City • Woodlawn Row Houses • Tour dé Neglect - 2006
Artspace Archive • Annals of Neglect • BAVPA • Where is Perrysburg? • Broken Promises...
Writing the City • Woodlawn Row Houses • Tour dé Neglect - 2006
13 comments:
How depressing- owned for almost 10 years by the City?!?!? That being the case, makes you wonder if the City has the sense to save this building or it just hasn't gotten around to demolish it yet. Hopefully the former but as you say- where's the for sale sign?
Would be interesting to find out the story behind the house- certainly looks historic- how about designation?
hmm.. 2 blocks to Del/Main? I measure closer to 2400 feet.
What's inside of the house?
you're right about the distance...
Haven't been inside. Yesterday afternoon the place was secure...
I'd love to get my group in to photograph it. Any idea who the owner is?
That would be so cool...my contact e-mail is located on one of top tabs of this blog. Get in touch...I have a couple ideas!!!
It's terrifying seeing this house on your site. I've been working to secure this gem for a while. It would not be another uppercrust Buffalo art spot, rather it will make an incredible resource center that would serve the community, not leach of the opportunity like Coe Place.
Hamlin Park has firm hold on the home. It was built by Buffalo's own woman architect,,the same who designed Lafayette Hotel...I've talked to the neighbors regularly to know whats going on. I hope you people don't have a pilgrims mentality..it's very frightening!!
Huh?
The City has sat on this for 9 years...What are your plans? Let me know.
Why the hostility on Coe Place? What's that all about?
Habana...click on the e-mail tab at the top of the blog...I'm listening.
can anyone tell me more about this home and this neighborhood? Is the home still available for sale?
how do i buy and the adjacent lots?
what are we going for here with the whole Urban Prairie thing? It looks like a forgotten amusement park. Nice place to be a paper boy.
we should stock it with live Buffalo and make it a nature preserve.
http://gorgon-the-plow.blogspot.com/
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