Liberty Building (Buffalo, New York) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Liberty Building |
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Liberty Building, 1970
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| General information | |
| Status | Complete |
| Type | Office |
| Location | 424 Main St., Buffalo, New York 14202, USA |
| Coordinates | 42°53′08″N 78°52′30″W / 42.885595°N 78.875047°W |
| Completed | 1925 |
| Renovated | 1961, 1999 |
| Owner | Main Place Liberty Group |
| Height | |
| Antenna spire | 345 ft (105 m) |
| Roof | 333 ft (101 m) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 23 |
| Lifts/elevators | 9 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Alfred C. Bossom |
The Liberty Building is a tall and important building located at 420 Main Street in Buffalo, New York. It stands across from Lafayette Square and is a well-known landmark in the city. This building is a great example of old-style architecture.
Contents
A Look Back: History of the Liberty Building
The Liberty Building was finished in 1925. It has 23 stories and was built as an office tower. At the time, it was the biggest office building in downtown Buffalo. Its design is called neoclassical architecture, which means it uses ideas from ancient Greek and Roman buildings.
From German American to Liberty National
The building was first built for the Liberty National Bank. This bank was originally named the German American Bank. However, after World War I, its name was changed to Liberty National Bank. This change helped to remove any connection to the main enemy of the war.
The Famous Liberty Statues
To show the bank's new image, the building got three special statues. These statues are replicas, or copies, of the Statue of Liberty. They were made by an artist named Leo Lentelli in 1925.
Two of these statues are on the roof. One faces west and the other faces east. They show how important Buffalo's location is on the Great Lakes. A third statue was placed above the Main Street entrance, but it is no longer there. The two rooftop statues are still standing today. They are 36 feet (about 11 meters) tall and are lit up at night.
Building Updates Over Time
In 1961, an addition was made to the building. This new part was designed by a company called Lyman & Associates. The building has also been renovated in more recent years, including in 1999.
Today's Liberty Building
The Liberty Building is still an active office building today. It is owned by the Main Place Liberty Group, which also owns another building nearby called the Main Place Tower.
A High-Wire Walk
On September 23, 2010, something very exciting happened at the Liberty Building. A French tightrope walker named Didier Pasquette walked across a high-wire. This wire was stretched 150 feet (about 46 meters) between the two statues on top of the building! He finished the walk in just under three minutes.
How Tall Is It?
The Liberty Building is one of the tallest buildings in Buffalo. It is the fifth tallest building in the city.
Gallery
See also
In Spanish: Liberty Building (Búfalo) para niños
