*This Atlantic Cities post was compiled by the Public Affairs department at the National Trust for Historic Preservation. It originally appeared on the National Trust for Historic Preservation blog Preservation Nation, an Atlantic partner site.
As we begin to look back at all of the things that we should be most thankful for in 2012, Atlantic Cities has made the job a bit easier by declaring Hotel Lafayette one of 2012’s most important preservation battles. The hotel is in outstanding company, and we’re happy to see Buffalo, NY featured on this awesome list. Along with a short write-up (see below), commentor “betty barcode” reminds us that “It is the masterpiece of Louise Bethune (1856-1913), the nation’s first professional woman architect.” See article
Hotel Lafayette is a historic hotel built during the early 20th century. It is listed on the National Register for Historic Places, and was once considered one of the finest hotels in the nation. In 2010, a rehabilitation project using state and federal historic tax credits was undertaken to convert the hotel into a mixed use building of apartments and businesses. The project was completed in early 2012. – Atlantic Cities