109 Cottage Street

April 2007

One secret of Allentown is that it contains architecture built from 1815 right through the present.  Most of the houses located on lovely Days Park were built between 1850 and 1890.  An exception of to this is the contemporary house built at 5 Days Park by architect Peter Nowak as his own house.  At around the turn of the 20^th century, a brick 3 story apartment building occupied this site and had 12 apartments, but was demolished in 1976.

Vacant lots don't last long in Allentown, and it was just a matter of time before this lot was utilized to build a new home to add to the Allentown streetscape.  5 Days Park was modeled after European urban buildings in a way that hugs their corner.  The house also makes use of a series of terraces for outdoor living space and to take advantage of the beautiful views of Days Park.  The home’s architect, Peter Nowak, specifically designed the house to take advantage of its siting on a corner lot and the home’s windows perfectly capture the sunrise and sunset over Days Park.

Although only a little over 10 years old, a previous owner made some insensitive exterior alterations that changed the appearance of the home.  The current owner is committed to restore the home to its original design.  There was originally an arch over the parking area that has been taken down along with other architectural elements missing from the exterior of the house.

The current owner fell in love with the house and decided it was the only one for her.  She had previously owned homes and renovated them and after selling a home that she recently renovated, swore that she would not own another home, until she fell in love with 5 Days Park and the housing renovation bug bit her again.  The home had been abandoned and she purchased it from a government agency and began the restoration process.  The bold colors she has chosen for the exterior are reminiscent of Northeastern colors.  To highlight the unique interior spaces, she has painted the floors with black shiny floor paint.

Days Park, one of Allentown’s best secrets, is a beautiful neighborhood.  The common green that surrounds the houses was part of urban planning from the 1840s that attempted to preserve a rural atmosphere in a suburban setting.  Lewis Allen, for whom Allentown is named, extolled the virtues of such a park.  The park was a gift from Thomas Day to the City of Buffalo about 1850.  He owned much of the land around the park which he then sold to people who wanted to build their house on the park.  Two houses on the same side of Days Park as this home were built for Thomas Days’ sons in the 1850s.  Days Park was redesigned in the 1880s by famed landscape designer Frederick Law Olmsted.  His design included the fountain which is the centerpiece of the park.

Today Days Park is a wonderful space for neighborhood residents to enjoy the green lawns, play games and enjoy the gardens that are tended by neighborhood volunteers.  5 Days Park shows that even contemporary organic architecture can fit into a neighborhood design created over 150 years ago!