174 North Pearl Street

April 2007

Buffalo has few row houses as the building type was never as popular as the detached housing built on narrow lots, but there are a few - 174 is a stunning example.  The original owners were the Basset Brothers, engineers and contractors for the waterworks. Each of the five houses were originally occupied by a single family.  By the early 1970s, the buildings had deteriorated to seedy rooming houses, the original spaces divided and sub-divided into rooms no bigger than jail cells.

A very rare example of the brick row house in Buffalo; this type of housing was the rule in most East Coast cities.  The design derives its strength through structure and form, executed with exquisite craftsmanship and fine materials, rather than with applied ornamentation.  The composition is further enhanced by the alternating of two subtly different designs across the five houses, each of which originally contained one unit.  It was designed by Frederick W. Fisher, a local architect who had just opened his office.  The original occupant of No. 174 was Edward M. Bassett, a lawyer with Bassett Bros., who were engineers and contractors for the city waterworks.

The row houses were rescued by architect E. Bruce Garver who renovated them in 1972.  The building features solid construction and delicate cast iron ornamentation, which was very popular in Buffalo during the Victorian era.  The building features central interior oak staircases go from the first floor to the third, lit by a large roof sky light in each unit.

The three-story structures are nearly identical, being flat roofed, and having the first floor facade entirely consumed by a semi-elliptical arch which is accented with delicate cast iron traceries.  The three sided bays of copper on wood overhang the entry arch and have alternating pyramidic and round caps.  Corner pilasters divide each unit, and the corbel panels under the frieze provide an ornamental note to the otherwise austere facades.  This building is a demonstration of the wonders that can be worked on an old house by a sensitive and creative hand.

The current owner of the property has a fondness for brick row houses and when he saw the property was for sale, knew that it was the place for him.  Some of the features he enjoys about the home are its exposed brick walls, skylights and three fireplaces.  The owner lovingly maintains the property and has just this year installed a new bathroom in the home.  The house is a perfect mixture of classic Victorian and contemporary practicality.