Walking through an old asylum can be deeply unsettling. Dark and musty patient rooms, paint peeling from the hallway walls, and vines crawling out of vents are a ghost-hunter’s dream. Add to that a dusty, old wheelchair waiting for you in a hallway when you turn the corner, and you have a setting fit for nightmares.
A tour of an un-renovated wing of The Richardson Hotel in Buffalo, New York, took me back to the terrifying hospital scene in Jacob’s Ladder, where the surreal meets artifacts of memories and the fears of being hauled away by demons. (To anticipate the question: No, I did not see a ghost or demon.) These fantastic elements of the past are now being transformed one section after another into a luxury hotel, reclaiming a piece of Buffalo history—and the result is simply fantastic.
The Story of the Richardson
The Richardson was originally called the Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane when it opened to patients in 1880. The asylum was the brainchild of architect H.H. Richardson, landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted (of Central Park fame), and physician and psychiatrist Dr. Thomas Story Kirkbride. Rather than just locking people away, this asylum was designed to change how people healed by connecting them to the land with a space that allowed air and light to flow through.
The architecture, which became known as the Richardsonian Romanesque, was intended as a revival of 11th- and 12th-century Romanesque features, like round arches, stonework that is intended to withstand time, and a square tower. With high windows and high ceilings it is an open, welcoming space.
A New Purpose
This is not the first attempt to transform this space into a luxury hotel. Once known as Hotel Henry, the project was shut down due to the pandemic. Soon after, new ownership revived the project as The Richardson Hotel.
In an evolution of the space’s original intent, The Richardson emphasizes on well-lit spaces with pristine white hallways, high windows, and colorful art. Former patient rooms were combined into 88 king, queen and double rooms, with larger spaces for bathrooms and living areas. Large suites are available for guests wanting more privacy, a dining space, and the ability to entertain. The Richardson Bar offers a place for drinks and a limited menu, from poutine to wagyu smash burgers and Caesar salads. A complimentary continental breakfast will help you prepare for the adventures of the day ahead.
The Bottom Line
The Richardson is undeniably beautiful—and surprisingly convenient to some of Buffalo’s best attractions. Guests have an easy walk from the hotel to another Olmsted creation, Delaware Park, where beautiful walking paths will take you to The Terrace at Delaware Park for brunch and the AKG Art Museum. While you’re in town, be sure to delve into the city’s thriving food scene.
Tours of the broader Richardson Olmstead campus are available to the public, so you too can stumble onto an ominous wheelchair waiting silently in an empty hall. Maybe you’ll get lucky and meet a ghost. Either way, you’ll definitely get to see an amazing piece of history given new life.
