Celebrate Buffalo's Waterfront

Frank Lloyd Wright Boathouse Will Be a Buffalo Reality
Eileen Buckley

BUFFALO, NY (2006-06-16) A piece of Buffalo's tourism pie is closer to becoming a reality. Construction on the Frank Lloyd Wright Rowing Boathouse is expected to begin this September. Frank Lloyd Wright issued his boathouse design in 1905. But by next year you could finally see a boathouse built along the City's waterfront.

The Frank Lloyd Wright's Rowing Boathouse Corporation was formed in 2000 with a mission to secure the land and raise the funds to build the structure. Those leading the charge say after six years of planning it is full steam ahead.

"We are at a very exciting point in the project, " said Sharon Courtin, executive director of the Boathouse Corporation. Courtin says the biggest challenges was acquiring the land. But Erie County was able to take it over and lease it back to the Corporation. It will be built on the water's edge at the West Side Rowing Club.

"You will see a very modern looking structure once it is completed. Even though it was designed in 1905, it is very sleek looking, with straight horizontal lines. It will look like it was designed in this era rather than the early 1900's," Courtin said.

The boathouse project is expected to cost $3.2 million. Courtin says the state issued a $1 million grant and the rest of the funding is coming from the private sector. It could be ready by the Fall of 2007.

West Side Rowing Club president Bill Maggio says the boathouse will be fully functioning. "It will help the club expand. There are already a great many programs we run at the club, with over 500 high school kids rowing down there in the spring season. In order for use to expand that capacity we are going to need additional facilities," said Maggio.

Buffalo makes perfect sense to build a Wright Rowing boathouse. It is already home to some famous architectural treasures left by Wright. The boathouse will also serve as a tourist stop -- after all, not too many cities can say that the lead architect of the boathouse design was Frank Lloyd Wright.