The 1870s era Asbury Delaware Church will remain a Buffalo landmark because of adaptive reuse and restoration efforts recently completed. Exterior work was highlighted by comprehensive reconstruction efforts at the seriously deteriorated north and south towers of the West façade. A new slate roof, complete with copper aprons, gutters, and downspouts, was installed. The refurbished exterior art glass windows received vented protection glazing. The sandstone entry portico was restored after decades of erosion and neglect and the large choir window was completely rebuilt to original profiles but with a new concealed structure that corrected design flaws in the original assembly.
The most notable and historically significant interior spaces include the sanctuary, narthex, and the tower vestibules, which have been restored to become a performance space. This work involved restoration of finishes and fixtures including painted plaster walls, stained walnut wainscot, oak flooring, false wood hammer beams, and plaster chandeliers. Since all the original pews had been lost, new fixed seating was added at the balcony levels by incorporating salvaged pews from a nearby church. A new stage was constructed in the vocabulary of the existing wood finishes.
The original Church House occupies the eastern half of the building and accommodates Righteous Babe Records’ Headquarters and Hallwalls Art Gallery. This work was designed by another architectural firm and in a more contemporary approach. FBA served as the historic advisor in order to protect the historic context and the Owner’s interests regarding historic tax credits.
Client: Righteous Babe Records
Location: Buffalo, NY
Completion Date: 2006
