Henry Hotel, photographed by Christopher Payne, in Architectural Record

Hotel Henry, Richardson Olmsted Complex, Buffalo NY, Deborah Berke Partners. © Christopher Payne/Esto

The Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane, designed by H. H. Richardson, is a National Historic Landmark. Empty since 1974, the first phase of renovation by Deborah Berke Partners has opened as the Henry Hotel.

“The building has a really powerful presence,” says Berke. “What we tried to do was celebrate it—allow people to enjoy that presence—while distancing the hotel from the asylum and embracing the architecture.”

Chris Payne photographed the project which is published in the September issue of Architectural Record.