The Tri-Main building is a true Buffalo landmark, if not a national one! A historical spot. And much more. Unrecognized as such, it deserves attention.
I've driven past this large, factory-looking structure, since my childhood! I remember thinking this building looks a bit eerie, abandoned, sort of out of space in the middle of the city, right on Main Street.
Never did I know till this week any of the following:
The Tri Main Building in Buffalo, was originally built by Henry Ford's favorite architect. It was one of the first factories outside of Detroit where Ford would build his iconic cars. During WW2, Bell Aircraft used the building to develop the top secret P-59, American jet fighter. You can see this aircraft in the Smithsonian Museum in DC now! Although Bell's plant was just minutes down the road, the Tri Main offered some advantages for the discrete development of a new type of airplane. One, the multi story building was built with massive supports to carry the weight of Ford's auto manufacturing equipment- building an airplane would require such construction. Two, the site was far enough removed from the factory to avert attention and railroad tracks running adjacent to the building would make transporting goods in and out relatively easy while maintaining a low profile. In the event the Germans ever developed the ability to fly their bombers to the US, the roof was also disguised with small buildings to appear as though it was not a manufacturing facility.
A side rail was constructed during the war adjacent to the building and holes busted out of the wall below grade where the main train tracks ran parallel to the building. From this discrete location, the P-59 was loaded onto a train parked beside the building in the middle of the night and secretly snuck out to California for flight testing. Some of the windows were painted over with black paint to keep prying eyes from seeing what was going on inside as well as the siderail that allowed the traincar to pull up close. Originally set-up on the second floor, the project apparently eventually enveloped the entire building.
Most residents/tenants of the building today are likely unaware of its' past! The Buffalo Arts Studio is located on the 5th floor. A wonderful space for artists to work and teach art to the public. There are several other businesses and even an occupational school in this building today. Journeys End Refugee Services houses their main office here. Due to COVID-19 the office is operating remotely for now.
This is certainly adaptive-reuse and mixed-use of a historical structure. Six floors and 575,000 total square feet! Huge! The lobby has some interesting art pieces. Generally a very nice industrial/art vibe. You can see the original floor has markings from long ago. Nearby is the People's Park, a small community garden/green space on Main near Jewett. In the past, several special events have been hosted at the Tri-Main Center like art shows, computer and gaming events. Mundo Images art and photography business is very cool and it's housed here. The LunchBox cafe and catering is also in operation weekdays. All worth checking out! Don't you love Buffalo? I do! read more