United Office Building

Art by: Chris Hytha

Story by: Mark Houser

The 1920s design revolution known as Art Deco took some interesting turns, including a brief fascination with Mayan motifs such as the painted friezes on this highrise. Buffalo architect James Johnson intended them to offset the stark verticality of what was the tallest skyscraper on the American side of Niagara Falls for almost 80 years.

It was constructed as the main headquarters of United Hotels, a luxury chain created by lawyer and entrepreneur Frank Dudley. Dudley helped to form several local ventures including a trolley company, an electric utility, and the city’s first country club. He also developed the city’s upscale Lewiston Heights neighborhood, where James designed a mansion for Dudley and his wife, Harriet.

United was one of the era’s biggest hotel chains, with properties in the United States, Canada, and overseas. A flagship was the Niagara Hotel across the street, which has been vacant for several years. So was this highrise until it was renovated and reopened as a boutique hotel and apartment complex. The top story is now an observation room where guests can watch the river hurl itself over the escarpment to become the American Falls.