United Office Building
222 - 1st Street, Niagara Falls, NY

Erected:

1929

Original owner:

United Office Co. built hotels nationally, but not including their name in the names of the hotels

Architects:

Esenwein & Johnson

Style:

Art Deco, with Mayan Revival motif

Height:

20 stories tall

building materials:

Steel, brick, terra cotta trim

Status:

City of Niagara Falls landmark


Click on illustrations for larger size

Two buildings designed by Esenwein & Johnson
At right: Niagara Hotel / Fallsview Travelodge Hotel, 201 Rainbow Boulevard

20 stories tall making it the tallest building in Niagara Falls for the remainder of the century

View from Goat Island

Ground Level

Ground Level

Ground Level

Ground Level

Terra cotta ornamentation - Mayan Revival motif

 

 

Mayan symbols on entrance ornamentation

Detail from previous photo

Entrance soffit

Mayan figure in portal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crown

Crown

Crown

Crown

       

 

 

 

 

Gradual lightening of bricks is part of the building's design

The United Office Building is located at 222 First Street in the central business district of the City of Niagara Falls. It was built in 1929 and was designed in the art deco style of that era. At 20 stories in height, the building is the tallest structure in the city skyline, and stands as its signature architectural landmark. The upper floors offer commanding views of the Falls and the gorge, as well as the City and surrounding area.

The building consists of 15 lower stories with floor plates of approximately 4,500 gross square feet each. The upper five stories include two floors of about 3,000 square feet and three top floors of about 1,000 square feet each, which were constructed to house mechanical and elevator equipment. Having been vacant for over 15 years, the building has deteriorated and will require extensive renovation and rehabilitation to restore it to occupancy levels. -- New York Business

See also:


Special thanks to Architectural Historian Martin Wachadlo for his assistance
Photos and their arrangement © 2005 Chuck LaChiusa
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