G. Morton Wolfe House
584 Richmond Avenue, Buffalo, New York

Built:
1912
Style:
Colonial Revival
History:

August 2019 photos

584 Richmond Avenue
1912
Builder:
G. Morton Wolfe.
2 1/2 story truncated hipped roof masonry Colonial Revival house, stone foundation, red brick exterior, slate roof. 
Entrance under flat roof porch at side elevation.  Partial width flat roof,  open front porch with Ionic columns.
Pedimented front gable dormers with round top leaded windows; 8/1, 4/1, 1/1 double hung wood windows. 
Brackets and dentils at eaves. 
Contains contributing hipped roof frame secondary building (garage)
- Section 7, Page 251-253, Elmwood West Historic District 2012 Nomination
584 Richmond Avenue
Phillip and Charmaine Then
8/30/19
By Judy Tucker

This handsome Georgian Colonial was designed and built in 1912 by G. Morton Wolfe for his personal residence. Wolfe also designed the Parkside Candy shop in the 1930s. As found in many Colonial style houses, this house has a side entrance.

In 1965 Neal Du Brock and his partner Jack Barr purchased the house. Du Brock was from Hollywood and was executive producer of The Studio Arena Theatre. Jack Barr was a mathematics professor at Buffalo State College, a musician and, in his 50’s, became a male model. Throughout the 60’s and 70’s the couple hosted many well known dinners and parties with several celebrities in attendance. Alda Alda, Kevin Bacon, Christopher Walken and childhood friend Betsey Palmer all stayed here when they starred on stage in Buffalo. In 1980 Du Brock moved out while Barr remained owner until he passed away in 2015.

The current owners began renovating while keeping many original features such as the floors and original molding and ceramic tiles in the baths. The fireplaces are original and have unique ceramic tiles. The quarter-sawn oak paneling in the living room and dining room and the pocket doors were stripped of their white paint. A large wood- paneled billiard room occupies part of the basement and tour guests are welcome to see it. The paneling and entry door are designed to hold the cue sticks which when closed, are no longer visible. It is believed that masonic meetings were held regularly in the basement.
 

Facade (east elevation)


Side entrance
Colonial Revival   ...   Truncated hipped roof


Modillions   ...   Dentil molding   ...  Frieze   ...   Ionic columns   ...   Keystone in the center of voussoirs



Gable dormer with broken pediment   ...   Keystone  ...   Ionic pilasters



Modillions   ...   Dentil molding   ...  Frieze   ...    Ionic columns   ...   Keystone in the center of voussoirs



Ionic order
Modillions   ...   Dentil molding   ...  Frieze   ...    Ionic columns 


Vase-shaped balusters




South elevation


South elevation   ...   Side entrance  Colonial    ...   Two details below:


Gable dormer with broken pediment   ...  Modillions   ...   Dentil molding  


Modillions   ...   Dentil molding    ...   Street address in frieze   ...   Ionic column and pilaster




West elevation


Back porch   ...   Tuscan square columns





Photos and their arrangement © 2019 Chuck LaChiusa
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