The Guaranty (Prudential) Building
The Guaranty Building, finished in 1896 at the corner of Church and Pearl Streets, was the tallest skyscraper in Buffalo at the time of completion. Designed by Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler, the building was commissioned by local businessman Hascal L Taylor to be the largest and most grand office building in the city.
Boasting an endlessly detailed terra-cotta facade with unique ornaments throughout, the Guaranty became a national prototype for modern skyscrapers. This is undoubtedly one of Sullivan’s greatest works from his prolific career, joining the ranks of other worldly architects like Frank Lloyd Wright and H.H. Richardson who left incredible marks in Buffalo. Inside the first floor lobby is currently an interpretive center, where one can learn more about the building’s history and restoration. The Guaranty Building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
