The Hydraulics neighborhood is located just over a mile Southeast of downtown, and got its name when in 1827 the Hydraulic Canal was built and powered many mills and factories in the area. Much of the area remains industrial today.
The Larkin Company, also known as the Larkin Soap Company, began in 1875 in the Hydraulics as a small soap factory, but grew tremendously throughout the late 1800s as the company became a mail-order conglomerate that employed 4,000 people by 1920. The company's success allowed them to hire Frank Lloyd Wright to design the iconic Larkin Administration Building which stood as a symbol of Larkin prosperity until the company's demise in the 1940s. Unfortunately, the Wright building was torn down in 1950, but many of the factories and warehouses of the company remained, although the area fell into decay and vacancy.
Starting in the early 2000s, this area has been rechristened Larkinville, and many of the remaining industrial and warehouse properties have been converted to offices and residences. Conversions and new construction continues today, with new residential and infill expanding in all directions.
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bpawlik, on Flickr
The Larkin at Exchange building was the first to be renovated into offices, and its popularity led to the conversion of other buildings and the creation of Larkin Square.
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bpawlik, on Flickr
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bpawlik, on Flickr
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bpawlik, on Flickr
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bpawlik, on Flickr
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bpawlik, on Flickr
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bpawlik, on Flickr
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bpawlik, on Flickr
All that remains of the Frank Lloyd Wright building.
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bpawlik, on Flickr
Some buildings await redevelopment.
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bpawlik, on Flickr
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bpawlik, on Flickr
Many others are completed. All three large buildings have recently undergone full redevelopment into commercial and residential.
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bpawlik, on Flickr
Former A&P warehouse just completed this year.
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bpawlik, on Flickr
Nearby neighborhood.
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bpawlik, on Flickr
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bpawlik, on Flickr
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bpawlik, on Flickr
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bpawlik, on Flickr
Larkin Square has become popular for its after-work events in the summer.
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bpawlik, on Flickr
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bpawlik, on Flickr
My current Buffalo neighborhood threads
University Heights: http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=236332
Hertel North-Park: http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=233804
Black Rock: http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=233807
Grant Street-West Side: http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=233813
Lower West Side: http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=236420
Inner Harbor and Buffalo River: http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=233674
Delaware District: http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=233875
Allentown: http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=233812
Hydraulics/Larkinville: http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=238547
Medical Campus Area: http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=238546
Threaded Mode