Step Into History: The Hotel at the Lafayette for Doors Open Buffalo 2025
The Hotel at the Lafayette invites you to step through its doors and travel back to Buffalo’s golden age. Designed by trailblazer Louise Blanchard Bethune, the city’s first female architect, and opened in 1904, this grand hotel captures the lavish spirit of early twentieth-century hospitality. French Renaissance and Art Deco motifs abound, from hand-carved mantels to dazzling chandeliers that cast soft light on marble and mahogany finishes.
Hotel at the Lafayette
Lafayette has played host to dignitaries, celebrities—even the occasional wedding party scrambling for last-minute flowers or desserts in its in-house shops. Thanks to historic renovations, much of its architectural soul remains intact—making every visit a living lesson in restoration and preservation.
As you plan your Doors Open Buffalo route, make sure to include the Ellicott Square Building on your list! It’s just a short distance away and features a dazzling mosaic atrium and remarkable Renaissance Revival details—a perfect complement to your Lafayette experience.
During Doors Open Buffalo, guests can wander through hallways, peek into restored suites, and admire details that make this National Historic Landmark truly special. We’re especially proud of 500 Pearl, our event center, which is itself a historical gem. The space was enhanced to capture as much original detail as possible, providing an authentic link to Buffalo’s storied past.
Please note: Due to ongoing events, the 500 Pearl event space will not be available for public tours on September 20th.
Forbes Theater 500 Pearl
Whether you’re an architecture buff or curious local, don’t miss your chance to be part of Buffalo’s living history on September 20, 2025. Doors Open Buffalo offers free admission and a choose-your-own-adventure approach. Make the Hotel at the Lafayette a centerpiece of your journey, and soak in the stories its walls hold.
For more information and the full list of participating buildings this year, visit Explore Buffalo’s official Doors Open Buffalo webpage.
