Kelly, Col. William, House
Why it's listed
Built in 1937 at 36 Tudor Place in western Buffalo, this two-and-one-half story Colonial Revival house was designed by local architect Albert Hart Hopkins and built by Rixon Construction Company for Colonel William Kelly, an Army engineer and later president of the Buffalo Niagara Electric Corporation. It sits on part of the former Albright estate grounds. The wood-frame house is faced in variegated red and brown brick, with darker headers suggesting quoins, a low hipped roof with dentils and modillions, and a pedimented entrance with fluted Doric columns and an Adamesque surround. An L-shaped plan includes a rear wing with an attached garage and servants' bedrooms. Inside, the center-hall plan, oak and gumwood finishes, and built-in cabinetry remain largely original. Only the slate roof has been replaced, with asphalt shingles. The house was listed for its architectural quality, its integrity, and its place on a street of similar revival-style homes, and it reflects the tastes and status of its original owner.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is an exceptional, architect-designed example of Colonial Revival style under Criterion C, with a high degree of integrity. It features a hipped roof, symmetrical facade, classical pedimented entrance and refined detailing. Its setting on Tudor Place and its intact center-hall interior add to its significance.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 97000414, listed May 23, 1997. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 36 Tudor Place, Buffalo |
|---|---|
| County | Erie County |
| Listed | May 23, 1997 |
| Reference number | 97000414 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1937 |
| Architect / builder | Architect: Albert Hart Hopkins; Builder: Rixon Construction Co., Inc. |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as having undergone few alterations since 1937 and being in excellent condition; still used as a single dwelling. |
| Acreage | 0.2 |
| Within district | Delaware Park-Front Park System |
| Coordinates | 42.91711, -78.87471 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 97000414.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5141797
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.