Kleinhans Music Hall

Kleinhans Music Hall
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark
Kleinhans Music Hall
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Location	Buffalo, New York
Coordinates	42°54′07″N 78°53′01″W / 42.90194°N 78.88361°W / 42.90194; -78.88361Coordinates: 42°54′07″N 78°53′01″W / 42.90194°N 78.88361°W / 42.90194; -78.88361
Built	1938-40
Architect	Eero Saarinen Eliel Saarinen
Architectural style	International Style
NRHP Reference #	89001235
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	June 29, 1989
Designated NHL	June 30, 1989

Kleinhans Music Hall, is a 2,400 seat music venue located on Symphony Circle in Buffalo, New York. The home of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, was built in the late 1930s and opened October 1940. The music hall was built as a part of the last will and testament of Edward L. and Mary Seaton Kleinhans, owners of the Kleinhans men's clothing store. The couple left close to 1 million dollars for the music hall's construction. The building was designed by Eliel Saarinen with his son, Eero Saarinen and "was recognized as one of the greatest concert halls ever built in the United States". It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1989 and "is renowned for its acoustical excellence and graceful architecture."

In 1934, when it was determined a music hall was to be built, it was assumed the much experienced and local architect, Edward B. Green, would get the job. In 1935, Green submitted a neoclassical design combining the styles of Symphony Hall in Boston and Severance Hall in Cleveland. Green planned to have the hall attached to the Museum of Science. It was later decided the hall would be constructed at the site of Truman Avery's mansion (to be demolished) on the circle at Richmond and Porter Avenues (known as Symphony Circle).

George F. Rand, the chairman of the Buffalo Foundation (the Kleinhans' executors), liked the work of local architects and brothers, F.J. and William Kidd. (The Kidd brothers designed Buffalo's Rand Building, built in 1929 and located at Lafayette Square.) In May 1938, the brothers were hired as architects for the music hall. However, their designs were criticized by Esther Link, who had been shown the Kidd drawings by Buffalo Foundation lawyer, Edward P. Letchworth. Link, without any formal architectural education, was a high school music teacher who had travelled in Europe, and had a strong familiarity with architects and artists. She was an admirer of architect Eliel Saarinen, particularly for his design of the central railroad terminal in Helsinki. In July 1938, upon Letchworth's request, Link drafted a letter detailing her passion for Saarinen's work and the future of Kleinhans music hall. The Buffalo Foundation agreed to offer Saarinen the position of consultant. Saarinen declined. Letchworth did not want to undermine Rand and the Kidd brothers. In September 1938, Letchworth met with Saarinen and his son Eero, and the Kidd Firm. They all agreed that Saarinen would be "designing architect" while Kidd would oversee the project. Saarinen quickly submitted his design one month later.