Download or read book The Hotel Lafayette, Restoring Louise Bethune's Masterpiece written by Jacqueline Albarella and published by . This book was released on 2014-05-01 with total page 80 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: At its height of greatness, the Hotel Lafayette was considered one of the 15 finest hotels in the country. Originally planned to greet the visitors to the Pan- American Exposition in 1898, the red brick and white terra cotta French Renaissance-style building boasted seven stories of rooms with hot and cold water in all bathrooms, and telephones in all rooms, saw financial problems delay its opening until 1904. This proud edifice, once considered "the best that science, art and experience can offer for the comfort of the traveling public," boasts notoriety for a second reason. Louise Blanchard Bethune, The Hotel Lafayette's designer, was the first professional woman architect in the country. She was also the first female member of the American Institute of Architects and the first woman to be made a Fellow of the A.I.A. After years of neglect, Buffalo developer Rocco Termini undertook a massive project to bring one of Buffalo's grandest historic beauties back to life. The restoration, undertaken by hundreds of highly skilled craftspeople, artists and contractors using many of the Old World techniques used in the original construction, has become a painstaking and patient labor of love to restore each breath-taking architectural detail, from restoring crystal chandeliers in the ballroom to recasting ornate plaster beams. Buffalo's award winning documentary maker, Jackie Albarella, followed the restoration process from the beginning, and captured every minute detail. The Hotel Lafayette, Restoring Louise Bethune's Masterpiece dramatically captures the energy and excitement surrounding this momentous event in the rebirth of one of Buffalo's true landmarks. Full color photographs taken throughout the restoration along with comments from the craftspeople involved, give the full story of this remarkable accomplishment.