History of the Hewitt Mansion

The Hewitt Mansion is named after inventor and businessman, Herbert H. Hewitt. Hewitt was originally from Detroit, then having worked in Chicago for the Pullman Company (helping to build train cars) he and his wife Sarah decided to move to Buffalo in 1893. Much like top inventors of the time, think Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison, Hewitt moved to Buffalo to harness the great power of Niagara Falls. Hewitt went on to found the Union Car Company (with the likes of John J. Albright and John D. Larkin), the Hewitt Rubber Company, and the Buffalo Brass Company. He also owned a number of different patents in the rail car industry as well as a horse that won the Kentucky Derby.

In 1898, Hewitt commissioned local architects Lansing and Beierl to build what we now know as the Hewitt Mansion and Inn Buffalo Off Elmwood at 619 Lafayette Avenue. Lansing and Beierl also designed and built the Lafayette Presbyterian Church just a few doors down the street on Elmwood and Lafayette. At the time of construction, the Hewitt Mansion was one of Buffalo's most impressive and expensive homes. Hewitt made clear that cost was not a factor. Having the power of Niagara Falls only 15 miles away allowed for the home to be built with very luxurious and modern amenities for the time. Electric lighting, gas back ups, and central heat were all built into the original design.

Sometime in the 1940's, decades after Hewitt's death, the mansion was used as a boarding house. It functioned as one for several decades until it became clear that rentals could no longer pay the bills and the home was put up for auction. Enter the current owners, Joe and Ellen Letteri, and the creation of the Inn Buffalo Off Elmwood.

Restoring an Elmwood Village Mansion

For those of you that have met Joe and Ellen, or have had the incredible experience of staying at Inn Buffalo, you know how much this home means to them. It's not by accident that you end up uncovering treasures like gold leaf ceilings and full-wall tiled mosaics. Only through methodical and careful planning can so much be saved from the original design. Upwards of 95% of the original footprint is still intact and it shows as soon as you walk through the doors. There are even 2 original sandstone hitching posts on the front lawn for those that used to need to tie up their horse.

Joe is a man with a deep love for the City of Buffalo and its history. In a sense, he and Ellen were the perfect people to buy this piece of historical architecture. Everything in the home that could be restored, was restored. There are beautiful fireplaces in seemingly every room and on every landing. Stained glass runs through the whole house and oak, mahogany, and cherry woodwork accents everything beautifully. It's an ideal boutique inn/hotel for anyone that enjoys fine architecture or history.

After 4 years of restoration work, Joe and Ellen opened Inn Buffalo Off Elmwood in 2015. There are 9 rooms, all with stunning on-suite bathrooms. In the basement you will find a billiards rooms that will transport you back in time. One incredible feature of this billiards room is the built-in waterfall feature that is meant to be used as a hand washing station, with both cold and hot water! The kitchen features a one-of-a-kind, custom built, stove hood with nickel plated accents designed by John Jewett, the founder of Buffalo's famous Jewett Refrigerator Company. Everywhere you look in this house you find something unique.

The restoration effort put into the Hewitt Mansion by the Letteri's is nothing short of heroic. Turning the Mansion into the Inn Buffalo Off Elmwood allows the property itself to bring in enough money to secure its future.

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