History
Built in 1897 by famed E.B. Green architect William Sydney Wicks, the building now known as Fairfield Commons is considered an Amherst Street landmark. Originally designed as the Parkside Unitarian Church, the building was occupied by two different Lutheran congregations until it was purchased by the City of Buffalo in 1924 and transformed into a branch library. The site operated as the Fairfield Library until 2005. Though vacant and neglected for years, the graceful Colonial Revival building features a lovely pediment supported by four columns and four matching pilasters, arched Palladian windows and heavily ornamented cornices and eaves. The choir loft, 2-story stained glass window and beautiful architectural molding have all been faithfully incorporated into multi-level lofts and apartments.