DEMOLITION PARTY MARKS DEMISE OF APARTMENT BUILDINGS THANKS TO 21st CENTURY STYLE PHILANTHROPY (12/2001) 21ST CENTURY STYLE PHILANTHROPY PROVIDES DONATION FOR DEMOLITION Thanks to a group of “new century” philanthropists, and their donation of $125,000, two apartment buildings on the Martin House Complex site have been demolished. This donation was awarded by the 21st Century Fund, a group created in 1999 by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. The Fund’s purpose is to support projects that will draw new resources into Western New York, create a major positive impact on the community, and enhance the reputation of our area as a cultural destination. Their membership is drawn from “a new generation” of benefactors who are developing their contribution to the community as philanthropists. The Martin House was one of four finalists in a competition created by the 21st Century Fund, and its selection was based upon the beneficial impact restoration of the Martin House will have on the community. The MHRC board is pleased that the Martin House project was selected as the 21st Century Fund’s first award. Further information on the 21st Century Fund may be found on the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo Web site www.cfgb.org DEMOLITION PARTY MARKS DEMISE OF APARTMENT BUILDINGS October 14, 2001 marked an auspicious occasion for the Martin House Complex. On that day Martin House neighbors, volunteers, board members, donors, dignitaries and staff gathered together to celebrate the long awaited beginning of demolition of three non-historic apartment buildings which had long interrupted the flow of the Martin House Complex. Members of the 21st Century Fund, along with their guests and families, joined them as the first “symbolic strike” was made on the first building to be demolished. With two of the apartments now gone the last obstacles to the most ambitious Frank Lloyd Wright restoration ever undertaken have been removed. Sight lines between the Martin House and Barton House have been restored for the first time in more than forty years. Construction of the pergola, conservatory and carriage house may now begin. The cheers emanating from the 518 guests at the demolition event reflected the joy felt by all present that the restoration is truly moving forward, and that this jewel will return to its original grandeur. The third apartment building will be removed once construction of a new Visitor Center is about to begin.