Frank Lloyd Wright's
Fontana Boathouse
Site Loading...
Site Loading...
Space is the breath of art.
Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright originally designed his boathouse for the University of Wisconsin in 1905. It took the dedicated philanthropy of rowing and architecture enthusiast Charles Fontana and his family to bring the Boathouse to life on the shores of Buffalo’s Black Rock Channel in 2007.
Frank Lloyd Wright considered his Boathouse to be one of his finest designs, and historians and tourists agree. We accept visitors from all around the world to tour the Boathouse. Tours are held every Thursday at 1:30PM, from April to October, for just $10 per person. Larger group tours can be scheduled outside of regular tour times by calling 716-362-3140.
Frank Lloyd Wright is one of the most prolific and notable architects in history. His designs enrich all of Western New York, from the riverbanks of Buffalo, down the southern, scenic shores of Lake Erie. The Wright loved his boathouse design so much that he included it in his now famous Wasmuth Portfolio in 1910, and then highlighted it again 20 years later in an international exhibit of his greatest works.
The space within becomes the reality of the building.
Frank Lloyd Wright
Wright’s two-volume folio contained more than 100 lithographs and is considered by many architectural historians to be a significant touchstone for early European modernist architecture.
Some of Wright’s most famous designs were featured in the Wasmuth Portfolio, including the Darwin Martin House, the Larkin Administration Building and the Edwin H. Cheney House.
The Fontana Boathouse features some of Wright’s classic design elements. Large beams run along the ceilings, naturally guiding visitors from one space to the next. Arts and crafts style lighting fixtures adorn the stairwells and are reflected in the building’s windows on the second floor. The Boathouse is an architectural destination to be explored and enjoyed.
The present is the ever-moving shadow that divides yesterday from tomorrow. In that lies hope.
Frank Lloyd Wright
The Boathouse is available to book for a number of events, including business lunches, corporate gatherings and conferences. The beautiful interior design is flooded with natural light and makes for a perfect destination for your next business meeting.
Book Your Corporate Event
If you’re looking to host a swanky soiree after hours, the Boathouse is nestled right on Buffalo’s picturesque Black Rock Channel. Enjoy a night out as you sip cocktails and converse out on the balcony overlooking the Niagara River and Lake Erie.
Book Your Cocktail Event
The Fontana Boathouse is a romantic, intimate setting to celebrate your wedding. There’s a main banquet hall with open-air access to the balcony, and some newlyweds make a spectacular entrance riding up to the dock on a boat.
Book Your WeddingYouth is a quality, not a matter of circumstance.
Frank Lloyd Wright
The Fontana Boathouse gets its name from Charles and Marie Fontana. Both were important to the history of the West Side Rowing Club. Their son, Tom Fontana, chose to name the beautiful building after them.
Charles’ love for the sport began early and his passion only grew from there. He started rowing during high school in the 1940s, tried out for the Olympics in 1948 and coached at the West Side Rowing Club for nearly 40 years afterwards. He and Marie continued to be involved with the club throughout their lives.
Heritage and tradition surround the construction of the boathouse: Charlie and Marie’s son, Tom, is the lead donor to the project.
Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.
Frank Lloyd Wright
The West Side Rowing Club is almost as old as the Boathouse design. The Club has been a destination for rowers from all across Western New York promoting physical, mental and moral well-being.
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fontana Boathouse is in fact used as it was designed to be. The West Side Rowing CLub and Canisius College Crew Team store boats on the first floor of the building.
Nothing better illustrates the unique sporting nature of rowing than regattas. These competitive events also serve as a meeting place of our community. Regattas hosted at the West Side Rowing Club remind us what makes the sport, and Western New York, so special.
No stream rises higher than its source. Whatever man might build could never express or reflect more that he was. He could record neither more nor less that he had learned of life when the buildings were built.
Frank Lloyd Wright
