At the heart of 500 Pearl stands the historic Buffalo Christian Center, a 1914 masterpiece designed by the legendary architects Esenwein & Johnson—the same minds behind Buffalo’s Statler Hotel, Museum of Science, and the beloved Temple of Music for the 1901 Pan American Exposition. Originally built for the Buffalo Fraternal Order of Eagles, you can still spot the group’s proud values etched on the north side of the building: “Liberty, Truth.”
Back in the day, this terracotta-trimmed Italian Renaissance-inspired clubhouse was the ultimate hangout for members—including one future president, Franklin D. Roosevelt. Inside, the space was crafted for the “modern Renaissance man” with a lounge, billiard room, and library on the first floor, and the lodge room upstairs remains beautifully intact to this day.
The club quickly became so popular that by 1924, the building grew—with a grand ballroom and auditorium added to host cultural events and social gatherings worthy of Buffalo’s elite. Fun and games continued to thrive, with the addition of a pool, bowling alley, extra billiards rooms, a gymnasium, and, believe it or not, mini golf making its way inside these historic walls.
The Eagles called this place home until 1952 before moving downtown to the Statler Hotel. The building then became the U.S. Army Reserves’ spot for a few years until 1958, when Alan Forbes brought it back to life as the Buffalo Christian Center. Forbes channeled the building’s spirit of community, transforming it into a welcoming and safe haven for at-risk youth—a hub for creativity and recreation for nearly fifty years.
Now, the Buffalo Christian Center is stepping into its exciting third chapter. Fully restored to its original grandeur and updated with all the modern touches, this iconic venue is once again a buzzing place for stage shows, social events, and yes, a shiny new bowling alley. Alongside it rises a sleek, modern tower that shapes Buffalo’s skyline, home to a hotel, local businesses, restaurants, and more.
From its origins as a clubhouse for a storied social order to its role as a vibrant community center, 500 Pearl continues to celebrate Buffalo’s uniquely bold spirit—welcoming locals and visitors alike to gather, play, and make memories for generations to come.
