You’ve probably walked past it a hundred times if you live in Buffalo. It’s that white, soaring tower downtown that looks a little bit like a giant radiator or maybe a high-end jewelry box. Honestly, most people just call it the M&T building and keep moving toward a Sabres game or a meeting. But M and T Plaza—officially known as One M&T Plaza—isn't just another bank branch. It is a massive piece of architectural history hiding in plain sight.
Most folks don't realize they're looking at a dress rehearsal for one of the most famous structures in human history.
The Architect Behind the Tower
Minoru Yamasaki. Does that name ring a bell? If not, the buildings he designed definitely will. He's the guy who gave us the original World Trade Center twin towers in New York City. While he was sketching out those massive icons, he was also working right here in Buffalo. Completed in 1967, M and T Plaza was basically Yamasaki’s playground for testing out "New Formalism."
It’s all about mixing modern steel with classical vibes. Think arches. Think marble. Think of it as the "anti-glass box." Back then, every other architect was obsessed with boring, flat glass skyscrapers. Yamasaki hated that. He wanted buildings that felt "human." He wanted "serenity and delight," which is a pretty wild goal for a corporate bank headquarters in a rust-belt city.
The tower stands 21 stories tall. 318 feet of pure Buffalo steel, mostly sourced from the old Bethlehem Steel plant nearby. There is something kinda poetic about a global architectural icon being built with local metal.
Why the Plaza Actually Matters
The building is cool, sure. But the "Plaza" part is where the soul of the place lives. It’s a 75-by-225 foot slab of open space that was revolutionary for its time. Before this, most downtown buildings just sat right on the sidewalk. Yamasaki pushed the tower back. He created a "podium."
Since 1969, this spot has hosted the Plaza Event Series. It is the longest-running free concert series of its kind in the United States. That’s a huge deal. Every summer, for over 50 years, the downtown workforce has been eating lunch to the sound of the Buffalo Philharmonic or local jazz bands.
What You’ll See Today
- The Fountain: It’s a decorative centerpiece that makes the concrete feel less like a parking lot and more like a park.
- The Marble: The base is white and green marble from Vermont. It feels expensive because it was—about $12 million to build in the 60s.
- The Bertoia Sculpture: There’s a Harry Bertoia piece out there that adds to the "museum" feel of the exterior.
The windows are another weird detail. They are narrow. Like, really narrow. Yamasaki famously had a fear of heights (vertigo), so he designed windows that provided a view without making you feel like you were going to fall out of the sky. If you ever get a chance to go to the 19th floor, the view is spectacular, but you’ll notice those slender vertical lines immediately.
Breaking Down the Myths
People think it’s just a bank. It’s not. It’s a community anchor. When the project was announced in 1961, it was the most expensive real estate deal in Buffalo's history at $1.75 million just for the land. M&T Bank basically bet the farm on downtown Buffalo staying relevant when everyone else was fleeing to the suburbs.
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Another misconception? That it’s a "twin" to the World Trade Center. It’s more like a cousin. While the vertical support columns look similar, M and T Plaza uses high-density white marble concrete and pre-cast panels embedded with white Georgia marble chips. It’s much more "decorative" than the Twin Towers were. Critics at the time actually called Yamasaki’s style "wedding cake" architecture because it was so ornate.
How to Experience M and T Plaza Like a Local
If you want to actually "do" M and T Plaza correctly, don't just stare at it from a car.
- Time your visit for Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday in the summer. This is when the food trucks roll up and the live music starts at noon.
- Look at the spandrel panels. They’re bronze-toned aluminum with a tiny rose-bud vase design embossed on them. It’s a detail 99% of people miss.
- Walk the perimeter. The transition from the green marble at the base to the white marble above is a masterclass in 1960s luxury.
- Visit the 19th floor if there’s a public event. The executive areas were recently remodeled, and the board room offers one of the best perspectives of the city's radial street grid.
The plaza is located at 345 Main Street. It’s right on the Metro Rail line, so you don't even have to worry about the Washington Street parking ramp if you're coming from elsewhere in the city.
The Actionable Takeaway
Next time you're in downtown Buffalo, stop at the corner of Main and North Division. Look up. Don't just see a bank building; see the bridge between 19th-century classical beauty and 20th-century skyscraper technology.
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Plan your visit for the next Plaza Event Series kickoff in June. Check the official M&T Bank newsroom or Buffalo Place calendar in late May to grab the schedule. Bring a chair, grab a taco from a truck, and sit in a piece of architectural history that helped define the New York City skyline.