It was a Saturday morning in 2015 when the skyline of Buffalo's Delaware District changed forever. Thousands of people lined the streets, coffee in hand, waiting for a boom. When it came, the massive concrete tower of the former Millard Fillmore Gates Circle Hospital didn't just fall; it evaporated into a cloud of gray dust.
Honestly, for many Buffalonians, it felt like losing a relative. This wasn't just some sterile medical building. It was where your grandmother had her surgery or where your best friend was born. But today, the site at 3 Gates Circle is barely recognizable as a hospital.
The story of how we got from a world-class surgical center to an "urban mixed-use hub" is messy. It involves a massive implosion, asbestos scares, and a decade-long struggle to figure out what to do with a giant hole in the ground.
Why Millard Fillmore Gates Circle Hospital Closed
The beginning of the end started way back in 2008. The state’s "Berger Commission" basically looked at the numbers and decided Buffalo had too many hospital beds. They ordered the closure of the facility to consolidate everything into the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus downtown.
By March 2012, the doors locked for good.
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It’s kinda wild to think about, but this place was once the cutting edge of medicine. In 1960, surgeons here were the first in the U.S. to successfully implant a cardiac pacemaker. You had the Gates Vascular Institute doing things no one else was doing. Then, suddenly, it was just a seven-acre ghost town in one of the city's wealthiest neighborhoods.
The transition wasn't smooth. You’ve probably heard the rumors about "urban explorers" sneaking in and finding old medical equipment left behind. There’s even a video from early 2025 showing hyperbaric chambers that were allegedly just... left there.
The Implosion That Changed Everything
On October 3, 2015, the 10-story main tower was demolished. It was one of the largest implosions in the city’s history. The goal was to clear the path for a massive $150 million redevelopment project called "Lancaster Square."
But the dust hadn't even settled before the problems started.
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- Asbestos Issues: Laborers from the 60s and 70s have since filed lawsuits because the building was packed with asbestos-containing joint compounds and pipe insulation.
- Historic Preservation Battles: While the tower was modern and ugly, the older 1911 "Homeopathic Hospital" wings were beautiful. Developers wanted to save them, but only if they could get the tax credits.
- Community Pushback: Neighbors weren't exactly thrilled about a massive 10-story apartment building looming over Frederick Law Olmsted’s historic Gates Circle.
What's Actually There Now?
If you drive by today, you’ll see Canterbury Woods Gates Circle. It’s a high-end retirement community that basically anchors the site. It looks nice, sure, but it’s a far cry from the bustling medical hub that used to define this corner.
The rest of the site is currently a work in progress—or a source of frustration, depending on who you ask.
- 875 Lafayette: This is the big news right now. Belmont Housing is turning the northernmost buildings (the old homeopathic wings) into 80 units of affordable housing. They’re about 60% done, and people should be moving in by early 2026.
- 50 Gates Circle: A mid-century modern medical office that’s been converted into 12 apartments and some commercial space.
- The "Emergency" Demolition: Just recently, in December 2025, TM Montante Development got an emergency permit to tear down more of the older structures. They couldn't get the historic tax credits to make a renovation work, so they're knocking them down instead of saving them.
It’s a bit of a tragedy for architecture nerds. The City's Preservation Board didn't even get a chance to review it.
The "New" Lancaster Square
The original dream for Millard Fillmore Gates Circle Hospital was a "vibrant urban district" with a grocery store, a fitness center, and hundreds of condos.
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We’re getting there, but it’s taking forever. The Lancaster Avenue extension now cuts through the site, reconnecting the street grid. It feels more like a neighborhood again and less like a walled-off institution. But that grocery store? We’re still waiting.
Is the Site Safe?
People always ask about the environmental impact. When you tear down a 100-year-old hospital, you’re dealing with more than just bricks. You’re dealing with lead, asbestos, and decades of medical waste.
The developers had to go through a rigorous "Brownfield Cleanup Program." Most of the nasty stuff was hauled away before and during the 2015 implosion. If you’re looking to rent one of the new apartments at 875 Lafayette or 50 Gates, the soil and air have been cleared to modern residential standards.
Actionable Steps for the Neighborhood
If you’re a Buffalo local or looking to move into the Delaware District, here is how you should navigate the current state of the Gates Circle site:
- Watch the 875 Lafayette Lottery: If you’re looking for affordable housing in a prime zip code, keep an eye on Belmont Housing Resources for WNY. They will likely start the application process for those 80 units in mid-2026.
- Check the Zoning for New Retail: With the recent demolitions on the south side of the site, new commercial space is coming. If you're a small business owner, this is going to be high-traffic real estate once the new residents move in.
- Follow the Gates Circle Reconstruction: The city is currently looking for input on making the actual traffic circle more "bikeable" and "walkable." Don't just complain about the traffic; get involved in the public hearings.
- Support the Remaining History: The 1911 core of the building is mostly gone or being heavily altered. If you care about Buffalo’s architectural history, the time to advocate for the remaining structures is right now, before the next "emergency" demolition occurs.
The Millard Fillmore Gates Circle Hospital might be gone, but the site is finally becoming something other than a vacant lot. It’s not a hospital anymore, but for 80 families and a whole new generation of residents, it’s finally going to be home.