The Turtle - Native American Center for the Arts
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The Turtle - Native American Center for the Arts
Location
- 25 Rainbow Mall, Niagara Falls, N.Y., 14303
- SBL: 150.12-1-20
- Google Bird's Eye View
- Niagara County Property Info
Owner
- NFR Turtle LLC
- NFR is Niagara Falls Redevelopment. NFR is owned by New York City real estate developers Edward and Howard Milstein. In addition to the Turtle and the former Nabisco factory, NFR and its affiliates own dozens of largely vacant parcels in a territory bordered by Portage Road, Buffalo Avenue, John B. Daly Boulevard and Niagara Street. The properties were acquired largely through purchases with private owners as part of a Master Redevelopment Agreement with the city that dates back to the late 1990s. --Niagara Falls Gazette.
Physical Description
- Unique 3-story, 67,000-square-foot structure designed in the shape of a turtle with large glass porthole "eyes."
Current Condition
- Vacant. Possible target for demolition.
History
- Designed in 1979 by Tuscarora sculptor Duffy Wilson and Arapho architect Dennis Sun Rhodes.
- Served for many years as Native American Center for the Living Arts, offering exhibit and lecture space in addition to a restaurant and offices.
- Facing financial difficulties, Center for the Living Arts closed in 1995.
- Building purchased by Niagara Turtle Corp. in 2000, a subsidiary of Niagara Falls Redevelopment.
Recent Events and Actions Taken
- 2017 - NFR Turtle, LLC. seeks height variance for a 200-foot hotel and tourist structure on the 1.67-acre site. The Turtle would be demolished. Niagara Gazette
- August 2022 - Niagara Falls Preservation Commission to consider The Turtle for local landmark status. Buffalo News
Other Pertinent Facts
- Design reflects Haudenosaunee legend that animals created North America on the back of a large turtle.Buffalo News
Links
- NFR Calls for 20-Story Hotel at Turtle Site (Niagara Gazette)
- Wintertime Festival Lights Up the Niagara Sky (Los Angeles Times, 1990)
- Long-Vacant Turtle Building Lives on in the Hearts of Many (Buffalo News)
- Niagara Falls' Iconic Turtle Building Up for Local Landmark Status (Buffalo News)
- 2000 Buffalo News article about proposed museum partnered with Smithsonian Institute
- 2017 Channel 4 news report
Newest Pages
■ 1291 Main Street
■ 22 Chateau Terrace
■ 807 Clinton Street
■ 250 Richmond Avenue
■ Liberty Tailors
■ 1966 Niagara Street
■ 1942 Niagara Street
■ 1930 Niagara Street
■ 2018 Main Street, Niagara Falls NY 14305
■ 1940 Niagara Street
■ 1932 Niagara Street
■ 1035 Jefferson Avenue
■ 701 Third Street, Niagara Falls
■ The Turtle - Native American Center for the Arts
■ Nabisco Elevator, Niagara Falls
■ 945 Washington Street
■ 941 Washington Street
■ 931 Washington Street
■ 929 Washington Street
■ 927 Washington Street
■ Prophet Isaiah's Second Coming House
■ 1681 Main Street
■ 1215 Niagara Street
■ 882 West Avenue
■ 878 West Avenue
■ 29 Minton Street
■ Paramount Lodge
■ 21 Anderson Place
■ 2505 Main Street
■ Buffalo Skyway
Added 2022-08-30 • Last changed 2022-10-11