Drawing: Two tickets for BUILT
Drawing's closed! Winner's been emailed!
Historic Albany Foundation's annual BUILT event is this Saturday at Sixty State Place in Albany. It includes a show/silent auction/celebration of art and other work inspired by Albany architecture. There will also be food from Nicole's, and an open bar supplied by Capital Wine and Druther's. We have a pair of tickets for the event -- and we're giving them away.
To enter the drawing, please answer this question in the comments:
What's your favorite building in the Capital Region? And why?
It could be a current building, or one that existed in the past. Totally non-redeemable bonus points for a sentence about why you like that building. We'll draw one winner at random.
BUILT is this Saturday, November 2, from 7-10 pm at Sixty State Place (the former National Commerce Bank building) in downtown Albany. Tickets are $75 each.
Important: All comments must be submitted by 11:59 pm on Tuesday, October 29, 2013 to be entered in the drawing. You must answer the question to be part of the drawing. (Normal commenting guidelines apply.) One entry per person, please. You must enter a valid email address (that you check regularly) with your comment. The winner will be notified via email by 10 am on Wednesday, October 30 and must respond by 10 pm that day.
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Comments
my current favorite building... has got to be 12 Second St in Troy. I know, I'm biased.
... said innae on Oct 28, 2013 at 12:22 PM | link
I'm a big fan of the Alfred E Smith building.
... said AlbanyMD on Oct 28, 2013 at 12:32 PM | link
I've always liked the Art Deco ziggurat lines of the Alfred E. Smith Building.
... said chrisck on Oct 28, 2013 at 12:36 PM | link
There is a building in Troy's Washington Park neighborhood, just one of many stunning homes in that area, but this one is special. It has HUGE picture windows in the front through which you can see a beautifully restored ceiling with gilding on the details, chandeliers, an enormous fireplace, just perfectly restored and amazing. I love it because a restoration of that caliber is a dream of mine, which is why i bought a fixer-upper, but I don't have those skills or that capital--yet.
... said Kizzi on Oct 28, 2013 at 12:36 PM | link
Definitely the State Education Building!
... said Tammy on Oct 28, 2013 at 12:36 PM | link
I love all the old brownstones in Troy, especially my old apartment on 5th Street.
... said Lauren on Oct 28, 2013 at 12:41 PM | link
As someone who came to Albany from elsewhere in NYS, my favorite building is the capital. Its craft, detail, and large expanses of marble inside are not often matched in today's buildings!
... said Sara on Oct 28, 2013 at 12:43 PM | link
The SUNY System Administration Building. Beautiful building and a great showcase piece when you're entering downtown Albany.
... said cm on Oct 28, 2013 at 12:44 PM | link
My favorite building is the New York State Museum because it looks like the Mother Ship!
... said Jennifer on Oct 28, 2013 at 12:58 PM | link
The Egg... It always gets a conversation started...
... said Morgan on Oct 28, 2013 at 1:02 PM | link
The Alfred E. Smith building - As a kid in the early seventies I walked to Lake Electronics in Colonie to pick up my fixed transitor radio. Upon walking the seven miles back home to Albany via Central Avenue that was the ediface in my sights the whole way.
... said Kevin K. on Oct 28, 2013 at 1:10 PM | link
The Egg
... said JES on Oct 28, 2013 at 1:18 PM | link
My favorite is also the SUNY System Administration Building because of all of the amazing detail on such an enormous castle of a building. I love the little weather vane Halfmoon ship at the peak, and creepy little gargoyle facing north. Which I just learned is called a “grotesqueâ€. Plus all the carvings under the windows are beautiful. I feel like you could find some new detail every time you look at it.
... said Liz on Oct 28, 2013 at 1:25 PM | link
The King fuels tower that was in troy - IT HAD A PAINTED FACE ON IT.
HOW MANY OTHER BUILDINGS HAD/HAVE A PAINTED FACE ON IT...
... said J. Welf on Oct 28, 2013 at 1:25 PM | link
St. Joseph's! It's tragic, and mysterious, and so incredibly epic. Any building that makes you look upward in wonder as you cross the facade...
... said Colie on Oct 28, 2013 at 1:40 PM | link
The Union College Nott Memorial.
... said Liz on Oct 28, 2013 at 1:41 PM | link
The Egg--there are just so many good stories about it.
... said Sarah on Oct 28, 2013 at 1:41 PM | link
Albany Law School's 1928 building.....because I spend the majority of my day in it.
... said Joe on Oct 28, 2013 at 1:46 PM | link
St. Joseph's Church - my own private Hogwarts.
... said Jenna on Oct 28, 2013 at 2:21 PM | link
The Capitol!
... said JF on Oct 28, 2013 at 2:48 PM | link
I only know about it by seeing pictures, but I think it's a shame the original 17-story Ten Eyck Hotel was demolished for what is now the Hilton and a squat office building.
... said Anthony on Oct 28, 2013 at 3:06 PM | link
Although I know it has been behind scaffold for so long, I am going to say my favorite building is the Cathedral in Albany. I've seen many of the major cathedrals over in Europe, and this one reminds me of so many of them.
... said Lilly on Oct 28, 2013 at 3:08 PM | link
Albany County Courthouse. It's amazing on the inside.
... said Sam on Oct 28, 2013 at 3:14 PM | link
This building:
http://alloveralbany.com/archive/2011/03/11/dont-judge-a-building-by-its-cover----the-plumbing
I always assumed the guy with the welding mask/hard hat were the same person who not only painted the mural, but also lived inside welding things all day. Maybe sometimes took a lunch break at Emil Meister's... then went back to fixing pipes.
... said Brendan on Oct 28, 2013 at 3:34 PM | link
I've always loved the Albany Union Station building. I feel like every time I see it, I have a moment where I forget I'm in Albany in the 21st century, and not in a noir movie from the '40s. It makes me want to wear a wide brimmed slouched fedora and kitten heels.
... said Trish on Oct 28, 2013 at 4:29 PM | link
The State Education Building. I remember as a kid thinking those columns were so massive.
... said bb on Oct 28, 2013 at 4:32 PM | link
Ye olde Wellington Hotel on State St. I wanted to buy it, but I didn't have $6 million lying around...
... said RMH on Oct 28, 2013 at 4:55 PM | link
The egg - it's weird.
... said Jared on Oct 28, 2013 at 5:21 PM | link
That sweet little Russell Sturgis jobby at the east corner of State and James is pretty high on the list. Delaware Ave firehouse is pretty lovely, too.
... said JFN on Oct 28, 2013 at 5:23 PM | link
The fire house on Deleware Ave!
... said Tom on Oct 28, 2013 at 6:06 PM | link
The Washington Park Lakehouse is quite beautiful & interesting. The roof and the amphitheatre are wonderful. Park Playhouse has a stunning home! I wish they still had rowboats for people to paddle on the lake. Also, the bridge over the Lake is stunning. The addition of gas lanterns (like the original) would be fantastic!!
... said Michael on Oct 28, 2013 at 6:25 PM | link
my favorite building in the capital region is nanoscience college, it makes me feel like i'm living in the future.
... said julie on Oct 28, 2013 at 6:36 PM | link
The wine bar on lark. What's not to like!
... said Birdie on Oct 28, 2013 at 6:50 PM | link
Troy Public Library. Not only is the building itself a thing to gawk at, but the inside is exactly the way a library should be. I always like to look at the spot Meryl Streep was busted for sleeping on a bench in Ironweed.
... said Big 'Vic' Proton on Oct 28, 2013 at 7:08 PM | link
Troy Gasholder House. Just such an interesting structure and history.
... said ed on Oct 28, 2013 at 7:23 PM | link
Easily the State Education Building.
... said Fred on Oct 28, 2013 at 7:57 PM | link
Perhaps my entry into this fray would be seen as an inside game, but I'd love to go to built and cash is just too durn tight... so... if i have to pick one...
1 State Street - a way to bookend a great street! This building, another fabulous Reynolds design, was commissioned in 1902 and replaced a former structure that also with a curved facade. The ornamental face of the building, lavished in Renaissance-Revival details, gives a spectacular welcome to those traveling north up Broadway. It's a shame the adjacent buildings don't have the same attractiveness, but it is neat to see these dull, featureless forms seemingly wrap their amorphousness around 1 State St. and form what I think is essentially a frame.
*fingers crossed, yall*
... said daleyplanit on Oct 28, 2013 at 7:59 PM | link
I don't want to enter but I vote for the endangered Tudors on Holland!
... said Lucy on Oct 28, 2013 at 8:19 PM | link
The Federal Courthouse, because it has some amazing art deco decorative features and maintained all the beauty of the old post office in the process.
... said Sarah on Oct 28, 2013 at 8:30 PM | link
The State Education Building!
... said Anne on Oct 28, 2013 at 8:55 PM | link
My favorite building in the Capital Region is Troy's Gasholder Building on Jefferson Street near Carmen's Restaurant.
I have always found this building stunning, and dream of making it into an extremely cool home.
... said RB on Oct 28, 2013 at 9:10 PM | link
There is a huge red brick house (now divided into apartments) at the corner of S. Lake and Madison that I have long loved, perhaps because I am partial to turrets. I also love the unified vision of the Empire State Plaza, even though I am not especially fond of the individual buildings that compose it.
... said Holly on Oct 28, 2013 at 9:58 PM | link
There are so many amazing buildings in Albany, but if I had to pick just one, its the State Education Building.
... said Karen on Oct 28, 2013 at 9:58 PM | link
dutch reformed church in albany.
the pulpit was built in 1656 (i believe), shipped in from holland and bought for the astounding price of 3 beaver skins (may it was 6...)
... said tk on Oct 28, 2013 at 10:12 PM | link
My favorite building in the area is St Joseph's Church, because I was inspired there by a true artist,and made many friends at a benefit.
... said Kate fleming on Oct 28, 2013 at 10:26 PM | link
Favorite: 63 State Street... luscious materiality and turn of the century romanticism.
Second favorite is a tie: The Egg and 58-60 Second Street sisters in Troy.
Saddest loss: Wellington Hotel
... said AM on Oct 29, 2013 at 8:16 AM | link
The Matton Shipyard complex on the way to Peebles Island!
... said Jennifer on Oct 29, 2013 at 8:51 AM | link
The Egg is Eggcellent!!!
... said Rich on Oct 29, 2013 at 10:18 AM | link
The Capitol -- both the building itself and the history.
... said CP on Oct 29, 2013 at 10:28 AM | link
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. The history of parishioners who built it voluntarily, the incredible recent restoration, and the soaring architecture make it truly stunning.
... said DB on Oct 29, 2013 at 10:56 AM | link
63 State Street is my favorite building in Albany.
... said Graceful J on Oct 29, 2013 at 11:14 AM | link
The Egg- unlike any skyline I've seen.
... said Jefferson Barnaby on Oct 29, 2013 at 11:18 AM | link
The Egg!
... said George on Oct 29, 2013 at 11:30 AM | link
39 North Pearl houses the center for economic growth currently but was originally an old bank. It still has the massive vaults in the basement and the original screened in elevator indicative of the time. It's a gorgeous building inside and out!
... said Caitlin on Oct 29, 2013 at 1:09 PM | link
I'm busy on Saturday, but I just have to give a shout-out to the old Philip Livingston middle school.
Such an awesome building, one of my teachers had an office just off the 2nd floor balcony of the library, with a big round window and lots of gorgeous hardwood details.
Did they actually get a buyer for it? I'd heard something about it being converted into senior assisted living...
... said Lana on Oct 29, 2013 at 1:54 PM | link
The Capitol. I've worked in the building for 2 years, and it's so densely decorated that I'm still noticing details for the first time (and expect to keep finding new things).
... said MS on Oct 29, 2013 at 2:53 PM | link
Has to be The Empire State Plaza as a whole - including the Egg, Corning Tower and the State Museum.
It is such a nightmare of 60's modern art; that although hideous and a concrete wasteland, is now quite the unique skyline for our city, and has became by far the emblem of Albany. So weird, so astonishing...
... said Josh K. on Oct 29, 2013 at 3:09 PM | link
Church of the Holy Innocents on North Pearl. Built 1850 by William De Witt as a memorial to his children.
... said KL on Oct 29, 2013 at 4:54 PM | link
The wonderful yellow brick Dutch townhome on State St in Albany with the step roofline. I remember going past that home when on school field trips in the early 60s and listening to its history from our teacher. We would then go on the the Albany Institure of History and Art and learn more about the Dutch settlers. In the 80s I was able to view the inside with its owner. Special memories.
... said Debra Britt on Oct 29, 2013 at 5:00 PM | link
The Smith building- it is a monolith of Albany, and more visible from far away than The Capitol or City Hall.
... said Julie on Oct 30, 2013 at 9:16 AM | link
The Egg - awesome building and venue for live performances
... said Jbird on Oct 30, 2013 at 9:27 AM | link
The egg, clearly. Any other answer is wrong.
... said Jeremy on Nov 1, 2013 at 1:11 PM | link
Why are so many saying the Egg? The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, right next to the State Museum is my pick.
... said Luke on Nov 4, 2013 at 8:54 PM | link