Albany Capital Center rendering
At Howard (to the left) and Eagle (to the right).
Now that the old Wellington Hotel annex is gone (and how), here's the latest rendering of the Albany Capital Center. The Albany Convention Center Authority released this image on Friday. Here's a larger version.
An architect for the firm designing the center told the Times Union the project's brick facade is intended to fit with the former DeWitt Clinton Hotel across Howard Street. The DeWitt Clinton is itself going through a major renovation to become the "Renaissance Hotel."
That whole 2-3 block area of downtown Albany is set for a major transformation. In addition to the Albany Capital Center and DeWitt Clinton projects, there's also a plan for mixed-use buildings behind the currently empty Wellington facade along State Street. Also proposed for that block: a new 337-space parking garage off Howard Street, for which Columbia Development is seeking $1.2 million via the state Regional Economic Development Council (the rendering above appears to include a glimpse of the garage).
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Comments
Looks like Troy's Atrium. Yuk.
... said ace on Aug 25, 2014 at 11:19 AM | link
There will also be a new pub across the street from the convention center I believe.
... said Hock41 on Aug 25, 2014 at 11:58 AM | link
Looks like a generic high school. No historical context or references (or, if so, the Dewitt Clinton isn't much of an inspiring reference). I actually like modern/comtemp architecture (and lots of glass), but this is just "play it safe" public design and pretty boring.
... said chrisck on Aug 25, 2014 at 12:20 PM | link
Any idea what's happening with the parking for City Beer Hall? We used to be able to park for free in the lot around the corner, but it has been closed for weeks since they started work on the convention center project. I only imagine the parking situation is going to get worse.
... said Trish on Aug 25, 2014 at 1:10 PM | link
I'd like to see the back side of the building, i.e. what you would see from the ESP arterial. I'm assuming they aren't releasing that view b/c it will be a massive windowless/lifeless brick wall like the back of the Saratoga city center. Mediocrity abounds!
... said Guy on Aug 25, 2014 at 1:20 PM | link
I see taxi cabs in this rendering. Does this mean that when Albany gets a convention center the city will fix the fiasco which is the current taxi situation there? Or Albany assumes people going to conventions like to be packed like school children into broken down vomit wagons chauffeured by shyster ex-cons?
... said Big 'Vic' Proton on Aug 25, 2014 at 1:20 PM | link
Wow, it will be like having a bit of boring generic midwestern architecture right in our own back yard.
... said Tess on Aug 25, 2014 at 1:33 PM | link
Reminds me of the City Center in Saratoga. The difference is there's more social options in Saratoga.
... said jamband on Aug 25, 2014 at 1:56 PM | link
THIS is the best they can come up with for ALBANY, NY?!?! The State Capitol?.... It's boring and ugly not to mention largely unnecessary, in my opinion. When they tear it down 25-30 years from now it will NOT be missed.
... said Rondo on Aug 25, 2014 at 2:38 PM | link
How cool will this look when my grandson attends its implosion in 20 years. For the love of God the romans built BEAUTIFUL buildings that are still standing and functioning and we can't build a better convention center than this???? Where have we lost our way??? Is it money, stupidity, lack of vision, or all of the above and then some.
... said BS on Aug 25, 2014 at 4:17 PM | link
Yeah, I think every building built should be like the Pantheon...
For god sacks people it's a convention center, if you wanted a better, more impressive design it'd generally be more expensive .
... said Hock41 on Aug 25, 2014 at 4:37 PM | link
"Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it."
... said DSW on Aug 25, 2014 at 7:36 PM | link
Waa. Waaa! WAAAAAA!!!! It doesn't look like a 19th century building and everything that doesn't look like a 19th century building is UUUUUGLYYYYYY!!!!!!!
... said Waaa! on Aug 25, 2014 at 10:42 PM | link
To all the people complaining about it being boring or ugly, I am sure that if the owners had designed something more architecturally grand, everyone would be complaining about the price tag. Of course it is all about the cost. There comes a point where the cost becomes prohibitive, so this is what you get these days for what you are willing or able to pay. So I will choose to say that for what the price tag is, I think they have done a good job and five years after it is built, most people will think it is a great place.
People hated the "concept" of the Times Union Center 30 years ago too. They seem to be doing ok now.
... said Lillywhite on Aug 26, 2014 at 7:39 AM | link
Damn, you guys are whiners. There is nothing wrong with this design. A little bland, maybe - but a modest clean design with modern elements. Look at those massive (seamless?) windows above the main entrance - I'd like to see how they pull that off.
Anyone who thinks this resembles the Troy Atrium needs to have their eyes checked, ace.
... said Paul on Aug 26, 2014 at 10:12 AM | link
It feels like the architects said to the PR firm, "Tell them that we tried really hard." But seriously, this isn't the 1970s anymore. Albany should expect more out of their architecture. There's nothing that ties this in with its surrounding area expect for the fact that they used brick.
... said Albany Archives on Aug 26, 2014 at 2:06 PM | link
I'm just disappointed that they didn't include a store front in the Garage behind the Dewitt, that's going to be a dead street with function less empty walls, and parking.
... said Anthony on Aug 26, 2014 at 6:17 PM | link
I guess it's better than 99.9% of the buildings built in Albany between 1951 and 2014, but probably worse than 99.9% of the buildings built in Albany between 1678 and 1951. Guess when you are used to crap you look at this and say...wow that's so much nicer than the new Whole Foods building at Colonie Mall. You guys are right it's all how you look at things.
... said BS on Aug 26, 2014 at 7:27 PM | link
More dead space in downtown Albany. Made for everyone except the people who live in the city.
... said Sean on Aug 28, 2014 at 3:03 PM | link