All that remains of the Quintessence building
After hearing today that the former Quintessence diner building on New Scotland Ave in Albany had been demolished, we stopped for a look. All that remains is the doorway and the foundation.
The old diner building -- and everything else on its block -- is making way for the Park South redevelopment project. Demolition of the two full blocks is almost complete. And construction has started on the parking garage for the project.
Here are a few more pics...
Columbia Development, the company coordinating the Park South project, has said previously that elements of the Quintessence building would be saved and incorporated into the new mixed use building at the site. (Apparently the diner building had been rotting away from the inside for years. The building had literally been free to anyone who would take it away.)
The now almost-totally-demolished block between New Scotland Ave, Morris Ave, Dana Ave, and Robin Street.
The parking garage going up on the block between Morris and Myrtle.
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Comments
The only thing in life that is permanent is that nothing is permanent.
Also, parking garages.
... said LB on Jan 26, 2015 at 5:16 PM | link
How depressing and sad. :-(
... said Jessica R W on Jan 26, 2015 at 6:10 PM | link
Albany Med is really doing it's best to outdo the destruction of neighborhoods that the State Plaza accomplished in Albany during the late 50's, scrubbing the city of charm and soul, while replacing red brick and brownstone with the sort of bleak buildings only a drunk Soviet architect could look at with love.
... said Big 'Vic' Proton on Jan 26, 2015 at 8:37 PM | link
Lots of good memories in that old diner. Goodbye my friend. seems Albany doesn't like any buildings with a soul. Going to stick around Troy from now on.
... said ace on Jan 27, 2015 at 10:08 AM | link
@Big 'Vic' Proton
I agree with you that the new buildings being constructed in this neighborhood are essentially soulless boxes (like pretty much everything else Columbia/BBL are involved in). With that said, the buildings they are replacing were nothing special, and most were in a state of disrepair.
The only building in that entire area that had any real character was the Quintessence building. It's too bad they weren't able to salvage any of it.
I like that they are trying hard to make a vibrant urban neighborhood with mixed-use buildings; but they really need to work with a new architectural firm. HCP Architects have to offer the LEAST imaginative designs I have ever seen. Apparently whatever software they use only has two color choices- tan and red/brick. The entire neighborhood is almost an urban Levittown where every building looks identical.
... said Kman518 on Jan 27, 2015 at 10:18 AM | link
Ahhh! Finally! This parking garage will be a great addition to the neighboring Washington Park. I can't wait for the cricket boxes to be built next to it. More parking garages, please. More parking garages! Please, condemn the whole city and build many, many extensions to the Albany Med industrial complex, its parking garages, and the warmth of the South Mall. What a city! And, also, keep all of it off the tax rolls. Too bad we didn't get a casino, too.
... said JoeA on Jan 27, 2015 at 1:21 PM | link
Pouring a little out for Quintessence bloody mary's, and lovably weird black bathrooms. You will be very missed.
... said Alison on Jan 27, 2015 at 3:38 PM | link
HeHe!! I knew it, all the strategic partners behind this transformational project, claiming big things (telling us to just ignore that ugly, unnecessary parking garage) indeed opt to kick off with old-school, suburban appeasement...by starting off with the parking garage they told us to ignore. Way to go with not focusing on the mix-use retail and density rich apartments. I knew it!!
... said Bill on Jan 27, 2015 at 3:41 PM | link
Looks sort of Tardis-esque sitting there.
... said MmmK on Jan 27, 2015 at 11:11 PM | link
I'd hang that in my house.
... said Cyril on Jan 28, 2015 at 9:01 AM | link