Today's moment of fenestration and reflection
While waiting for a donut this past weekend, we took a moment to admire the way the sunlight was striking the buildings on the north side of Maiden Lane in downtown Albany -- and how that sunlight was then being reflected onto the lane by the windows.
Speaking of the windows on those buildings... they are pleasingly arranged and adorned! Bonus pics after the jump if you're so inclined.
Look up
The photos are above in large format -- click or scroll all the way up.
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Comments
How cool is that! I always felt maiden lane would be an incredible place to reactivate ....could be like little cute streets in Quebec with little shops and a little snow and some lights on at night....I can dream can't I?
... said BS on Mar 28, 2016 at 10:10 PM | link
Great pictures - thank you!
... said Ron on Mar 28, 2016 at 11:16 PM | link
What a great stylistic element. If anyone's architecture-hungry, the load-bearing structures above an opening is called a lintel.
I love these old, winding Albany streets. It would be amazing to have any reason to walk down them other than sightseeing. These buildings could be great for small shops, boutiques, or anything else in the vein of Saratoga, Hudson, Beacon, Saugerties, Kingston, Troy... come to think of it many upstate cities have nice, walkable shops within their downtown. Make the parking garages free on weekends and away we go.
... said Sean on Mar 29, 2016 at 8:43 AM | link
Even though we just passed the spring equinox, the sun is still fairly low in the southern sky, especially in the morning & evening. Those windows face more or less south, and in a couple of months the higher angle will make them a little less dramatic. Much of Albany is on a roughly east-west grid, walk around in December and you'll see some magic from that low winter sun.
... said -B on Mar 29, 2016 at 9:10 AM | link
Hear, hear! I’ve always romanticized about the potential for this little lane. So many cities have utilized lanes/arcades to do some fantastic development and draw pedestrians out. Definitely some missed opportunities by Albany, which could really liven up this side of N. Pearl and may even help promote development along the main drag. I did attend a meeting on how to bring retail downtown a few years back (just as Sheehan started) and I know a lot of interested parties have explored the idea, but the property owners were demanding exuberant rents that made it unfeasible. Essentially, they expect everyone who opens up shop to be a restaurant with a liquor license, for that is the only business model that can meet their high rental demands. If I remember correctly, even the owner of Dali Lama, who tried to really bring this lane to life was forced out because of the property owners, who had expected her business to bring in more revenue and she refused to entertain the notion of selling alcohol to meet those expectations. If true, on all accounts, pretty sad and I’m not sure what the city can specifically do to alter this “free-market†demand by those who own the real estate on this stretch.
... said Rich on Mar 29, 2016 at 9:37 AM | link
This was where I wanted to open my bookstore! I was going to call it Beverwyck Books but I couldn't get funding. :( What a great walk-way.
... said KatherineSass on Mar 29, 2016 at 9:43 AM | link
Any idea who's up there?
... said Jamie on Mar 29, 2016 at 10:27 AM | link
I remember going to charming little shops on that lane.
Wish i could remember what they were?
... said mg on Mar 29, 2016 at 12:07 PM | link
mg, there was a florist at the corner of Maiden Lane & James St, and the south side of the lane (right side in the photo) used to have the Branch Office pub (still one of my favorite names, "sorry honey, important meeting at the branch office tonight"). Both have been empty for a while. Past James, the north (left) side of Maiden has a small park and the south (right) side is the Arcade building, at one time before the remodel it held an art gallery, and a few different casual daytime restaurants, most recently Lunch I believe (which moved around the corner to face Broadway and has been replaced there by Saati).
Before all that, I'm not sure, but I'll bet someone knows.
... said -B on Mar 29, 2016 at 3:32 PM | link