All Over Albany

Those striking angles always stand out for me, too.

Also, that was once the corner of Wendell and Howard where the infamous House of Shelter stood. It was founded in 1868 with the purpose of “reclaiming and reforming women who had strayed from the path of virtue and were living in vice.”

By the early 1900s, the institution lost $30,000 when a trustee was convicted of stealing funds.

... said Paula on Feb 15, 2018 at 6:03 PM | link

Only a time machine back to a real architect would solve this.

... said kurt on Feb 15, 2018 at 8:15 PM | link

Ooh! That wall space is perfect for a mural or design. I'm a local artist and would love an opportunity to improve a space in Albany with some colorful art. We need it! I wonder who we'd contact to inquire about that?

... said Heather on Feb 16, 2018 at 8:03 AM | link

Yeah let's make the whole city look Ghetto..

... said JG on Feb 16, 2018 at 9:39 AM | link

Definitely needs a mural. Another spot that is begging for one is the Delaware Ave Price Chopper in Albany. The side along Elm St is a huge gray wall that takes up most of the block!

... said Jane on Feb 16, 2018 at 9:52 AM | link

I don't know who you could contact Heather, but I think having some of your awesomely fun robots on the wall, would add some whimsy to the street!

... said theshakes on Feb 16, 2018 at 10:47 AM | link

I don't know....there is elegance and simplicity in those massive expanses of white. (It may be the only interesting thing about the Albany Capital Center.) Do we really have to cutesy up very blank wall? I have enjoyed a lot of the murals in the area, but now it's getting knee jerk to have to cover every blank wall with whimsy. Let the bones of this building (and others) alone. I think there is going to come a time -- sooner than you think -- when these murals are going to look dated.

... said chrisck on Feb 16, 2018 at 12:00 PM | link

Regarding this section of Howard Street: is there any particular reason there are consistently cars parked along the westbound side of the street between the Capital Center and the back of the Renaissance hotel? It's clearly marked "No stopping any time," but for the past few months there have been a bunch of parked cars blocking the entire lane on most weekdays.

... said Matt on Feb 16, 2018 at 12:08 PM | link

The southern elevation of the is Albany Capital Center is even worse. positively stupefying that the entire facade is a black white wall. No windows, no architectural adornments, just one lonely sign. Odd, considering this is the side of the building that has the most exposure - how many cars pass it on the 787 fly over every day?!

... said Daleyplanit on Feb 16, 2018 at 1:27 PM | link

This seems oddly familiar (someone would say almost identical) to Nobody Asked Me, But...

https://www.facebook.com/TwoButtonsDeep/videos/1953669008233385/

Do you guys want to guest star or something?

... said Taylor on Feb 18, 2018 at 9:29 AM | link

@Heather: Here's the contact info for the ACC.

@chrisck: I hear what you're saying about covering every blank space. But the way it is now almost looks, to me, incomplete or something. It's like the behind-the-scene film footage from a big movie where the CGI hasn't been inserted yet.

@Taylor: It didn't occur to me until you mentioned it here and on Twitter. We wouldn't intentionally try to step on your bit. If anything, I had been thinking about a recurring feature we used to do called "You didn't actually ask, but..." But thank you for mentioning it. I'm always happy to talk.

... said Greg on Feb 20, 2018 at 11:29 AM | link