Alfred E. Smith Building

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Alfred E. Smith Building
AlfredESmithBuildingPanorama.jpg
The Alfred E. Smith Building viewed from the New York State Capitol
Alfred E. Smith Building
Former namesState Office Building [1]
General information
Type Office building
Architectural style Art Deco
Location Albany, New York, United States
Coordinates 42°39′14″N73°45′36″W / 42.653986°N 73.75993°W / 42.653986; -73.75993
Construction started1927
Completed1930
Opened1931 [1]
Height387 ft (118 m)
Technical details
Floor count34
Design and construction
Architect(s) William E. Haugaard and Sullivan W. Jones
References
[2] [3] [4] [5]

The Alfred E. Smith Building, known officially as the Alfred E. Smith State Office Building (formerly the State Office Building) [1] and sometimes called simply the Smith Building, is a structure located in downtown Albany, New York across the street from the New York State Capitol and One Commerce Plaza. The building's namesake, Alfred Emmanuel Smith, was a four-term governor of New York and the Democratic Party's nomination for the 1928 presidential election. The Art Deco skyscraper has 34 stories and as of December 2024, is Albany's second tallest structure (after the Erastus Corning Tower) at 388 feet (118 m). Completed in 1930, it houses offices of the New York State government. [2] [3]

Contents

History

In 1926, the New York State Legislature allocated $1 million to purchase the site for a new government office building at Swan Street between Washington Avenue and State Street in Albany, New York. [1] Subsequently, buildings at the site were demolished to make way for the new office building. This would have included the 8-story Fort Frederick Apartments. The apartment, however, was moved to the adjacent plot at State Street using railroad tracks in late 1926. [1] [6] [7] The relocation project was managed by John Eichleay Jr. Company of Pittsburgh. [8]

Construction of the Smith Building began in 1927. [2] It was designed by William E. Haugaard and Sullivan W. Jones. [9]

The office building was completed in 1930. [2] Upon its completion, it became the tallest building in Albany. It was then opened to the public in 1931. At the time of its opening, the building was called the "State Office Building". The State Legislature later renamed it to "Alfred E. Smith State Office Building" in 1945. [1]

It was built originally with an open-air observation deck on the 31st floor, 350 feet (110 m) above the ground; this deck was closed in 1976 when the enclosed Corning Tower Observation Deck on the 42nd floor, 589 feet (180 m) up, was opened. [10]

An extensive renovation of the building began in 2002. [11] The project was managed by BBL Construction Services and URS. [12] This modernization, which cost at least $103 million, [13] was completed in 2006. [3] [14]

Design

The Alfred E. Smith Building has several distinctive features. These include the engraving of the names of all 62 New York State counties around the street-level facade and an Art Deco lobby [1] with a mural depicting famous New Yorkers. A tunnel connects the building to the Capitol. [9] The skyscraper is constructed of limestone and granite, [3] and has views of Albany and the nearby landscape.

Tenants

Prior to reconstruction, the building was home to the state Comptroller's Office. [15] With the renovation complete, the new tenants include the New York State Department of Civil Service, Department of State, New York State Banking Department, New York State Liquor Authority, and Division of the Budget.

See also

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References

Citations

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Metzgar, Sarah (November 9, 1997). "Building Reflects Vision of 'Happy Warrior'". Times Union . Retrieved December 29, 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Alfred E. Smith State Office Building". The Skyscraper Center. Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat . Retrieved December 29, 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Alfred E. Smith State Office Building". Emporis . Archived from the original on October 17, 2015. Retrieved June 12, 2006.
  4. ↑ "Alfred E. Smith State Office Building". SkyscraperPage . Retrieved December 29, 2024.
  5. ↑ "Alfred E. Smith Building". Structurae . Retrieved December 30, 2024.
  6. ↑ Bender et al. 1993, p. 126.
  7. ↑ Dalton, Joseph (January 16, 2017). "Photos: 1926 relocation of Albany's Fort Frederick apartment building". Times Union. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Moving Building Easy". The Pittsburgh Press . November 29, 1926. p. 26. Retrieved January 23, 2025– via Google News.
  9. 1 2 Bender et al. 1993, p. 82.
  10. ↑ Metzgar, Sarah (November 9, 1997). "Once-proud skyscraper a disrespected relic". Times Union. Retrieved June 6, 2009.
  11. ↑ Benjamin, Elizabeth (November 6, 2005). "Modernizing a landmark is a taxing task: Smith building renovation requires an eye for detail along with lots of cash". Times Union. Retrieved July 13, 2006.
  12. ↑ Harlin, Kevin (March 22, 2001). "Albany Firm to Oversee Work on State Buildings". Times Union. Retrieved December 29, 2024.
  13. ↑ Gurnet, Kate (December 18, 2005). "Shedding new light on skyline". Times Union. Retrieved December 29, 2024.
  14. ↑ "Governor Rededicates Alfred E. Smith State Office Building" (Press release). Governor of New York. August 16, 2006. Archived from the original on September 29, 2006. Retrieved December 29, 2024.
  15. ↑ Swearingen, Jacquelyn (February 12, 2002). "Comptroller Settles into New Headquarters". Times Union. Retrieved December 29, 2024.

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