Alfred E. Smith Building

Infobox Modern building


caption=The Alfred E. Smith Building viewed from street level
name=Alfred E. Smith Building
location_town=Albany, New York
location_country=United States
architect=William E. Haugaard and Sullivan W. Jones
client=
engineer=
construction_start_date=
completion_date=1928
date_demolished=
cost=
structural_system=
style=Art Deco|

The Alfred E. Smith Building, officially known as the Alfred E. Smith State Office Building 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 State and the Democratic Party's nomination for the 1928 Presidential Election. The Art Deco skyscraper has 34 stories and at 388 feet (118 m) is Albany's second tallest structure (after the Erastus Corning Tower). Completed in 1928, it houses offices of the New York State government. The building underwent an extensive renovation that began in 2002. This modernization, which cost at least $103 million, is now finished.

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

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 with a mural depicting famous New Yorkers. An underground tunnel connects the building to the Capitol. The skyscraper is constructed of limestone and granite, and offers spectacular views of Albany and the nearby landscape.

References

* [http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=130735 Alfred E. Smith State Office Building] at Emporis Buildings

*"Modernizing a landmark is a taxing task: Smith building renovation requires an eye for detail along with lots of cash." Elizabeth Benjamin. "Times Union". November 6, 2005.

Nearby attractions

*Empire State Plaza
*Lark Street
*New York State Capitol Building

ee also

*Lark Street - 2 blocks awayOther Albany skyscrapers include:
*Erastus Corning Tower
*Home Savings Bank Building
*One Commerce Plaza

External links