Alfred E. Smith Building

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Building Information
Alfred E. Smith Building
The Alfred E. Smith Building viewed from the east
Name	Alfred E. Smith Building
Location	Albany, New York
Country	United States
Architect	William E. Haugaard and Sullivan W. Jones
Completion Date	1928
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 meters) 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, 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. A new 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.

Side view of the building looking up from street level

[edit] References

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.