A Visit to Albany, NY

New York

October 2025

History & Controversy at Albany's Empire State Plaza

On our visit to Albany, NY, we started at the Empire State Plaza. Today, it is a significant landmark; however, it is surrounded by several controversies, including forced displacement and high costs.

In the late 1950s, then-Governor Nelson Rockefeller envisioned the beginning of a “new Albany.” Apparently, the final push came in 1959 when Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands visited for the 350th anniversary of the Hudson-Champlain exploration. While riding through the streets with the princess, the governor was reportedly ashamed to show the “historic but shabby capital city.”

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The official groundbreaking began in 1965, bulldozing approximately 40 city blocks. The project displaced a thriving neighborhood known as “The Gut”. Around 7,000 residents (3,600 to 3,700 households) and about 400 businesses were forced to relocate. The largest civic construction project of the 20th century was completed by the late 1970s. The Egg, a structure slightly tilted and only supported by a massive concrete stem buried 60 feet, was the last building to be completed in 1978. The total estimate was $1.7 billion at the time. 
The famous “I ❤️ NY” logo was designed in 1977 by graphic designer Milton Glaser for the state to promote tourism and cultural pride. Controversies or not, as tourists, we were admiring the plaza and the sign. Still, after seeing an old photo of the original houses and buildings, I have a gut feeling that Albany’s original vibrant heart, filled with people rather than tall buildings, would have been even more worth the visit.

Our Brief Capitol Visit with Construction and Closure

Our second stop was at the New York State Capitol. The construction of this enormous structure, a three-acre, five-story granite building, took 32 years, from 1867 to 1899. Architecturally, the building is a stunning combination of Romanesque Revival and French Renaissance Revival styles.

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The front of the building was, regrettably, hardly visible. The large, ceremonial Eastern Approach stairs were undergoing a thorough renovation and were fenced entirely off, effectively blocking the view. I still managed to take a picture as best as I could through the barrier.
Since the building was closed on Sunday, we knew we would miss the famous “Million Dollar Staircase” inside. We walked around the building to fully take in the view. We will definitely need to revisit this Capitol in the future to see its interior and renovated staircase.

Our Brief Capitol Visit with Construction and Closure

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Dates

Sunday, October 5, 2025

Distance

6.41 mi

Moving Time

2:36:16 hrs

WEATHER

70 °F, light air

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