A grand Romanesque-style building, Albany’s City Hall was designed in 1882 by Henry Hobson Richardson, then considered one of America’s greatest architect.
Constructed of Rhode Island granite with darker stone trim, the building features a profusion of arches, a pyramidal-roofed 202-foot-tall corner tower, and a 49-bell carillon — the first municipal carillon in the United States.
Considered to be among the most Romanesque of all of Richardson’s buildings, it contains many of his trademark features, including intricately patterned stonework, rich floral carvings, and fanciful finials and gargoyles.
The cornerstone was laid by the local Masonic fraternity in 1881; the building was completed and opened two years later. Because of budget restrictions the original interior was simply designed, consisting chiefly of beaded board partitions, and thus not fireproof; it was entirely rebuilt in 1916-18 from designs by Albany architects Ogden & Gander.
The mayor’s office is on the first floor of the tower and includes a painting of the city’s first mayor, Pieter Schuyler. On the third floor are several paintings reflcting Albany’s history.
The city hall remains essentially as altered at that time. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972; it is also a contributing property to the Lafayette Park Historic District (centered on Lafayette Park across the street).
Albany City Hall houses the office of the Mayor, the Common Council chamber, the city and traffic courts, as well as other city services. The building is located at 24 Eagle Street in Albany, NY. It’s open (free to the public) Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5 pm. The building is handicap accessible.
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