#WhereinAlbany 385-389 State Street, Center Square-Hudson Park Historic District

Located in the Center Square-Hudson Park Historic District, 385-389 State Street is a particularly salient structure amongst the street’s red brick rowhouses. The building was constructed between 1896 and 1897 by notable Albany architect Marcus T. Reynolds, who received the commission from his family. Reynolds was only twenty-eight years old at the time and was looking to help further his fledgling career. The project did just that, and 385-389 State Street set a high-quality precedent for many of his future works. The building consists of three houses, all of which were ostensibly for his cousins, William Bayard and Dr. Howard van Rensselaer (as well as their mother, Laura). However, following the structure’s completion, 387 was sold to Frances Hyuck, whose family were the owners of the Hyuck Felt Mills, 389 was then sold to banker Samuel S. Bullions. Only 385 was ultimately inhabited by William Bayard van Rensselaer as well as his wife, Louisa. 

Architecture

Reynolds designed the buildings after spending one and a half years in Europe. As you can see in the images, the architectural style was heavily influenced by his excursion, with the structure mimicking that of a Venetian Palazzo (based upon Italian palaces). The first floor’s exterior features a unique masonry pattern made from terra cotta, alternating between an interesting fish scale and vermiculated (worm-like pattern) design. For the second floor, Reynolds chose to add arched windows with red stone pillars down the center. Looking up to the top of the building in the frieze, you can see a flaming-basket pattern which was taken from the Van Rensselaer coat of arms. The rest of the building wall was constructed using common masonry techniques. 

The interior of the building has also undergone significant changes. Shortly after moving in, William Bayard van Rensselaer and his wife brought in decorative details from the Van Rensselaer Manor House, which had recently been deconstructed. For many years, the building was used as a girls' dormitory for SUNY Albany. That is until the 1970s, when the structure was turned into apartments. The building remains a residential space to this day. 

By Liam Kelly

Links to building inventory sheets: 385, 387, 389
Waite, Diana S. Albany Architecture. New York: Mount Ida Press, 1993.
Newspaper Article: Old Albany house goes modern