#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

#WhereinAlbany - 21 Elk Street

This week's #WhereinAlbany is the beautiful 21 Elk Street! This property was originally built in 1845 as a residence for Henry C. Wheaton, a lawyer who worked for the United States Supreme Court and who later was the United States minister for Denmark and Prussia. Sometime between 1908 and 1932, the building was turned into apartments. In 1973 it was owned by a Mr. Ted Yund who turned the lower portion into a restaurant that later became 21 Elk Street Cafe. The building faces Lafayette Park, a historic plot of land in Albany that houses the State Capitol building. Like several other mid-19th-century historic buildings in the area, it contains gothic decorative elements. The Tudor archway framing the door and the Tudor drip molds surrounding the windows make it a pair with #17. 

17 Elk Street was also built for residential use for Henry C. Wheaton in 1845. However, in 1851 the building was bought by John V. L. Pruyn,a prominent lawyer at the time. Pruyn and his wife added a large dining room and a pantry that overlooked the neighboring garden. By 1973 the building had been made into law offices and the first floor had been completely remodeled. 

#WhereinAlbany Bleecker Place, Mansion Historic District

Last week’s #WhereinAlbany was two tremendous twins located on Bleecker Place (not to be confused with Bleecker Street located in the Pastures).

The houses on this street were built 1849-51, and there are 15 properties of a similar, simplistic style with touches and nods to Greek Revival & Italianate architecture; both popular in the country at the time.

Some of the homes feature eyebrow dormers (“small arched window that projects into the roof to allow light into an upper story”) as well as simple wooden cornices and pitched roofs. They are 3 bay, frame houses.

Did you know?

This street is part of the Mansion Historic District which was designated in 1982 in the south of the city, so-called due to proximity to the New York State Executive Mansion, the official home of Governors since 1875. This neighborhood was originally known for being the first suburban area in the city, with many wealthy families choosing to build their homes here during the last 18th Century. It borders the South End Historic District.

From Wikipedia: Bleecker is a Dutch-language occupational surname. Bleecker is an old spelling of (linnen)bleker ("linen bleacher"). Most if not all people listed below are descendants of Jan Jansen Bleecker/Bleeker, who came to New Amsterdam in 1658

#WhereinAlbany - 473 South Pearl Street

This week’s #WhereinAlbany snap was taken on a trip to our wonderful friends at Historic Cherry Hill on South Pearl Street. We walked past 473 and had to take a photo. It is in need of some love, but as you can see the details are stunning.

This beautiful Greek Revival building with Italianate details dates back to before 1854. It was owned by a Patrick Clowry from 1860 until 1885. By 1930 is was the home of a physician Conrad Rissberger who also practised out of the building.

See the inventory form below for more information and photos of 473 South Pearl Street.