Period
1867-1899
New York State Capitol: Tower Hall
Location
Albany, New York
Notables
National Historic Landmark
HISTORICAL LEGACY
Tower Hall is a 50-foot square space located at the central upper portion of the east quadrant of the Capitol. The original configuration involved an 80-foot-tall rotunda under a 150-foot tower. Owing to structural problems related to foundations, the tower was never built. Over the intervening years, the tall rotunda space had been filled in with floors at each respective level, with the fifth floor being Tower Hall at the upper most level.
Photo by Laurie Donald, Bernstein Associates Photographers, property of NYS OGS, used with permission
PROJECT OVERVIEW
When the adjacent Assembly Staircase restoration and reconstruction was initiated, it involved removing infill offices within that space, the offices had to be accommodated elsewhere. It was decided that Tower Hall would be completely renovated, with a new mezzanine installed to provide for these displaced offices.
RESEARCH & DOCUMENTATION
MCWB researched and constructed a plan that involved removing layers of plaster and infill to reveal the decorative stonework and designing a functional mezzanine space that would provide a modern office feel while still preserving the capitol’s historic fabric.
DESIGN
New designs for the space included the mezzanine with curved stairs that added an additional story, creating more working areas for the state to utilize. MCWB worked to design a functional space that would not disrupt the original historical fabric of the room.
REALIZATION
The result is a carefully restored 50’x50’x30’ high historic space with a minimalist modern mezzanine insertion and separating corridor wall. The space is now occupied by Bill Drafting, a department that combines the efforts of the Senate and Assembly.
