Architectural Detail

This bit of Gothic style over the door of a vacant building at the eastern end of the decaying Wellington Row always catches my eye. I can't remember what this building housed when I was little, though I've passed it at least once a week since childhood and recall other businesses along this street very well, such as the Chinese restaurant that used to be a door or two up from here.

I love the stylized letters, the heraldic-style shields, and the fine details on the columns.

Philip Livingston

The recent news about the planned sale of the old Philip Livingston school building reminded me that I photographed this plaque not too long ago.

The plaque commemorates the birthplace - Livingston Manor, long since gone - of Philip Livingston, a New York delegate to the Continental Congress and Signer of the Declaration of Independence.

The plaque is affixed to the wall of a building at the corner of State and Pearl Streets, once known as Elm Tree Corner. Now, it's home to a bank and one of my favorite places...a Starbucks coffee shop.

Stating the obvious

I spotted this bicycle rack outside the College of St. Rose's Picotte Hall Art Center on State Street just east of Lark today. A true case of form indicating function, the tubular metal rack is itself a simple, stylized bike.

Though I have to add it's far too cold for riding bikes today...no doubt why the rack was unused.

Overlooking

Perched high on the facade of 74 State Street are three rather stern-looking faces atop stylized winged bodies which overlook the busy block below and are probably overlooked by the scores of people passing below.

74 State is a particularly handsome building on lower State Street Hill between Green and North Pearl. It was built for offices in 1910 and originally known as the Kinney and Woodward Building. Recently renovated as a hotel, their site gives a good summary of the structure's history and some remarks by Albany author William Kennedy. Click here to read.