Empire State Plaza, Albany (must see)

The Empire State Plaza, officially known as the Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza, is a striking and iconic capital center. Conceived by Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller, the Plaza was designed to be "the most electrifying capital in the world." Rockefeller's vision was brought to life by Wallace K. Harrison, a prominent architect and Rockefeller's personal friend, who was also the chief architect for Rockefeller Center. Construction of the Plaza began in 1965 and was completed in 1978, resulting in a cultural and architectural landmark that attracts thousands of visitors annually.

The Empire State Plaza is a marvel of Modern architecture, consisting of several steel and reinforced concrete buildings clad in imported stone. The only exception is The Egg, a performing arts venue that fully exposes its concrete structure and stands as a Brutalist contrast to the International Style of the other buildings. The entire complex is elevated on a six-story stone-clad Main Platform, supported by over 25,000 steel pilings driven deep into the soft glacial clay beneath. The design of the buildings, with their exterior columns and narrow windows, draws a visual connection to the World Trade Center towers in New York City, which were constructed around the same time.

The sheer scale of the Empire State Plaza is imposing, making it a dominant feature of Albany's skyline. The 44-story Corning Tower, the tallest building in New York State outside of New York City, includes an observation deck on its 42nd floor that offers panoramic views. The Main Platform of the Plaza is one of the largest buildings globally, incorporating 240,000,000 cubic feet of concrete and 600,000 cubic feet of stone sourced from three continents. The Swan Street Building, notable for its length exceeding a quarter of a mile, is inspired by the ancient Egyptian Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahri.

Beyond its architectural grandeur, the Empire State Plaza serves as a vibrant cultural hub. It hosts various events and exhibitions throughout the year, and during the winter months, one of the Plaza's reflecting pools transforms into an outdoor ice skating rink, adding to its community appeal.