Can you imagine a bustling corner, once home to a grand hotel and a stately elm tree? Here at Ten Eyck Plaza, we uncover layers of Albany’s past. Ten Eyck Plaza stands as a testament to urban renewal, but its story begins much earlier. The northwest corner of State and Pearl streets has been a focal point for centuries. Long before the plaza, a prominent elm tree, rumored to be planted by Philip Livingston himself, graced this intersection. In the mid-1800s, the Boardman and Gray piano company occupied a building here. Later, the magnificent Tweddle Hall, a hub for meetings and events, replaced the piano company. A fire destroyed Tweddle Hall, leading to the construction of a second, less ornate structure. This building, too, eventually made way for the expansion of the iconic Ten Eyck Hotel.
The Ten Eyck Hotel, a symbol of Albany’s prosperity, rose majestically on this corner. The original nine-story structure opened in 1899, boasting fireproof construction and luxurious amenities. The hotel expanded in the mid-1910s, taking over the site of the former Tweddle Building. Its towering presence dominated the Albany skyline. The Ten Eyck hosted presidents, celebrities, and theater luminaries. Sadly, suburbanization and changing travel patterns led to the hotel’s decline. It closed in 1968.
In the 1970s, the area underwent a dramatic transformation. Ten Eyck Plaza emerged as part of a large-scale urban renewal project. The former hotel, along with the historic Albany Savings Bank, was demolished. The plaza’s current buildings, including state offices and the Hilton hotel, replaced the grand structures of the past. Ten Eyck Plaza, while functional, lacks the architectural charm and street-level engagement of its predecessors. The bustling corner, once alive with activity, now feels somewhat detached from the city’s pulse. Yet, the echoes of Albany’s rich history still resonate here at Ten Eyck Plaza, reminding us of the constant cycle of change and renewal.