News Article

60 State Street: Home to Fascinating History & World-Class Architecture

July 26, 2024

Anchoring lower State Street in Downtown Albany, 60 State is home to a striking Beaux-Arts building featuring fascinating history inside and out!

In 1902, National Commercial Bank & Trust appointed renowned New York architects Edward York and Philip Sawyer to craft a grand new headquarters to be known as Albany’s “temple of finance”, utilizing their lauded specialty in Beaux-Arts design. This new location intended to serve as a lavish hub for issuing, printing, and circulation of bank bills, as well as a dedicated custodian of funds for the Treasury of New York State.

On the exterior, roman numerals denote the year the bank was established (1826) and the year the building itself was erected (1903). Four massive pilasters line the front while an intricate gabled roof rests above elegant embellishments upon both the delicately rusticated façade and around the striking pedimented entryway.

On the inside, the grand entrance features 45-foot Carrera marble walls that tower above the main room’s mosaic floor, accented with golden etchings which ascend to support a striking ornate painted ceiling. Just beyond the main room, an oak-paneled presidential suite complete with hidden doors can be found, along with a 6’ thick bank vault that opens to reveal safety deposit boxes and even more fine Beaux-Arts touches.

The bank operated as a driving force in Albany’s renowned financial industry until its closure in 2004. In 2013, The Gordon Companies restored this magnificent structure while preserving its historic value and created Ruggiero Hospitality’s grand ballroom/luxury event venue Sixty State Place! Today, you can find modern amenities and 21st Century updates within the walls of 60 State, which makes for a stunning venue for your next event!

---