Friday, July 31, 2009

Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, Syracuse

Niagara Mohawk, SyracuseWe designed our two-day roadtrip from New York to Buffalo so we could stay in Syracuse overnight to see the fabulous Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation building.

The building did not disappoint us and after dinner we went back to check it out in all its floodlit glory.

Designed by Buffalo architectural firm Bley and Lyman for Niagara Mohawk's predecessor the Niagara Hudson Power Corporation, construction was completed in 1932.

Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, SyracuseThe exterior facade features a large stainless steel figure as well as other decorative elements on the spandrels between the windows.

In the lobby there are four vitrolite panels bearing stylised murals relating to various aspects of power generation. These are titled Gas, Illumination, Generation and Transmission.

Niagara Mohawk, Syracuse

There is no doubt, however, that my camera kept returning the 'Spirit of Light' as the figure on the façade was named as a result of a competition.

Spirit of Light, Syracuse

Posted by David Thompson
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9 comments:

  1. FetaAugust 12, 2009 at 10:33 AM

    Easily one of my favorite buildings of all time. I'm thinking about moving to Syracuse specifically because of this building, in fact.

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  2. David ThompsonAugust 12, 2009 at 10:44 AM

    That sounds a bit extreme but it is a fabulous building.

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  3. zippychikJuly 31, 2010 at 4:25 AM

    So you do have the Niagara Mohawk Building here. I would have been disappointed if you didn't. I've lived in Syracuse most of my life, it's interesting to know that someone would love that building enough to want to move here.

    You ought to post photos of the building lit at night. It is spectacular!

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  4. David ThompsonJuly 31, 2010 at 9:55 AM

    For sure zippychik, spectacular night and day.

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  5. AnonymousNovember 20, 2010 at 8:38 AM

    Great buildings do make people move to cities. Syracuse has plenty. I just relocated here from Brooklyn and the beautiful buildings are a part of the draw, among other things.

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  6. David ThompsonNovember 20, 2010 at 1:56 PM

    That's fantastic. You are the example of why cities must preserve their older buildings. Some become icons and attract new citizens.

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  7. MMarch 10, 2012 at 12:29 PM

    Jaw-dropping stunning design. Less of those Trump buildings, and more of this kind of buildings please!

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  8. AnonymousJanuary 29, 2014 at 7:05 AM

    every architecture student in america should be required to visit this shrine.

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