Your view here takes in the New York State Capitol, seat of New York's state government, set in Capitol Park along State Street as part of the Empire State Plaza complex. This is the building that houses the New York State Legislature and that was completed in 1899 at a cost of US$25 million — equivalent to $794 million in modern dollars — making it the most expensive government building of its time. Its present form was built between 1867 and 1899, with three teams of architects working on the design.
Before this stone and story took shape, legislative sessions were held in different buildings until Albany was declared the State capital in 1797; from that time until 1811 the Legislature met at the Old Albany City Hall. The first State Capitol, designed by Albany native Philip Hooker, was started in 1804, inaugurated in 1812, and remained in use until 1879, when this current building was inaugurated. Recognized for its significance, the Capitol was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971, included in the Lafayette Park Historic District in 1978, and declared a National Historic Landmark in 1979.
State Street and Capitol Park frame the Capitol, with the Empire State Plaza just beyond.