As the oldest place within the Empire State that you can possibly visit, Albany is one destination whose history you can instantaneously feel as soon as you step foot on the streets of this city. While it’s easy to float through life with the assumption that Albany’s beautiful buildings have been here for ages, you may be surprised to find out how much of this city was only built within the last 50-years! If you’re ready to jump into the past and have your mind blown, then keep scrolling to see what the Empire State Plaza once looked like many moons ago.

If you've ever visited Albany, then you already know the heart of New York's State Capital is the Empire State Plaza - a true architectural gem of the East Coast.
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While it's easy to feel like the Empire State Plaza has always been here, the plaza was actually only completed back in 1976.
AlbanyGroup Archive/Flickr
Officially known as The Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza, construction on the plaza began all the way back in 1965.
AlbanyGroup Archive/Flickr
In total, it cost roughly $2 billion dollars to have one of New York's most famous plazas completed. Here in this photo you can see the Erastus Corning Tower coming along - the tallest building in Albany!
AlbanyGroup Archive/Flickr

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Created after Governor Nelson Rockefeller was inspired by Princess Juliana of the Netherlands, the governor decided to transform "the Gut" of Albany into something truly spectacular.
AlbanyGroup Archive/Flickr
One of the most unique venues that you can possibly step foot inside, it's always a pleasure to set your sights on The Egg in Albany...
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...but did you ever see what this egg looked like when it was cracked open?
AlbanyGroup Archive/Flickr
A masterpiece that was well worth the wait, but also quite controversial to build at the time, it's easy to forget all of the time and effort that was put into building this popular space in Albany.
AlbanyGroup Archive/Flickr
So, the next time you find yourself driving through Albany or exploring the Empire State Plaza, be sure to keep these historic photos in mind and try to imagine what this all once looked like during the 1960s and 1970s!
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To learn even more about the construction of the Empire State Plaza, be sure to watch this fascinating clip below!


To find yourself even further fascinated by the city of Albany, then be sure to read about how New York’s State Capital Is The Oldest Place That You Can Visit In The Empire State!con

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Empire State Plaza, 100 S Mall Arterial, Albany, NY 12242, USA