{{Short description|Skyscraper in Albany, New York}} {{Use American English|date=February 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox building |name = Erastus Corning Tower |image = CorningTowerPanorama.jpg |image_size = 187px |caption = A view of the Corning Tower from the north |location = Albany, New York, United States |coordinates = {{coord|42.648997|-73.759836|region:US|display=inline,title}} |status = |construction_start_date = |completion_date = 1973 |opening_date = |building_type = Offices |antenna_spire = |roof = {{convert|589|ft|m|abbr=on}} |top_floor = |floor_count = 42 |floor_area = |architect = Wallace Harrison and Max Abramovitz |main_contractor = |developer = |owner = |website = {{URL|https://empirestateplaza.ny.gov/corning-tower-observation-deck}} }} The '''Erastus Corning Tower''', also known as the '''Mayor Erastus Corning 2nd Tower''' or simply the '''Corning Tower''', is a skyscraper located in downtown Albany, New York. Completed in 1973 and sided with Vermont Pearl marble and glass, the state office building is part of the Empire State Plaza. At 589 feet (180 m) and 44 stories<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.emporis.com/application/?nav=building&id=130744&lng=3 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110605040120/http://www.emporis.com/application/?nav=building&id=130744&lng=3 | url-status= usurped | archive-date= June 5, 2011 | title= Erastus Corning Tower | last= | first= | access-date= 31 March 2010 }}</ref> in height, it is the tallest skyscraper in the state of New York outside of New York City. Erastus Corning 2nd, the building's namesake, was the mayor of Albany for over 40 years from 1941 to 1983. The tower was dedicated to him in March 1983 during his hospitalization. Before that dedication, it was known as the "Tower Building".

The Corning Tower houses the New York State Department of Health and the New York State Office of General Services. Two New York State Department of Transportation traffic cameras are located on the building to monitor nearby traffic conditions. From 2000 to 2004, it was the tallest structure in the ''World Almanac's'' list of "Other Tall Buildings in North American Cities".

==Observation deck== An observation deck is located on the Corning Tower's 42nd floor. It offers expansive views of Albany, the Hudson River, and the surrounding area. Panels below the windows give information about the visible landmarks. The observation deck, however, does not feature a 360-degree view because it has no windows on the west side. A nonstop elevator to the 42nd floor reaches a speed of 26&nbsp;km/h (16 MPH). The deck is open to the public for free Monday through Friday from 10:00&nbsp;a.m. to 4:00&nbsp;p.m. Visitors can access the observation deck via the plaza or concourse levels. Upon taking office in 2010, Governor Andrew Cuomo eliminated a photo ID requirement.<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Empire State Plaza: Corning Tower Observation Deck|url=https://ogs.ny.gov/ESP/obdeck.asp|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919211622/https://ogs.ny.gov/ESP/obdeck.asp|archive-date=2018-09-19|access-date=|website=|publisher=New York State Office of General Services (OGS)}}</ref>

==Gallery== <gallery class="center" widths="175px" heights="150px"> File:EmpirePlaza18.jpg|The Corning Tower viewed from Eagle Street. Image:Reich-zustand-piazza-01.jpg|The Empire State Plaza, with the Corning Tower on the left. Image:Albany8.jpg|The Albany skyline. The Corning Tower is on the far left. Image:EmpirePlaza16.jpg File:Corning tower - Observation deck view.JPG|A view from the 42nd floor observation deck. File:Corning Tower From Empire State Plaza.jpg|Erastus Corning Tower as seen from Empire State Plaza. </gallery>

==Nearby attractions== *Empire State Plaza *New York State Capitol Building *New York State Museum *The Egg *Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

==See also== *List of tallest buildings in Albany, New York *List of tallest buildings in Upstate New York

==References== '''Notes''' {{reflist}} {{notelist}} '''Sources''' *{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20040629184415/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=130744 Erastus Corning Tower]}} at Emporis Buildings *[https://web.archive.org/web/20060513204640/http://www.albanycounty.com/departments/achor/corning.asp?id=977 Erastus Corning 2nd Biography at AlbanyCounty.com]

==External links== {{Commons category|Erastus Corning Tower}} *[https://empirestateplaza.ny.gov/corning-tower-observation-deck Corning Tower Observation Deck] *[http://www.timesunion.com/traffic/cams/cam016.asp NYS DOT Corning Tower East Traffic Camera] *[http://www.timesunion.com/traffic/cams/cam012.asp NYS DOT Corning Tower North Traffic Camera] *[http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=a22feee50c42aa2a1067ff21d80665ac&prevstart=0 3d model]{{Dead link|date=March 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Empire State Plaza Category:Skyscrapers in Albany, New York Category:Tourist attractions in Albany, New York Category:Skyscraper office buildings in New York (state) Category:Office buildings completed in 1966 Category:Harrison & Abramovitz buildings