Niagara Mohawk Building, Syracuse

The Niagara Mohawk Building in Syracuse stands as a radiant emblem of the Art Deco movement and a monument to America’s early electrification era. Completed in 1932 during the height of the Great Depression, the building served as the headquarters for the Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation-then the largest electric utility company in the United States. Designed by Melvin L. King of King + King Architects, in collaboration with Bley and Lyman of Buffalo, the building merges a ziggurat-inspired form with modern materials and glowing ornamentation, expressing both the gravitas and optimism of the electrical age.

Its most striking feature is the 28-foot-tall stainless steel “Spirit of Light” sculpture, a winged figure symbolizing the power and promise of electricity. Flanked by tube lights and chrome detailing, the facade was originally designed to illuminate the night sky, projecting the company’s vision of progress. Though the lights were dimmed during World War II blackouts, a major restoration in 1999 revived the original display and introduced color-changing technology, thanks to lighting designer Howard Brandston.

In 2010, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places, recognized not only for its architectural innovation but also for its cultural significance as a beacon of 20th-century industrial ambition. Continued preservation efforts, including a roof and façade restoration and a lighting upgrade completed in December 2024, have ensured its enduring visibility in the Syracuse skyline.

Today, the Niagara Mohawk Building remains a symbol of technological faith and civic pride, celebrated for both its design and its enduring glow.