Albany Historic House Reopened After $3M Restoration

The 1728 Van Ostrande-Radliff House has opened as a public space after a 13-year renovation project.

Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Home Renovation

Screen-print poster illustration of a historic 18th-century brick house facade with a steep Dutch roof, evoking architectural preservation. — The Historic Albany Foundation has reopened the 1728 Van Ostrande-Radliff House at 48 Hudson Avenue after a 13-year, $3 million restoration. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Van Ostrande-Radliff House at 48 Hudson Avenue has reopened as a public space following a comprehensive restoration. The project, which cost more than $3 million, marks the end of a 13-year preservation effort by the Historic Albany Foundation.

Why it matters

This restoration saves a significant piece of local heritage from demolition, transforming a former 20th-century commercial space back into a preserved historic site. It highlights the intensive financial and structural commitment required to stabilize and repair 18th-century timber-framed architecture.

The restoration of the 1728 structure involved stabilizing the original 23-by-33-foot timber frame and required a total investment exceeding $3 million. Work lasted 13 years following the Historic Albany Foundation's 2013 acquisition of the property.

The players

Historic Albany Foundation

A non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of Albany's architectural heritage through property acquisition and restoration projects.

The details

Workers stabilized the historic house by installing new foundation walls to support the original timber framing. The restoration team also lowered the Dutch roof and reconstructed the front wall using custom Dutch-dimension bricks to match the 1728 original construction style. These efforts corrected modifications made when the building functioned as a commercial property during the 20th century.

1728: The Van Ostrande-Radliff House was originally built.
2013: The Historic Albany Foundation acquired the building.
October 6, 2026: The building held a ribbon-cutting and reopened.

The Home Front

This project follows a pattern set by the 2013 acquisition of the Van Ostrande-Radliff House by successfully completing a multi-year effort to prevent the demolition of a landmark site. It highlights the substantial investment and time required to modernize old timber-frame structures for current public safety and building codes.

Homeowners managing historic properties should consult with local preservation specialists before initiating foundation or structural wall repairs. Prioritize stabilizing original timber framing to ensure long-term structural integrity before attempting cosmetic updates.

The takeaway

The reopening of this 1728 site demonstrates how long-term preservation can salvage historic building stocks in aging urban centers. Local residents can visit the newly restored property at 48 Hudson Avenue to view the techniques used to stabilize the original frame.