SYRACUSE, N.Y. — National Grid’s nearly 100-year-old Art Deco building in Downtown Syracuse is one of the most recognizable buildings in Central New York.

The historic structure, widely recognized for its adjustable lighting that marks various holidays and responds to community requests, embarked on a comprehensive, multi-year restoration project beginning in December. The primary focus of this project is to address and repair general wear and tear, reinforce areas with structural deficiencies, and preserve the building’s unique historical characteristics. This initiative is essential to ensure that the structure continues to serve as a vibrant, fully functional office environment, supporting the daily activities of the hundreds of National Grid employees based at the Downtown Syracuse campus.

“Our historic Art Deco building stands as a symbol of both community and company pride,” said Srividya Madhusudhan, National Grid New York Vice President of Operations Support. “This restoration is about more than preserving a beautiful and iconic landmark; it’s about safeguarding the structural integrity of a workplace that serves more than 2,000 employees and continues to inspire the Central New York community. By addressing these essential repairs, we ensure that this vibrant, historic space remains a source of pride and functionality for generations to come.”

The first phase involves repairs to the front doors facing Erie Boulevard West. A motor vehicle rammed the doors in May 2024, destroying three of the building’s original stainless steel doors, and damaging the terrazzo floor and glass panels in the vestibule. New doors were fabricated by Rooted Construction Management & Architectural Fabrication in Manlius, and finished to match the remaining 1932 doors on the building. Original push bars from two of the damaged doors were salvaged and will be utilized; the third is being replicated to match. The door installation will be completed by January 2026.

Additional work includes:

• Revitalizing Signature Panels: The building’s distinctive black spandrel panels will be replaced with durable, glass fiber-reinforced concrete replicas. These panels will reproduce the original ornate designs while improving longevity and resistance to water infiltration, all without altering the surrounding brick or stainless-steel features.
• Brickwork: Where repairs require brick infill, materials will be sourced from the original local manufacturer to maintain the building’s historic integrity.
• Parapet and Flashing Repairs: Non-original copper flashing is deteriorating and will be removed. Original stone parapet caps will be reset on resealed walls, resolving water leaks and preserving the building’s historic aesthetic.
• Decorative Stainless Steel & Glass Work: Stainless steel and acrylic light covers above the doors have absorbed more than 90 years of wind, rain, snow and other environmental impacts. They will be replaced, as will one of the stainless steel door frame dividers.
• Interior Details Preserved: Inside the vestibule, restoration will include repairing a decorative stainless-steel divider, and installing new light covers. These efforts will maintain the building’s signature symmetry and Art Deco elegance.
• New roofing: The current roof has reached the end of its useful life and has been patched multiple times. A new roof will seal the building from water leaks and other elements.

In 2024, community leaders and employees celebrated the building’s new exterior lighting system. Originally installed in 1932, the lights were turned off in 1939 for World War II blackouts, then restored with color capabilities in 2000. After a 2022 malfunction, the building remained dark until repairs restored illumination in 2024.

The project is being designed by Nelson Associates Architectural Engineers of Clinton, N.Y, which is tasked with meeting the historical restoration requirements and specifications of the City of Syracuse Landmark Preservation Board, which administers the city’s Preservation Ordinance governing exterior alterations to designated sites or properties in preservation districts. The Niagara Mohawk Building, also known as the Niagara Hudson Building, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2010.

The historic Art Deco building on Erie Boulevard West was built in 1932 as the main office of the Niagara Hudson Power Company – a predecessor of Niagara Mohawk and, later, National Grid. Designed by the late Melvin King of Syracuse with consulting architects Bley & Lyman from Buffalo, the building is adorned with a 28-foot winged stainless-steel sculpture called “The Spirit of Light,” representing the spread of electricity during that era.

The 112-foot-tall, seven-story building on Erie Boulevard West at Franklin Street is one of three structures that comprise National Grid’s offices in Syracuse.

Niagara Mohawk Building Facts

• Built in 1932 as the Niagara Hudson building, the predecessor company to Niagara Mohawk and National Grid.
• Originally illuminated to symbolize the era of electricity; lights went dark in 1939 due to World War II blackouts and never relit.
• Exterior lighting was restored in 2000 and upgraded in 2024 with 600+ LED fixtures in 2024.
• Recognized for its Art Deco design, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2010.
• The 112-foot-tall building spans 90,000 square feet over eight floors and serves as part of National Grid’s Syracuse offices.
• Features a 28-foot stainless steel “Spirit of Light” sculpture on its façade, symbolizing the spread of electricity during the era.

About National Grid

National Grid (NYSE: NGG) delivers electricity and natural gas to more than 20 million people across New York and Massachusetts. We’re committed to meeting our customers’ energy needs and supporting economic growth across the regions we serve—providing safe, reliable energy today and building the resilient networks of the future. National Grid Ventures, our commercial business, develops and operates infrastructure that delivers affordable and reliable energy to consumers. National Grid Partners, our corporate investment and innovation arm, invests in and collaborates with technology companies that are transforming the energy sector and accelerating industry-wide innovation.