On the first Friday in June, Albany Center Gallery returns to its roots with a FREE satellite exhibit at 17 Chapel Boutique Condominiums in Downtown Albany. ACG will be transforming the unfinished Schuyler Penthouse, suite 702, into a gallery space. Fifteen local artists will showcase their work in the former home building (1987-2001) of Albany’s premier gallery, which this year celebrates 35 years of promoting regional art.

For culinary enthusiasts, the Chefs on Parade celebrity cooking competition coincides with this event. It will feature the cuisine of renowned local chef Carmine Sprio of Carmine’s Brazillian Grill. As part of the CRBRA Parade of Homes, chef Carmine will prepare a variety of hors d’oeuvres right before your eyes. Proceeds from the event will benefit Albany Center Gallery as well as the American Cancer Society. Tickets ($10) include event admission, tour, food sampling, art exhibit and can be purchased the night of event at 17 Chapel.

To view the full Chefs on Parade event at 13 wonderful new homes throughout the Capital Region, you can purchase tickets at Albany Center Gallery for $35. For more information, please visit the Parade of Homes Website at www.CRBRA.com.

Or, if you prefer the visual arts over culinary arts – or would like to make it free evening – spend the rest of the evening in Albany for 1st Friday.

Exhibiting artists in the gallery include Exhibiting Artists include Bob Anderson, Sébastien Barré, David Brickman, Newbold Bohemia, Michael Cunningham, Dorothy Englander, Sarah Haze, Bill Jaeger, Sylvie Kantorovitz, Kathleen Loomis, Willie Marlowe, Timothy McMurray, Mike Millspaughski, Brian Mungavin, Thomasa Dwyer Nielsen, Deborah Regimbald, Larry Rosenmann, Terry Slade and Jacqueline Weaver.

The gallery will be open from 5 pm – 10 pm on Friday, June 1st 2012.

Facebook Event Page: http://www.facebook.com/events/410838438946515/

On June 2, 3, 9 & 10, our model condos at 17 Chapel Street in Downtown Albany will be a part of this annual event. We hope we see you there!

Master Bathroom in Grand Hudsonview Suite 501

There are some special events this week as well:

Wednesday, May 16

Showhouse open 10:30 am – 7:00 pm (Last admission 6 PM)

2:00 p.m. – DESIGNER SEMINAR: “Interior Design Be It Urban Condos or the Suburbs” by Michel Patterson (Hudson River Fine Interiors), Designer of 501 Study- Seminar location: 305 Cafe

Thursday, May 17

Showhouse open 10:30 am – 7:00 pm (Last admission 6 PM)

5:30 p.m. – DESIGNER TOUR: Lynn Ricci (Classic Interiors), Designer for 501 Master Suite

Friday, May 18

Showhouse open 10:30 am – 4:00 pm (Last admission 3 PM)

10:45 a.m. – DESIGNER TOUR: Stacy Snell (Design on 20), Designer for 302 Master Suite and 501 Powder Room

Saturday, May 19

Showhouse open 10:30 am – 5:00 pm (Last admission 4 PM)

2:00 p.m. – HISTORICAL WALKING TOUR of Downtown Albany with Tony Opalka, Historian for the City of Albany

 Sunday, May 20

Showhouse open noon – 5:00 pm (Last admission 4 PM)

View the full list of all the Downtown happenings, events, shows, drink and dinner specials by clicking here.

Tuesday May 1st

Vanguard Showhouse Opening Day
Special Rate for Downtown Employees $15
(RSVP by clicking here)

• 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM Vanguard Showhouse Opening Day

Wednesday May 2nd

• 10:30 AM – 7:00 PM Vanguard Showhouse Open (Visit Plus Package $25)
• 1:00 PM Showhouse Tour
• 2:00 PM Designer Seminar – “Small Spaces, Special Gardens” by Jaqueline McClory, of JM Designs, and Designer for Roof Deck Garden at 17 Chapel.
• Tour and Tea at Ten Broeck Mansion.

Thursday May 3rd

Downtown Albany’s Renaissance
Downtown Albany Business Improvement District Package $18
(RSVP by clicking here)

• 10:30 AM – 7:00 PM Vanguard Showhouse Open
• 3:00 PM Showhouse Tour
• 4:00 PM Downtown Development Walking Tour with Georgette Steffens, Executive Director of the Downtown Albany BID and Mike Yevoli, Commissioner of Economic Development and Planning for the City of Albany and President of Capitalize Albany. Everyone will meet in the Lobby at 17 Chapel.
• 5:00 PM Happy Hour with BID and Capitalize Albany staff at Blue 82.
  One drink coupon provided.

Friday May 4th

• 10:30 AM – 7:00 PM - Vanguard Showhouse Open
• 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM Special Evening Rate $12
• 5:00 – 9:00 PM Downtown Albany Blues Music Competition (free)
• Come out and listen to 13 blues groups compete to win three coveted spots at the Alive @ 5 Blues Night this summer. The event is free and acts are depending on you to come out and vote for the evening’s favorites.
• Free trolley between the venues from 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM.

Saturday May 5th

• 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM Vanguard Showhouse Open
• 12:30 PM Designer Days – Meet the designers in their Showhouse rooms.
• 5:00 PM Vanguard Showhouse Tour and Box Dinner from Yono’s - Limited space. Please call for info and reservations 518.366.2022
• 7:30 PM Simply Sinatra Pops Special! Steve Lippia, a modern Sinatra with his own unique musical interpretation performs all the classic Sinatra hits at The Palace Theatre.

More information about Vanguard can be found on their website. For pictures, interviews with designers, and more information about the 2012 Vanguard Showhouse, click here to visit our blog.

Learn more about 17 Chapel.

To visit the Vanguard-Albany Symphony, Inc. website, click here.

Beginning on the roof top deck, the Preview Party began under a gorgeous blue sky with views of the Hudson River and multitude of steeples, spires, town homes and high-rises that make up the unique Albany skyline. The tour then continued down through four separate condos totaling over 7,000 total square feet of uniquely designed spaces. Ranging from contemporary to French countryside, the designers of each room offered visitors their interpretation of “urban elegance” with varying fancies and styles. The Showhouse is all about inspiring the creativity of guests to take pieces of what they’ve seen to their own homes, and the enthusiastic crowd was clearly in awe of the transformation that has transpired. Whatever your taste may be, this year’s Showhouse has something for everyone!

Vanguard Showhouse 2012 - Grand Hudsonview Kitchen

After walking through the beautifully decorated showhomes and lavishly decorated hallways, the tour concluded on the third floor, where guests can buy various design elements at the Café or view local art provided by the Albany Center Gallery. Down the hallway, many stopped in to our design center to find out more information on how to build their own Showhouse at 17 Chapel.

As the afternoon drew to an end, the party continued next door at Zone 5 where Vanguard treated everyone with a spectacular Gala catered by the Old Daley Inn. Designers, Vanguard members and guests mingled and talked of their favorite rooms and ideas as the sun set on what turned out to be an incredible event.

The Vanguard Showhouse will be open to the public for three weeks beginning tomorrow, May 1^st. Check the website www.vanguard-aso.org for scheduling of special seminars and group events and information on free parking.  Hours are also located here on our website.

The schedule for the event includes:

3:00 p.m. Ribbon cutting at 17 Chapel with Mayor Jennings and Maestro David Alan Miller

3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Meet the 2012 Showhouse Designers

4:30- 7:00  p.m. Preview party next door at Zone 5, Catered by Old Daley Inn.

Admission: $80 per person.

RSVP by April 23 using the form on the Vanguard Showhouse website.

Tuesdays & Fridays: 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Wednesdays & Thursdays: 10:30 AM – 7:00 PM

Saturdays: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Sundays: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Showhouse Calendar of Events – PDF Download

Admission is $18. Last admittance one hour before closing.

The annual Designer Showhouse is Vanguard Albany Symphony’s major fundraiser. It is held over a three-week period each spring. This year Vanguard is stepping into a new territory with the 32nd annual Designer Showhouse “Urban Elegance”, at 17 Chapel Street, Albany, NY. The Showhouse will dazzle you with the beauty of 21st century condominium living with four distinct floor plans ranging from 1,600 to 2,300 sq. feet. Each spectacular home surrounds you with beautiful design elements and magnificent views of the Albany architecture and Hudson River.

More information on the full event including prices, preview gala seminar series, group packages, gift shop, cafe lunch and reservations are available online at www.vanguard-aso.org or by calling 518-366-2022.

Historic Albany Foundation is a private, not-for-profit membership organization working to promote the preservation and appreciation of the built environment in and around the city of Albany. Since 1974, Historic Albany Foundation has fulfilled its mandate through public education, promotion and membership, provision of design and technical assistance, community projects, advocacy for endangered buildings, publications, tours, lectures and operation of an architectural parts warehouse.

Historic Albany Foundation will be presenting this award at its annual meeting which takes place on May 8th, 2012 at 5:30 PM at the Albany County Courthouse at 16 Eagle Street.

Designers Mary Korzinski and Patty Connors of Custom Design Associates in Clifton Park, NY were in charge of the faux finishing, furniture, window treatments and decor in this space, which is the Great Room of Suite 302.

This condo, our Stuyvesant model, features two bedrooms, two bathrooms and 1675 spacious square feet of living space. Contact us for more information about owning a home like this.

The Showhouse opens May 1st.

…As I looked into the building, located near the Palace and Capital Rep theaters and several of my favorite restaurants, my objections to owning a home were rebutted point by point…

…It’s exactly where I want to live. In fact, it’s literally next door to my beloved loft building of 13 years, and being downtown makes me feel involved in the city’s vibrancy…

…Finally, and the biggest thrill for me: I’d get to select each surface, finish, cabinet, tile, knob, handle, drawer pull and fixture. This meant specifying everything from quantity and location of electrical outlets to type of countertop to paint colors and appliances…

Read the full story here.