Early 1900s postcard showing the “Million Dollar Staircase” in the New York State Capitol. H. H. Richardson designed the western staircase, for which construction began in 1884, just two years before his death. Architect Isaac Perry took over the project, seeing it through to its completion in 1898. He made alterations to the design, including the addition of significant sculptural embellishments. As a result, the staircase cost nearly $1,500,000, quickly earning it the name of the “million dollar staircase.”
A few fun facts:
-There are 78 faces carved into the stone, of which seven are women.
-The staircase occupies a space measuring 70 by 77 feet. It is 119 feet tall and is capped with a skylight.
-There are a total of 444 steps.
-Red Scottish sandstone was used in its construction.