We are proud to announce that 17 Chapel will serve as the this year’s Vanguard Showhouse. This morning, Albany Mayor Jennings and Vanguard-Albany Symphony Orchestra announced this monumental creative leap for the immensely popular event.

The Vanguard Showhouse is an annual benefit project for the Albany Symphony Orchestra which redesigns a home in the Capital Region with architectural or historical interest. This is the first time Vanguard has selected a multi-unit housing complex to be designed, decorated, and opened to the public as part of the Vanguard Showcase.  Three condominiums at 17 Chapel will be decorated by area home décor professionals as part of the event.

“Last summer I watched the construction going on at 17 Chapel from the Albany Symphony Orchestra Office,” says Barbara Richer, President, Vanguard, “It struck me that the property would bring a new positive energy and commitment to the Symphony’s downtown Albany neighborhood. The renovation was bringing an existing building, with a deep history of commitment to business and artistic endeavors, back to life. For Vanguard, 17 Chapel represents interest in an area that continues to renew itself.”

“Urban Elegance”, the 2012 Vanguard-Albany Symphony, Inc. Designer Showhouse, will open with a Gala Preview Party on April 29th at a special venue to be decided. The Showhouse will open to the public on Tuesday, May 1st, and run Tuesdays through Sundays until May 20th.

“The Capital Region has some amazing designers and decorative artists. Their talents and skills on display in our chosen venues give them the public exposure they so deserve, and the funds they help us bring in support one of the greatest gems of our area, the Albany Symphony Orchestra,” Richer said.

This year’s Showhouse will be only the second held in downtown Albany and only the third in the City of Albany, “Our Showhouse 2012 at 17 Chapel will be the first of its kind in highlighting an urban lifestyle,” said long-time volunteer and former President and Showhouse Chair Ruth Cook.

The 17 Chapel Street building is a structure full of the history of Albany and of the greater Capital Region. Built circa 1928, the original four-story, cast-in-place concrete building was designed by architect Alexander Selkirk to to house the Livermore-Traendly auto dealership and repair shop.  After 17 Chapel, LLC purchased the property in 2010, the exterior of the building was re-faced with an overall aesthetic inspired by the original modernist structure and mixes in elements of contemporary style, while evoking the historic surroundings of downtown Albany.  Three floors, including a roof deck were added on top of the original building.

“Those attending leave with hundreds of new ideas and contact resources for when they are ready to make changes in their own homes,” Richer said.

Albany Symphony Orchestra’s most significant fund raiser, the Showhouse is expected to attract over 4,000 visitors from the Capital Region and throughout neighboring communities. More information on the full event including prices, preview gala seminar series, group packages, gift shop, cafe lunch and reservations will be available online at www.vanguard-aso.org.