Quackenbush Pumping Station (Historical Factory Site) | Albany

The Albany Pump Station, originally known as the Quackenbush Pumping Station, is a historically significant industrial building located at 19 Quackenbush Square on Broadway in Albany, New York. Built in 1873, it was constructed to serve as a municipal water pumping station, playing a crucial role in Albany’s infrastructure and growth during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Historical Background

Designed by architect Edward Ogden, the Albany Pump Station was established to pump water directly from the Hudson River to the city’s Bleecker Reservoir. This system supported Albany’s expanding population and its increasing industrial and residential water demands at a time when urban growth necessitated reliable public utilities. The pumping station operated for over six decades, until 1937, when the Alcove Reservoir was completed and took over as the primary water source for the city, rendering the pump station obsolete.

In recognition of its architectural and industrial importance, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. Its preservation highlights the significance of Albany’s industrial heritage and the evolution of urban water infrastructure.

Architecture and Industrial Features

The Albany Pump Station is a two-story brick building notable for its utilitarian industrial design:

Materials: Brick construction with a hipped slate roof.

Windows: Large, arched windows that allowed natural light to flood the interior workspace.

Interior: Spacious, open interiors featuring high ceilings supported by original wooden and steel trusses.

Industrial Elements: The building retains original overhead cranes (weighing up to 20 tons), which were used to service heavy machinery and engines. These cranes are now preserved as a historic testament to the building’s industrial function.

Transformation into a Brewpub

In 1999, Neil Evans, a descendant of a historic brewing family, purchased the building and repurposed it as the C.H. Evans Brewing Company. This adaptive reuse project transformed the former pumping station into a brewpub and restaurant while preserving much of the industrial character of the building.

The renovation thoughtfully incorporated original features such as the overhead cranes and high ceilings into the brewpub’s design, creating a unique atmosphere that blended history with a contemporary social space. The brewery quickly gained acclaim for its craft beers, earning awards at major beer competitions including the World Beer Cup and the Great American Beer Festival.

Recent Developments

In October 2023, the C.H. Evans Brewing Company closed its Albany Pump Station location. Subsequently, Common Roots Brewing Company, a craft brewery based in South Glens Falls, New York, took over the site. After renovations to accommodate their operations, Common Roots Brewing officially opened their Albany location in February 2024, continuing the site’s legacy as a community gathering spot centered around craft brewing.

Significance Today

The Albany Pump Station exemplifies successful historic preservation through adaptive reuse. It stands as a monument to Albany’s industrial past, maintaining its architectural integrity and historic features while evolving to meet contemporary community needs.

It preserves a tangible link to Albany’s 19th-century urban development and infrastructure.

It serves as a vibrant cultural and social venue, attracting residents and visitors interested in craft beer, history, and unique architecture.

Its continued use as a brewery and restaurant underscores the importance of preserving historic structures by finding new, economically viable purposes.

In essence, the Albany Pump Station is more than a former factory site—it is a dynamic symbol of Albany’s industrial heritage, adaptive preservation, and modern cultural life.