Brick by brick: Keeping the lost art of masonry alive

Happy Tuesday, Capital Region! Today, we’re paying homage to the beauty of brick with the Upstate Masonry Institute. Plus, we’re giving away two tickets to Drink Schenectady, and appreciating the rustic charm of our adorable Home of the Week👇️ 

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

Keeping the beauty of brick alive

In a city built on brick and stone, the art of masonry is quietly slipping away. 

“It’s a lost art,” says Bailey Reid, director of marketing and business development for the Albany-based Upstate Masonry Institute. “But it doesn’t have to be.”

From the lovely granite facade of the remarkable State Capitol to the intricate brickwork in Albany’s Mansion District and other historic neighborhoods, masonry is baked into the character of the Capital Region. Yet today, fewer buildings are going up with brick, block, or stone. And fewer skilled masons are around to build—or restore—the ones that already exist.

The culprit? A preference for modern materials like steel and glass, and the desire for faster, cheaper builds.

“There’s this idea that masonry is more expensive,” Bailey says. “But when you look at long-term durability, fire safety, and insurance savings, brick often comes out ahead.”

Instead of brick or stone, more commercial builds are leaning on wood framing—it’s cheaper on labor but costly in other ways. “Brick buildings last longer, are more resistant to mold, and stand up better to wear and tear,” Bailey says.

Meanwhile, the number of trained masons continues to decline across the country, with many nearing retirement. That’s where Bailey and the Upstate Masonry Institute come in—trying to turn the tide through outreach, education, and workforce development. They’re pushing to restart hands-on BOCES programs, offer apprenticeship pipelines, and even spark curiosity in middle schoolers.

This isn’t just about nostalgia. It’s a real career path. Apprentices start earning over $20 an hour, and journeymen can pull in over $60 an hour with benefits, after about five years of apprenticing. “It’s hard work,” Bailey says, “but it’s honest work. You’re building things that last.”

Bailey sees a lot of opportunity in restoration work, especially in a historic city like Albany. “We’ve got incredible architecture here. These buildings tell stories. We just need people who can preserve them.”

Some standout examples of masonry in the city include the SUNY Plaza (formerly the Delaware & Hudson Railroad Company Building); Albany City Hall, Cathedral of All Saints, the Palace Theatre, St. Mary’s Church, and so many others.

In a world of copy-and-paste developments, masonry still makes a place feel like home and unique. “There’s so much beauty in brick and stone,” she adds. “When you lose that, you lose a piece of culture.”

Thankfully, we’re seeing more developers returning to brick and stone in new and exciting ways, such as installing “designer bricks” in eye-catching patterns. “Masonry is having a moment,” the NY Times’ Real Estate section proclaimed in 2021.

At The 518, we’re fortunate to live in an 1874 Italianate row house built by Isaac Battin, engineer and supervisor of the now-defunct Albany Gas Works. Our home is made from solid brick and has stood the test of time beautifully. It will be here long after we’re gone, and we wouldn’t dream of painting over the elegant, original brick facade. Long live the brick 🧱

🍻 🚀 This Saturday, Drink Schenectady, a popup tasting and marketplace, takes over miSci. This is an awesome opportunity to sample dozens of the best brews and spirits in New York State while exploring the museum’s hands-on science exhibits.

🎟️ 🎟️ We have 2 tickets to give away 🎟️ 🎟️ Enter to win by subscribing to the newsletter here. Already subscribed? Yay, we love you. Current subscribers can tag two friends on this Instagram post to enter the contest. We’ll announce the winner on Thursday!

🚧 One lone house has stood in the way of Costco coming to Guilderland, next to Crossgates Mall. Until now. After years of holding out, the owner finally sold their modest home to the development company. The price tag: a cool $1.15 million. Guess it pays to be the last house standing. [Times Union] See a photo of the house here.

🏠️ Albany 10th ward councilor Owusu Anane wants to change the city’s single-family zoning to allow for ADUs (additional dwelling units). He sees it as a part of the solution for the city’s affordable housing crisis—but there’s pushback from the Albany fire chief, among others. [WAMC]

🚨 Albany has given out a staggering 89,000 speeding tickets at $50 a pop as part of its school zone speed enforcement program. So far, the city has collected $2 million in fees since we wrote about it last October. Slow your roll and drive below 30 mph in front of these Albany schools, or you too will be paying your dues 😉

This rustic Adirondack-style bungalow in Voorheesville features stunning views of the nearby Helderberg Mountains, hardwood floors throughout, and a fully finished attic. Relax on the oversized screened porch or cozy up to the wood stove in winter. Other highlights include a fully fenced backyard, large garage with loft, new driveway, front deck, and rear gutters. A top-rated school district is the cherry on top of this cute-as-a-button starter home.

The deets: 2 bd, 1 ba, 892 sf. Asking: $235,000. Days on market: 3. See the full listing here. This property is already fielding multiple offers!

Our full weekend roundup publishes on Thursday! Keep an eye on your inbox.

🌷 Spring is for the youth. First Friday Albany returns this week, and it’s a real family affair with K-12 art openings at Albany Center Gallery, several public library branches, and Albany City Hall—plus a bunch of stuff for grown folks too, including Jordan Taylor Hill and Friends at Opalka Gallery.

🧘‍♂️ Osi Audu: The Self in African Art is giving Opalka a good reason to put on some great events! On Thursday, catch a yoga class with Carrie Will of Yoga Care, and enjoy the Kids Art Workshop on Saturday.

📸 Speaking of the youth, give your media-obsessed high schooler a break from doomscrolling this summer with photo classes at UAlbany with Prof. Allison Debritz. Classes offered: Portfolio Prep Class | Darkroom Photography | Digital Collage | Email contact: [email protected]

🖼️ Friday is the last day to see History Lessons and Vito Acconci: Under-History Lessons at the UAlbany Art Museum.

🤠 Tonight Tom Green: Home to the Country comes to the Cohoes Music Hall

🎷 Also tonight is the 33rd Annual Food For Thought & All That Jazz at SUNY Schenectady Community College featuring “epicurean delights and toe-tapping jazz.”

🎮️ On Saturday and Sunday, EMPAC hosts the 2025 ECAC Spring Showdown: Intercollegiate Esports Competition.

🎙️ Today through Sunday at Proctors catch Funny Girl, a Broadway revival sparkling with celebrated, classic songs.

💃 There’s something funny under the dance floor at The Fuze Box, and it’s closed indefinitely for repairs… actually, April Fools! Albany’s hot spot for hotties releases its April calendar tomorrow.

🛞 If you love the demolition derbies at the fair as much as we do, then prepare to pump up the crash with the Monster Jam at the MVP Arena this weekend.

Looking ahead: The Music Experience at The Egg on May 10 is part storytelling, part rock show. Listen to the fascinating story behind 16 of the most iconic songs of all time, from The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Nirvana, U2 and more! Each song will then be performed live on stage. Special for our subscribers: Use promo code THE518 to get a $10 discount on all tickets here.

GET YOUR EVENT ON THE LIST 🎸

Sundays are the deadline to be included in the coming week’s list!

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