Syracuse, Central New York — National Grid has announced a significant multi-year restoration project for its nearly 100-year-old Art Deco headquarters building at 300 Erie Boulevard West in downtown Syracuse. The restoration initiative, which began in December 2025, represents a substantial investment in preserving one of Central New York's most iconic architectural landmarks while modernizing the structure to serve as a vibrant office environment for over 2,000 National Grid employees.
National Grid's downtown Syracuse building, constructed nearly a century ago, stands as a symbol of both company and community pride. The multi-year restoration project focuses on addressing general wear and tear, reinforcing areas with structural deficiencies, and preserving the building's unique historical characteristics. According to the announcement released December 17, 2025, by CNY Business Journal, the initiative is essential to ensure the structure continues to serve as a fully functional office environment supporting National Grid's growing Central New York operations.
\"This restoration is about more than preserving a beautiful and iconic landmark; it's about safeguarding the structural integrity of a workplace that serves more than 2,000 employees and continues to inspire the Central New York community,\" said Srividya Madhusudhan, National Grid New York VP of operations support.
The first phase of the restoration project addresses damage from a motor vehicle accident that occurred in May 2024. In that incident, a vehicle crashed into the front of the building, destroying three of the building's original stainless-steel doors and damaging the terrazzo floor and glass panels in the vestibule.
National Grid worked with Rooted Construction Management & Architectural Fabrication in Manlius to fabricate new doors finished to match the remaining original doors on the building. Notably, the original push bars from two of the damaged doors were salvaged and will be reused; the third is being meticulously replicated to match the originals. The door installation is scheduled for completion by January 2026.
Beyond the immediate Phase 1 work, National Grid's multi-year restoration roadmap includes significant structural and aesthetic improvements to preserve the building's Art Deco character:
These comprehensive improvements ensure that the National Grid building continues to serve as a functional, safe, and visually impressive workplace while honoring its architectural heritage. The restoration project demonstrates National Grid's commitment to maintaining historic buildings as viable, modern office spaces rather than abandoning them for newer construction.
The National Grid building restoration project represents an important investment in downtown Syracuse's infrastructure and architectural preservation. Historic building restoration projects like this one create construction jobs, support local contractors and craftsmanship, and help revitalize downtown commercial corridors. By reinvesting in existing structures, National Grid demonstrates how large corporations can be stewards of community heritage while maintaining modern workplace functionality.
The project also highlights the broader trend of major employers investing in their downtown facilities. Construction firms specializing in historic preservation—like Rooted Construction Management & Architectural Fabrication—are increasingly in demand as companies recognize the value of maintaining iconic buildings in urban cores. This type of restoration work requires specialized expertise in period-appropriate materials, techniques, and standards, creating opportunities for skilled trades and specialized contractors.
For Syracuse and the Central New York region, projects like the National Grid restoration signal confidence in downtown revitalization efforts. When major employers like National Grid commit to multi-year investments in their facilities, it sends a message to other businesses and property owners that downtown Syracuse remains vibrant and worthy of investment.
National Grid has outlined a phased approach to the restoration project, with the front entrance work targeted for completion by January 2026. The subsequent phases of structural repairs, roofing, and decorative restoration will continue over multiple years, allowing the company to manage costs while minimizing disruption to daily office operations. Additional details on Phase 2 and beyond will be announced as the project progresses.
The National Grid building serves as a daily reminder of Syracuse's industrial heritage and the importance of preserving architectural landmarks for future generations. As construction begins on this significant restoration, residents and downtown workers can look forward to watching this iconic Art Deco structure be restored to its former glory while being equipped with modern systems and safety standards. The project exemplifies how historic preservation and modern functionality can coexist, creating thriving workplaces in established downtowns.
For more information about the National Grid building restoration project, visit National Grid's official website. Learn more about downtown Syracuse development and revitalization efforts through the City of Syracuse and CNY Business Journal.
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