Blasdel Building

209 E Musser St, Carson City, NV

Constructed in 1956.

The Blasdel Building has been called the "ugliest building in Nevada" by some. Named for Nevada's second governor, Henry Blasdel, it was conceived and built as part of a 1950's plan to demolish the State Capitol and replace it with four "modern" office buildings arranged around a central quad. (Ever notice how many regrettable architectural decisions were made during the 50's and 60's?)

Constructing the Blasdel Building was phase one of the State Planning Board's oh-so-brilliant scheme. Fortunately, right around the time Blasdel was completed, the State Legislature stepped in and passed a resolution forbidding the demolition of the Capitol. So the other three buildings were never built, and Blasdel was left squeezed into this awkward spot, breathing down the Capitol's neck.

The back of the Blasdel Building, which would have been the "front", facing out towards an imaginary quad. See how close it is to the State Capitol, on the left?

Today the building houses a variety of state offices. Its post-war, concrete-and-glass design doesn't fit in at all with the other stone buildings in the Capitol complex, and several legislators have called for it to be torn down. Given the more pressing situation at the Kinkead Building, as well as the building's overall structural soundness, I don't think Blasdel is going anywhere.

One cool thing about the Blasdel Building is this State Seal inlaid into the wall.