The History of the Building

  • Built in 1895 as the “City National Bank”
  • 7 stories, including lower level
  • Stone front, brick sides and back
  • Approximately 20,000 square feet usable space
  • Lower level originally housed public baths, bank vault
  • 1st (Main) Floor was the bank
    • Main banking room has skylight and glass block floor over approximately one-third of the floor
      • Designed so that light from the skylight would pass through glass block floor and provide some natural light to public bath rooms below.
    • Ceilings are 15’ and feature egg and dart, and dental molding
    • Main room, outer vestibule, main foyer and elevator lobby have Tennessee Pink marble floors and White Carrera marble wainscot
    • Small “Library” in back of main floor featured stone fireplace and spiral staircase to library mezzanine
      • Mezzanine not original to building; probably added in late 60’s, early 70’s
  • Monumental Staircase – Wrought Iron with mahogany handrail and slate steps features fleur de lis and rosette design
  • Floors 2-6 – originally office floors
    • U-shaped layout creates “light well” for skylight below
    • East wing and west wing offices connected by lobby featuring same Tennessee Pink marble flooring and White Carrera marble wainscot used on main floor
    • Offices have transoms along inside walls to maximize natural light
    • Oak woodwork
    • All offices have interconnecting doors
  • Infrastructure
    • Combination gas & electric lights
      • Electricity available limited hours in 1896; unreliable
      • Heated by huge boiler, probably fueled by coal
      • Cage elevator
      • Outside fire escape
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