
The Bowery Savings Bank Building at 130 Bowery has a rich history dating back to the mid-19th century. It was designed by architect Joseph H. Ramshorn in the Italianate style.
The building's design is characterized by a prominent cornice, arched windows, and a rusticated base. These architectural features are hallmarks of the Italianate style.
The building's construction was completed in 1868, making it a significant landmark in the Bowery neighborhood.
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History
The Bowery Savings Bank Building has a rich history that dates back to 1895. The bank planned for its new flagship building and headquarters that same year.
The building committee's instructions to the architectural firms bidding on the contract were clear: they wanted an edifice that would impress with its dignity and fortress-like strength. This led to the selection of the Neoclassical style, with its strong proportions, symmetry, columns, and pediment.
The site presented a challenge, as there was an existing six-floor building at the northwest corner of Bowery and Grand. The bank owned the adjacent lots on either side, and the architects delivered an L-shaped design with dignified façades on both streets.

The façade on the Bowery side features a monumental, coffered arch entrance flanked by a Corinthian column on either side. The entablature above the columns includes a frieze with the bank's name in the center and decorative vines and leaves.
The façade on the Grand Street side is wider and features four Corinthian columns that hold up an identical entablature and pediment to the one on the Bowery side.
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Architecture
The Bowery Savings Bank Building was designed by the renowned architect Stanford White of McKim, Mead & White. It was built between 1893 and 1895.
The building's design is a testament to the Classical Revival and Beaux-Arts styles, which were popular during that time period.
The building was one of three major bank buildings designed by White during the 1890s recession, along with the New York Life Building and the State Savings Bank of Detroit.
The building's design was meant to "stimulate and elevate", according to architectural historian Leland M. Roth, who noted that it was similar to the designs for the Boston Public Library and the World's Columbian Exposition.
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Building
The Bowery Savings Bank Building at 130 Bowery has a rich history dating back to 1834. The bank's original building was a three-story house at 128 Bowery, where it received $2,020 from 50 customers on its first day.
The bank's early success led to a series of expansions, starting with the purchase of an adjacent lot on 130 Bowery in January 1852. Work on the new Italianate structure began in May 1852 and opened in March 1853.
The building's design included a U-shaped tellers' counter, a ceiling skylight, and basement vaults. The bank's officials believed the iron frame would be resistant to burglaries and conflagrations, and a ventilation system was installed in 1865.
The 1895 Building
The 1895 Bowery Savings Bank Building was a major construction project in New York City that year.
The building's design was influenced by the neighborhood's character, with the building committee wanting an edifice that would "impress the beholder with its dignity and fortress-like strength." This led the architects to choose a Neoclassical style, which features strong proportions, symmetry, columns, and a pediment.

McKim, Mead, and White, the architectural firm behind the design, was well-prepared to satisfy the building committee's request. They delivered an L-shaped design with dignified façades on both Bowery and Grand Streets.
The façade on the Bowery side features a monumental, coffered arch entrance flanked by Corinthian columns. The entablature above the columns includes a frieze with the bank's name in the center, decorated with vines and leaves.
The pediment above the entablature features a large clock with an allegorical figure and a domesticated lion on either side, sculpted by Frederick MacMonnies. These figures represent Time and Industry, which are fitting for a bank.
Here's a comparison of the façades on both streets:
The building's design was a response to the existing six-floor building at the northwest corner of Bowery and Grand, which the bank owned adjacent lots on either side of.
Original Structures
The Bowery Savings Bank's original structure is a fascinating piece of history. The bank opened on June 2, 1834, in a three-story house at 128 Bowery.
The site had been occupied by the Butchers' and Drovers' Bank, and the two banks shared the building at first, operating at different times of day. By 1836, the Butchers' and Drovers' Bank relocated next door to 124 Bowery.
The Bowery bank had $3 million in deposits by 1850, which prompted the bank to hire its first paid employees. By then, the bank was growing rapidly and needed more space.
The bank purchased an adjacent lot on 130 Bowery in January 1852, and the firm of Thomas & Son designed an Italianate structure at 128 and 130 Bowery. Work on the edifice commenced in May 1852, and it opened in March 1853.
The second building included a U-shaped tellers' counter, a ceiling skylight, and basement vaults. The bank's deposits continued to grow, reaching $6.5 million in 1863.
Here's a brief timeline of the bank's original structures:
The bank's original structures were designed with security and functionality in mind. The first building had a three-story house, while the second building featured an Italianate structure with a U-shaped tellers' counter and basement vaults.
Site
The Bowery Savings Bank Building is situated on a unique site in Lower Manhattan. It's located at 130 Bowery, where the building wraps around the Bowery Bank of New York Building at 124 Bowery.
The site is bounded by Bowery to the east, Grand Street to the south, and Elizabeth Street to the west, giving it a total depth of 200 feet between Bowery and Elizabeth Street. This non-traditional layout is due to the street grid of the surrounding neighborhood.
The site covers 15,002 square feet, which is a significant amount of space considering the building's L-shape. The current building is the third to be built for the Bowery Savings Bank on this site.
The site was assembled from six land lots: two on Bowery and four on Elizabeth and Grand Streets. The lot at 128 Bowery was previously occupied by the Butchers' and Drovers' Bank, which was founded in 1830 and later became the first building for the Bowery Savings Bank on the site.
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Interior
The interior of the Bowery Savings Bank Building was designed to give the impression of a Roman temple. This is evident in the building's use of marble, which is featured extensively in the teller's counters, walls, and mosaic floors.
The banking room features a double-height coffered ceiling with a square skylight, supported by double-height Corinthian columns. This design element adds to the building's Roman temple-like atmosphere.
Marble is used extensively throughout the interior, including in the teller's counters, walls, and mosaic floors. This luxurious material was likely chosen to convey a sense of wealth and sophistication.
The building's use of cast iron is also noteworthy, with stairs, skylights, and registers all made from this material. The skylights allowed natural light into the building, while the cast-iron registers provided hot air and hot water.
The basement contained a restaurant, an electric plant, and boilers, in addition to heavyweight safes. This level of detail suggests that the building was designed to be a self-sustaining entity.
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After the building was converted into an event venue in 2002, a VIP seating area with a fireplace was added one story above the main banking room. This addition was likely made to provide a more luxurious experience for high-end clients.
The waiting room, which was used mainly by customers who were withdrawing money, was designed to resemble a basilica. This is evident in the building's use of two colonnades of six columns each, which divide the room into five bays.
Banking
The Bowery Savings Bank Building, located at 130 Bowery, has a rich history in the world of banking. It was originally built as a savings bank in 1895.
The building's design was influenced by the Renaissance Revival style, which was popular during the late 19th century. This style is characterized by the use of classical elements and ornate details.
The Bowery Savings Bank was a major financial institution in New York City, serving the community for over 100 years before it merged with another bank in 1995.
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Banking

Banking is a vital part of our daily lives, and understanding how it works can save you money and stress.
The average American bank holds around $10 trillion in deposits, which is a staggering amount of money. This is a testament to the trust people have in their banks.
Online banking has become increasingly popular, with 75% of Americans using online banking services. This convenience allows us to check our accounts, pay bills, and transfer money from the comfort of our own homes.
Mobile banking apps have also become a norm, with many banks offering mobile deposit capabilities. This feature allows users to deposit checks remotely, saving time and effort.
Most banks offer a free checking account option, which can be a great starting point for those who don't need many banking services. However, some banks may charge fees for certain services or activities.
The Federal Reserve regulates banks to ensure they operate safely and soundly. This regulation helps maintain confidence in the banking system.
Many banks offer rewards programs for using their debit or credit cards, such as cashback or travel rewards. These programs can be a great way to earn rewards on your everyday purchases.
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Auction in Unconventional Real Estate
The Bowery Savings Bank building is headed to auction, with Paramount Realty and Atelier WM teaming up to sell the 32,000-square-foot property designed by Gilded Age architect Stanford White.
The auction is not a distressed sale, but rather a motivated sale by the owner, who is hoping to sell the property for a big figure in the current soft real estate market.
Potential bidders will have the opportunity to tour the property before submitting written bids and a $1 million deposit by April 30.
The property will be sold in a live auction-house style auction if more than three serious bids are received, making it a showy spectacle that's sure to draw attention.
Wendy Maitland of Atelier WM has hired curator Rachel Vancelette to stage an exhibition in the building of works by modern and contemporary artists with ties to the area, which will be sold through a digital auction and a live auction on March 13.
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A portion of the proceeds from the art auction will go to No Kid Hungry, adding a charitable element to the event.
The owners of the property, who are receptive to delivering the property tenantless, are hoping the art auction helps to emphasize the positive nature of the building's sale, which they expect could pull in some $50 million.
Impact
The Bowery Savings Bank Building had a profound impact on the surrounding neighborhood. The building's design brought a sense of grandeur to the Bowery, giving it a bit of grandeur.
The building's monumental portico and lofty interior banking hall made it the first truly splendid bank building in New York City. This was according to Henry Hope Reed Jr. in 1984.
The building also served as the architectural anchor of the Bowery in the 20th century. This was when the corridor was a skid row.
Critics praised the building's details, including its marble, brass, and mosaics. Mimi Sheraton of The New York Times wrote that these details would have been awe-inspiring to refugees from the slums of Naples and Canton and the shtetls of Poland and Russia.
The building's interior is still impressive today, with nearly an acre of marble and potted palm trees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Bowery Savings Bank building headed to auction?
The Bowery Savings Bank building was initially expected to be sold at auction for over $50 million, but the auction was cancelled. The building's sale status is currently uncertain due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
What is the history of the Bowery Savings Bank?
The Bowery Savings Bank was founded in 1834 in Manhattan and held the title of largest savings bank in the USA from 1930 to 1976. With over 140 years of history, the bank has a rich and storied past worth exploring.
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