First National City Bank

History and architecture

The First National City Bank is an outstandingly handsome bank building, executed in granite and designed in a truly monumental scale. Occupying an entire city block, this imposing building impresses many observers even more than its higher neighbors.

Despite its unified appearance, this remarkable building represents two stages or periods in its construction. The great monolithic Ionic columns of the lower colonnade belong to the Greek Revival period of architecture of the 1830s' while the very attractive upper colonnade represents an addition of the early part of the Twentieth Century. The upper colonnade is traditionally correct as it superimposes Corinthian columns above Ionic, in accordance with Classic precedent.

The placing of one colonnade upon another is a familiar theme derived from Classical Greek and Roman architecture, as seen in the Coliseum in Rome with three tiers and in various Forums, or market places, with two tiers.

Here the attic story also forms a conspicuous part of the architectural design, and therefore the building recreates a Renaissance theme of such architects as Andrea Palladio. His Sixteenth Century Palazzo Bonin Thiene at Vicenza is a fine prototype for the bank.

The lower portion of the bank was built for the Merchants Exchange as a fireproof building replacing the old Exchange building burned in the Great Fire of 1835. The new Merchants Exchange was designed by Isaiah Rogers, architect of several fine Greek Revival hotels both here and in other cities.

In 1862 this building became the United States Custom House. "When the Custom House finally moved to the Battery, the National City Bank saved this building by acquiring it. The upper portion of the building represents the skillful addition made for the National City Bank in 1907 by McKim, Mead & White, the outstanding firm of architects of that day.

As one of the few truly monumental Classical buildings of this City, the First National City Bank is important as an example of great commercial power, visibly expressed in stone and mortar. It is also a remarkably successful example of how a former generation preserved one of our most notable buildings. This was accomplished by doubling its size while successfully maintaining good proportions and adhering to the formal traditions of Classical architecture.