Bank of Italy (Livermore, California)

Last updated
Bank of Italy
Bank of Italy (Livermore, CA).JPG
Bank of Italy in Livermore
Location2250 1st Street, Livermore, California
Coordinates 37°40′57″N121°46′07″W / 37.682422°N 121.768475°W / 37.682422; -121.768475
Built1921;103 years ago (1921)
ArchitectEdward T. Foulkes
Architectural style Second Renaissance RevivalNeoclassical architecture
NRHP reference No. 78000648 [1]
Added to NRHPNovember 16, 1978

Bank of Italy Building is a historical building in Livermore, California. The Bank of Italy Building was built in 1921. The Building was listed to the National Register of Historic Places on April 15, 1994. The Bank of Italy Building was designed by Edward T. Foulkes in the Second Renaissance Revival and Neoclassical architecture. The building is made of bricks from the Livermore Fire Brick Company, with marble floors. When opened it was the San Francisco's Bank of Italy's 13th branch till 1957. The building became The City of Livermore's City Hall from 1957 to 1978. The building later became Bank of America's thirteenth branch till 1991. In 1991 the building was sold to the Seppalas, who updated the building, elevator added and did seismic updates. In 1963 the building as housed The Independent newspaper that serves the cities of Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton and Sunol. [2] A marker was place on the building in July 1987 by the Livermore Heritage Preservation Commission. [3] [4]

Contents

The Bank of Italy Building headquarters in San Francisco Financial District is also on the National Register of Historic Places. Bank of Italy Buildings in other California cities are also on the National Register of Historic Places: Bank of Italy (Fresno, California), Bank of Italy (Paso Robles, California), Bank of Italy Building (San Jose, California), Bank of Italy (Tracy, California), and Bank of Italy (Visalia, California).

Description of Physical Appearance

This building, designed in the "Renaissance Revival" style, stands at the intersection of First Street. The front-facing First Street spans about forty-seven feet in length and thirty-five feet in height. It features three semi-circular arched openings, each approximately eight feet wide and twenty-one feet high, symmetrically spaced along the facade. The central opening serves as the main entrance, featuring glazing above the door that matches the adjacent window openings. The flanking openings are fitted with wood sash windows containing clear glass. All openings are set back to create pronounced shadow effects, with window sills resting about four feet above the sidewalk on a solid stone-grade beam running around the building's perimeter.

The remaining portion of the facade consists of fourteen courses of rusticated cut stone, interspersed with single pilasters projecting three inches from the facade between each of the three main openings, and double pilasters at the building's corners. These pilasters are rusticated to harmonize with the facade wall and are adorned with intricately carved bases and Corinthian capitals. Each arched opening is crowned by a keystone bearing the sculpted likeness of a woman's head. Above the pilaster capitals, an architrave, taenia, and entablature embellished with relief sculptures of the French "Fleur-de-lis" flank the central name inscription "Bank of Italy." This ensemble is capped by a stone cornice featuring decorative elements like egg and dart motifs, simulated beam ends, or triglyphs, and a coffered soffit. A balustrade of turned balusters lines the roof perimeter, with square posts aligning with the pilasters below and topped by a simple rail. Positioned above the central arched opening on the roof is a white-painted flagpole.

Facing South Livermore Avenue, the facade mirrors that of First Street, measuring approximately sixty-three feet long and thirty-five feet high. It replicates the fenestration of the First Street facade but features four arched window openings instead of a doorway, with no flagpole atop the roof. The remaining two facades abut adjacent buildings and lack ornamentation. Despite the passage of time, the exterior of the building remains largely unchanged from its original design. [5]

Significance

The Livermore City Council officially recognized the building as a historical structure on December 12, 1977, in accordance with Chapter 11 of Sections 1 and 2 of Ordinance 905, adopted on December 13, 1976, and Ordinance 906, adopted on December 20, 1976.

Alfred J. Storm was commissioned by the Bank of Italy on May 17, 1921, to construct the building, intended to serve as the 13th branch of what is now known as the Bank of America, the world's largest banking system. Throughout construction, the Bank of Italy temporarily operated out of adjacent offices on Lizzie Street, now S. Livermore Ave.

The branch officially opened on January 3, 1922, under the management of Charles Arnette Smith. Among the first customers were Lloyd Henry Lassen and Zelda Hazel Lassen, prominent local farmers. The local Chamber of Commerce hosted a reception and dinner on the opening evening, with Mr. Thomas W. Norris, President of the competing First National Branch of Livermore, serving as the Toastmaster.

The City of Livermore purchased the building for use as City Hall on August 28, 1957. Over the ensuing three decades, Livermore's population swelled from 12,000 to over 48,000 residents. Designated as "City Hall" during this period of substantial growth, the building has been central to the city's governance. However, due to expanding needs, Livermore will soon transition to a newly constructed City Hall Center.

Recognized as a landmark, the granite-faced building holds significance not only for its historical and architectural merits but also for its position across from other historical structures of similar era and style within Livermore's center.

Architecturally notable as a Second Renaissance Revival bank building from the early 20th century, the Bank of Italy stands as a prime example of neoclassical architecture that adorned California's townscape during that period. [6]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bank of California Building (Portland, Oregon)</span> Historic former bank building in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

The Bank of California Building, also known as the Durham & Bates Building and currently the Three Kings Building, is a historic former bank building in downtown Portland, Oregon, United States. It has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1978. The three-story building was designed by A. E. Doyle in an Italianate style and completed in 1925. The ground floor features a two-story-high grand room with 36-foot (11 m) ceilings. The building's original owner and occupant, the Bank of California, moved out around the end of 1969 and sold the building in 1970. It has had a succession of other owners and tenants since then. It was last used as a bank in 1977.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alamo Plaza Historic District</span> Historic district in Texas, United States

The Alamo Plaza Historic District is an historic district of downtown San Antonio in the U.S. state of Texas. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. It includes the Alamo, which is a separately listed Registered Historic Place and a U.S. National Historic Landmark.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frank M. Johnson Jr. Federal Building and United States Courthouse</span> United States historic place

The Frank M. Johnson Jr. Federal Building and United States Courthouse is a United States federal building in Montgomery, Alabama, completed in 1933 and primarily used as a courthouse of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama. The building is also known as United States Post Office and Courthouse—Montgomery and listed under that name on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1992, it was renamed by the United States Congress in honor of Frank Minis Johnson, who had served as both a district court judge and a court of appeals judge. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elbert P. Tuttle United States Court of Appeals Building</span> United States historic place

The Elbert P. Tuttle U.S. Court of Appeals Building, also known as U.S. Post Office and Courthouse, is a historic Renaissance Revival style courthouse located in the Fairlie-Poplar district of Downtown Atlanta in Fulton County, Georgia. It is the courthouse for the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Post Office, Courthouse, and Custom House (Spokane, Washington)</span> United States historic place

The Federal Building and U.S. Post Office, Spokane, Washington is a historic post office, courthouse, and custom house building at Spokane in Spokane County, Washington. It is a courthouse for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Post Office and Courthouse (Charleston, South Carolina)</span> United States historic place

The U.S. Post Office and Courthouse is a historic post office and courthouse located at Charleston in Charleston County, South Carolina. The building and its annexes serve the federal court for the Charleston Division of the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. David Catholic Church</span> Historic church in Maine, United States

St. David Catholic Church is a historic church at 774 Main Street in Madawaska, Maine. Built in 1911, it is an architecturally distinctive blend of Baroque revival and Italian Renaissance revival architecture. The congregation was the first separate Roman Catholic congregation established in Madawaska, the result of many years' struggle, after the international border divided the French Catholic community here in 1842. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rosaly–Batiz House</span> Historic building in Ponce, Puerto Rico

The Rosaly–Batiz House is a historic building located on Villa street in Barrio Primero in Ponce, Puerto Rico, in the city's historic district. The building dates from 1897. It was designed by Manuel V. Domenech, a Puerto Rican architect that was responsible for designing various other now-historic buildings. Domenech built this residence for Ponce mayor Pedro Juan Rosaly. Domenech himself became mayor of Ponce and held numerous other political positions in Puerto Rico. The Batiz Residence is a monument to a great man and his works and a vivid reminder of the aristocracy of the years prior to the Great Depression.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James A. Redden Federal Courthouse</span> United States historic place

The James A. Redden Federal Courthouse, formerly the United States Post Office and Courthouse, is a federal courthouse located in Medford, Jackson County, Oregon, United States. Completed in 1916 under the supervision of architect Oscar Wenderoth, it houses the United States District Court for the District of Oregon. A substantial extension was completed in 1940, under the supervision of architect, Louis A. Simon. In September 1996, the United States Senate enacted a bill introduced by Oregon Senator Mark Hatfield to rename the building for long-serving District Court judge James A. Redden.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">J. Bratton Davis United States Bankruptcy Courthouse</span> United States historic place

The J. Bratton Davis United States Bankruptcy Courthouse is a courthouse of the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, located in Columbia, South Carolina. It was originally constructed in 1936, under the supervision of architect Harold Tatum. The courthouse is named for J. Bratton Davis, a bankruptcy judge first appointed in 1978 who later became Chief Judge of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of South Carolina, and he served in that capacity until 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Old Post Office Building and Customhouse (Little Rock, Arkansas)</span> United States historic place

The Little Rock U.S. Post Office and Courthouse, also known as Old Post Office and Courthouse, in Little Rock, Arkansas, is a historic post office, federal office, and courthouse building located at Little Rock in Pulaski County, Arkansas. It is a courthouse for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waterbury Municipal Center Complex</span> United States historic place

The Waterbury Municipal Center Complex, also known as the Cass Gilbert National Register District, is a group of five buildings, including City Hall, on Field and Grand streets in Waterbury, Connecticut, United States. They are large stone and brick structures, all designed by Cass Gilbert in the Georgian Revival and Second Renaissance Revival architectural styles, built during the 1910s. In 1978 they were designated as a historic district and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. They are now contributing properties to the Downtown Waterbury Historic District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pioneer State Bank No. 36</span> United States historic place

The Pioneer State Bank No. 36 is a bank building located at 4046 Huron Street (M-90) in the village of North Branch in North Branch Township in northern Lapeer County, Michigan. The bank stands as the oldest bank institution in North Branch. It was designated as a Michigan State Historic Site on October 23, 1979 and later added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 22, 1982.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Post Office (Berkeley, California)</span> United States historic post office

The U.S. Post Office, also known as the Berkeley Main Post Office, is a local branch of the United States Postal Service. The building, located at 2000 Allston Way, Berkeley, California, was built in 1914–15. The building has been described as a "free adaptation of Brunelleschi's Foundling Hospital." Designed in the Second Renaissance Revival style, the front of the building features terra cotta arches supported by plain tuscan columns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Old City Hall Historic District</span> Historic district in Washington, United States

The Old City Hall Historic District is located on a bluff at the north end of Tacoma's business district, overlooking Commencement Bay. The Old City Hall and the Northern Pacific Office Building stabilize the northern boundary of the district and the Pantages Theatre/Jones Building just south of the district boundary, complements the Winthrop Hotel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northbank Center</span> United States historic place

The Northbank Center, formerly known as the Industrial Savings Bank Building, is an office and educational building located at 432 North Saginaw Street in Flint, Michigan. The building is now part of University of Michigan–Flint. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brooklyn Trust Company Building</span> Mixed-use building in Brooklyn, New York

The Brooklyn Trust Company Building is a bank and residential building at 177 Montague Street in the Brooklyn Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn in New York City, New York, United States. Constructed for the Brooklyn Trust Company from 1913 to 1916, it occupies a site between Montague Street to the south, Clinton Street to the west, and Pierrepont Street to the north. The Brooklyn Trust Company Building was designed by York and Sawyer in the Renaissance Revival style and is patterned after the Palazzo della Gran Guardia in the Italian city of Verona. The building's facade and interior are New York City designated landmarks, and the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greenwich Savings Bank Building</span> Historic bank building in Manhattan, New York

The Greenwich Savings Bank Building, also known as the Haier Building and 1356 Broadway, is an office building at 1352–1362 Broadway in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City. Constructed as the headquarters of the Greenwich Savings Bank from 1922 to 1924, it occupies a trapezoidal parcel bounded by 36th Street to the south, Sixth Avenue to the east, and Broadway to the west. The Greenwich Savings Bank Building was designed in the Classical Revival style by York and Sawyer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apple Bank Building</span> Bank and apartment building in Manhattan, New York

The Apple Bank Building, also known as the Central Savings Bank Building and 2100 Broadway, is a bank and residential building at 2100–2114 Broadway on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City. Constructed as a branch of the Central Savings Bank, now Apple Bank, from 1926 to 1928, it occupies a trapezoidal city block bounded by 73rd Street to the south, Amsterdam Avenue to the east, 74th Street to the north, and Broadway to the west. The Apple Bank Building was designed by York and Sawyer in the Renaissance Revival and palazzo styles, patterned after an Italian Renaissance-style palazzo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Los Gatos Historic Commercial District</span> Historic district in California, United States

The Los Gatos Historic Commercial District of Los Gatos, Santa Clara County, California is a designated U.S. Historic District area of the city. The commercial district comprises a collection of commercial buildings that is bounded by both sides of West Main Street, North Santa Cruz Avenue, and University Avenue. These streets form an F-plan layout extending westward from the Main Street bridge situated in the southwestern region of the town of Los Gatos. The district covers the town's original commercial intersection and includes a substantial segment of its 19th-century commercial center. Within this area lies the sole surviving cluster of historic commercial buildings, reasonably well-preserved. The architectural styles within the district span from the Queen Anne style architecture and Richardsonian Romanesque, representing a broad spectrum of design trends, including Art Deco. The Los Gatos Historic Commercial District was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 13, 1991. Today, the historic commercial district remains a commercial hub and plays a role in local tourism.

References

  1. "National Register Information System  (#78000648)". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. "National Register #78000648: Bank of Italy in Livermore, California". noehill.com.
  3. "Bank of Italy Building Historical Marker". www.hmdb.org.
  4. Fehr, Dawnmarie (October 8, 2023). "100 Year Celebration Set for Bank of Italy". The Independent.
  5. "Bank of Italy". National Register of Historic Places. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  6. "Bank of Italy". National Register of Historic Places. Retrieved 9 April 2024.

Commons-logo.svg Media related to Bank of Italy (Livermore, California) at Wikimedia Commons